How to Fix Outlook Error 0X8004011d: The Server is not Available?

The error 0X8004011d is an Outlook send/receive error that prevents users from sending or/and receiving emails. The complete error message reads as follows:

Task YourEmail@XYZ(dot)com reported error (0X8004011d) : ‘The server is not available. Contact your administrator if this condition persists.’

The error indicates a problem in the connection between the Outlook client and server. It might happen that the server is unavailable or down for maintenance. However, the error may also appear if there is a problem with the system, Outlook client, or Outlook data file (OST).

In this post, you will learn the reasons that can trigger the 0X8004011d – server not available Outlook error and the solutions to troubleshoot and resolve it without any risk of data loss or losing a single mail item.

Reasons for Outlook Error 0X8004011d – The Server is not Available

The Outlook error 0X8004011d may pop up due to the following reasons:

1. Poor connection or network on the client machine
2. Connectivity issues with your email server
3. Corrupt or damaged Outlook profile
4. Outdated Outlook client
5. Inconsistent or oversized Outlook data file (OST)

Solutions to Resolve Outlook error 0X8004011d

Follow the solutions given below to troubleshoot and resolve the server is not available 0X8004011d error in Outlook.

Solution 1: Check Your Internet Connection

Before you start advanced troubleshooting, check your internet connection. Make sure it is stable and you are able to browse other websites without issues. If not, you may need to restart or reset your router, check the modem or router cable connection, or contact your ISP.

Solution 2: Check if the Server is Down

If the internet is working, try to login to the Outlook Web App or Outlook 365 via web browser. If the login page does not load or sign-in fails, it means the server is down for maintenance or due to some temporary issues, such as power failure or a restart. If this is the case, there’s not much to do but wait for it to come back online. Therefore, wait and then try again later.

Solution 3: Restart Outlook and Computer

Sometimes, such errors are caused by temporary issues with the system that go away with a simple app or system restart. Therefore, close Outlook and all other apps, wait for a minute, and then open or launch the Outlook program again. If you still see the error, try to restart the system.

Solution 4: Update Outlook and Windows

Microsoft regularly rolls out patches for Outlook that can fix various issues and bugs that may have triggered the 0X8004011d error. So, check and update your Outlook by following these steps:

• Open Outlook.
• Go to File > Office Account. 
• Click on Update Options and then click Update Now.

• Outlook will connect to the Microsoft server and check for any new updates. If new updates are available, you should immediately download and apply those to your Outlook.

If this doesn’t resolve the error, you can try to update Windows to fix any bugs with the operating system. The steps are as follows:

• On your Windows PC, go to Settings and click Update & Security. 
• Then, click Windows Updates > Check for Updates.

• If new updates are available, install them.
• After installing the Windows updates, reboot the system and launch Outlook. Check if the server is not available 0X8004011d error is resolved. 

Solution 5: Check Cached Exchange Mode

If the Cached Exchange Mode is disabled, then it can lead to the 0X8004011d error every time the server is unavailable or the network is busy or not connected to the internet even for a few seconds. Thus, it is recommended to use Cached Exchange Mode if you are using a Microsoft 365 or Live Exchange Server account. The steps are as follows:

• Press Windows + R, type control.exe, and press Enter. This will launch Control Panel.
• Click Users Accounts > Mail and then click Data Files.

• Click on Email and then double-click on the email account.
• Click More Settings and then click the Advanced tab.
• Click Use Cached Exchange Mode and then click Apply > OK.

• Restart Outlook for the changes to take effect.

With Cached Exchange Mode on, you are less likely to experience the send/receive error as Outlook will automatically handle the synchronization at the backend.

Solution 6: Repair Outlook Profile

A damaged or corrupt Outlook profile can also lead to send/receive errors. To resolve them, you can try to repair the profile using the built-in repair option. The steps are as follows:

• Go to Control Panel > Mail > Show Profiles.

• Choose your profile.
• Then, click Properties > Email Accounts.
• Go to the Email tab, select your account, and click Repair.
• After the repair, restart Outlook.

Solution 7: Create a New Outlook Profile

If repairing your Outlook profile didn’t work, you can try to create a new profile and set up your email under this new profile. The steps are as follows:

• Close Outlook and open the Control Panel. 
• Then, go to User Accounts > Mail and click Show Profiles.
• Click Add and then enter a name for this profile. Click OK.

