Fixed: Outlook for Mac Not Syncing with Exchange Server

Outlook for Mac users often report issues such as “Outlook for Mac Not Syncing with Exchange Server” or “Outlook 2016 for Mac not connecting to Exchange”. These issues usually occur when Outlook’s connection with the Exchange server is disrupted or the Outlook database is corrupted.

Reasons Behind “Outlook for Mac Not Syncing with Exchange Server” Issue

• Outlook for Mac is running in offline mode
• No connectivity with Exchange Server
• Misconfigured Outlook for Mac settings
• Missing important Outlook for Mac updates
• Corrupted Outlook database

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Solutions to Fix Outlook For Mac Sync Errors

There are different ways to fix the “Outlook for Mac Not Syncing with Exchange Server” issue. These are:

Method #1: Ensure Outlook isn’t Set to “Work Offline”

If you face the Outlook for Mac not connecting to Exchange server error, first check if Outlook is running in offline mode. For this, open the Outlook menu and see if Work Offline is enabled. If it’s enabled, click it to disable the feature.

Method #2: Verify Outlook is Connected to Exchange Server

Often, the underlying cause of Outlook sync issues is Outlook for Mac not connecting to Exchange server. Outlook for Mac must have a stable connection with the Exchange Server to perform synchronization. To verify this connection, follow these steps:

1. Open Outlook and Under Tools ribbon, click Accounts.

2. Find the Exchange account in the left pane. If the indicator icon along the account is orange, there is some problem with the Exchange connection. You can contact your Exchange server admin to re-establish the connection.

Method #3: Update Outlook for Mac

If you’re facing problems such as Outlook 2019 or Outlook 2016 for mac not connecting to Exchange, the application might be missing critical updates. To update the application, follow these steps:

1. Launch Outlook and go to Help > Check for Updates.

2. In the Microsoft AutoUpdate wizard that pops up, select Automatically. Also, select an appropriate option in Check for Updates section.

3. Click Check for Updates button to download and install the latest updates.

Method #4: Rebuild Outlook for Mac file (Outlook for Mac 2011)

If there is a problem with Outlook for Mac database, you may observe the issue of Outlook for Mac not syncing with Exchange Server.

• Close Outlook for Mac and other Microsoft Office applications.
• Locate Microsoft Database Utility. Its default location is Applications/Microsoft Office 2011/Office.
• Launch the utility and select the identity of the database you want to rebuild. Then click Rebuild.

Note: When Microsoft Database Utility rebuilds a database, it also replicates the database to create a backup. So, make sure your system has enough free space (the free space should be equal to or more than the space taken by the current database).

Note: This method applies to Outlook for Mac 2011 only. In newer Outlook for Mac versions, you can’t manually repair the Outlook database as the updates are performed automatically.  

Method #5: Clear Cache

If synchronization between the Exchange server and Outlook for Mac is interrupted, the local system’s cache may have incomplete files. In that case, you need to fix Outlook for Mac sync errors by clearing the cache. For this, follow these steps:

1. In the left-side panel in Outlook’s main interface, open the folder list.

2. Right-click the folder which is causing the problem of Outlook for Mac not receiving emails. Then click Properties.

3. Under the General tab, click Empty Cache, and then click OK.

Following these steps, Outlook will clear the cache and re-download emails from the server.

What if These Methods Fail?

If you cannot fix Outlook For Mac Sync Errors with the above methods, you can use an OLM to PST converter such as Stellar Converter for OLM to export Outlook for Mac data. You can use this tool to convert Outlook for Mac’s OLM file into a PST file and import this PST in Outlook for Windows. Alternatively, you can save important emails from OLM in MSG or EML formats.

Stellar Converter for OLM is an advanced OLM to PST converter tool that offers the following features:

• Converts all OLM items such as emails, attachments, contacts, etc. into a PST file
• Supports MS Outlook 2019, 2016, and 2011 for Mac
• Converts emails into PST, MSG, and EML
• Offers free preview of converted OLM mailbox items

Conclusion

When Outlook users face issues such as Outlook for Mac not syncing with Exchange Server, Outlook 2016 for Mac not connecting to Exchange, etc. it’s usually because of bad server connection, corrupted database, or wrong Outlook settings. In this post, we have covered the most straightforward solutions to all these problems. Still, if you cannot fix Outlook for Mac sync errors, you can save OLM file data using OLM to PST converter software. It’s the safest and easiest way to save your important emails, contacts, calendar entries, etc. as a portable/backup PST file.

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About The Author

Abhinav Sethi

Abhinav Sethi is a Senior Writer at Stellar. He writes articles, blog posts, knowledge-bases, case studies, etc. for different technologies. He also has a keen interest in digital forensics and helps forward-thinking companies fight different threats with apt solutions.