• You will see a sign in wizard. Login and set up your same email account under this new profile.
• Once the setup is complete, make this profile as the default and then launch Outlook. 

• If everything works well and the error is resolved, you can remove the old profile to avoid confusion. 

Solution 8: Disable Add-Ins

While add-ins can help improve Outlook experience, they may also lead to trouble – especially if the add-ins are installed from third-party software or applications. To check if add-ins are causing the error, follow these steps:

• Close Outlook and press Windows + R. This will open the Run dialog box.
• Type outlook.exe /safe and then press the Enter key or click the OK button to start Outlook in safe mode.
• Then, click File > Options and select Add-ins. 
• Click the Go… button at the bottom, beside Manage Add-ins.
• In the COM-Add-ins dialog box, unselect all checkboxes against the add-ins.
• Click OK to disable the add-ins.

• Once the add-ins are disabled, close Outlook Safe Mode.
• Then, restart Outlook normally.

If the error is resolved, enable one add-in at a time to find the problematic add-in and then remove it permanently.

Solution 9: Repair Microsoft Office

Damaged Microsoft Office or Outlook program files can also lead to errors in Outlook. To resolve them, you can try to repair the MS Office. The steps are as follows:

• Open the Control Panel.
• Go to Uninstall a program under the Programs section and select the Microsoft Office from the list of programs. Then. click Change. 

• Select the repair method from the options, such as Online Repair or Quick Repair.
• Then, click the Repair button and complete the repair process.

Alternatively, you can open Settings > Apps > Installed Apps and then follow these steps:

• Find and select Microsoft Office and click Modify.

• Select the repair option and click Repair.

After the repair, launch Outlook and check if the error is resolved. 

Solution 10: Rebuild Outlook Data File

Outlook may display the error 0X8004011d if the Outlook data file (OST) is inconsistent or becomes too large. In such cases, you can try to rebuild the OST file to resolve the errors. The steps are as follows: 

• Close Outlook.
• Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog box.

• Type or paste this path: %localappdata%/Microsoft/Outlook in the Run dialog box and click OK or press the ENTER key.

• Find the OST file and rename it by adding the .bak extension or move it to some other location for backup. 
• Once the OST backup is created, delete the original OST file from the default location. 
• Then, start Outlook. As there is no OST file, Outlook will automatically create a new OST file and download all mail items from the mailbox server.

If you find missing mail items or folders or OST recreation fails, use an OST to PST converter software, such as Stellar Converter for OST. The software helps you extract the mail items from backup OST file and save them to Outlook importable PST file.  After conversion, you can import this PST file into your newly created OST file or Outlook profile and restore the missing mail items or folders. The software can convert large OST files (up to 50 GB) and is also capable of directly exporting all the mail items from orphaned, inaccessible, or encrypted OST files to Microsoft 365 and live Exchange Server directly. 

Final Thoughts

The error 0X8004011d in Outlook can disrupt work and productivity, leading to financial and reputational damage. However, with the solutions shared in this post, you should be able to fix it like a pro. Make sure to follow these solutions in given order from basic troubleshooting to advanced solutions. 

In case, you are required to rebuild the OST file and after rebuilding the file you find missing mail items or folders, remember to use an OST to PST converter software, such as Stellar Converter for OST. Scan the backup OST file using this OST converter software and restore the missing mail items directly to your new or existing Outlook profile, Microsoft 365 account, or live Exchange Server mailbox.

FAQ

Q: Can the error 0X8004011d affect multiple accounts at once?

A: Yes, especially if the issue is with the server or network.

Q: Should I reinstall Outlook if the error persists?

A: Reinstalling can be the last resort. Try all other fixes before you decide to reinstall Outlook.

Q: Can antivirus software cause this error?

A: In some cases, yes. Check your antivirus settings and make sure Outlook isn’t being blocked.

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About The Author

Shelly Bhardwaj

I am a Product Consultant and is associated with Stellar Data Recovery from last 8 years. I write about the latest technology tips and provide custom solutions related to Exchange Server, Office 365, MS Outlook, and many other Email Clients & different flavors of OS Servers. Read More