Is your Outlook not refreshing automatically? No need to worry! Outlook email not updating is a common issue. Many users can face it while using the application on Windows or Mac. When the problem occurs, an email is sent to the user after they click on the Update Folder under the Send/Receive tab.
The image below represents that the auto-update feature is disabled:
This issue can occur for various reasons like delays in sending or receiving emails, slow load time, etc. In this article, you can see the reasons and also how to resolve the issue.
Part 1: Why Is Outlook Inbox Not Updating?
Various reasons are responsible for this issue where your Outlook cannot update. Check the following causes that you might be facing:
Cause 1: Low Network Connection
The first cause included in this list is the situation of poor internet connection. When your internet connection gets interrupted or unstable, you can face the issue of your outlook not updating.
Cause 2: Incompatible Add-Ins
When you are using add-ins that are incompatible with your Outlook can lead to the restriction on the updation of the application.
Cause 3: Wrong Email Settings
Another reason why your Outlook is not refreshing can be wrong email settings. You can also check your settings if you are facing this issue.
Cause 4: Issue With Other Applications
There may be a scenario where your Outlook application has problems with other existing applications. It can prohibit the update of your Outlook.
Cause 5: Damaged Or Corrupt Outlook Profile
If the Outlook profile you are using is corrupt or damaged, you can encounter an issue with the program update.
Cause 6: Large Local Cache (.ost)
A large local cache is also a problem for your devices and the softwares in them. Automatic updating of Outlook can be affected due to this.
Cause 7: Outlook Data File That Are Inconsistent
Inconsistent Outlook data files are also the reason behind various causes. Unable to update Outlook is one of them.
Cause 8: Poor Local Drive Or Mailbox Storage
When your local drive or mailbox storage is low, your Outlook can face updating problems. A good space is vital for updating the application.
Part 2: How to Fix Outlook Inbox Not Updating Automatically?
After knowing the causes, moving ahead to learn the solutions to eliminate the issue with Outlook's automatic updation. The following are the perfect fixes that can help you:
Fix 1: Check the internet connection
Internet connection is a crucial factor when you want to update Outlook. So, ensure a stable internet connection and mailbox server to stay online. For verification, log in to the webmail account in the web browser.
If you are able to log in successfully, then the issue could be something else. Check the continuing solutions that you can follow for your Outlook application.
Fix 2: Disable Cached Exchange Mode
Cached exchange mode is recommended to ensure Outlook performance for Office 365 and live Exchange Server. When your emails are not updating, or you encounter sync errors, toggling or disabling the cached exchange mode can help.
When you disable Cached Exchange mode, Outlook gets connected directly to the server, and changes will be reflected immediately. Following are the steps that you can follow:
Step 1: Go to File>Account Settings>Account Settings in Outlook.
Step 2: Click on the email account and Change under the Email section.
Step 3: Disable the Use Cached Exchange Mode under the Offline Settings.
Step 4: Now, click Next.
Step 5: Lastly, restart the Outlook app to make the changes.
Here is a note for you. Outlook cannot connect to the mailbox server in the Online Mode. All the changes updated in real-time can reflect in Outlook web and client apps.
Fix 3: Rebuild Outlook's OST file
When the data file of Outlook is large, it can become inconsistent and leads to synchronization issues. The issue can lead to the outdated mailbox and email items, slow search results, delayed sending and receiving emails, and more.
Here are the steps for rebuilding the offline Outlook data files(.ost):
Step 1: First open Outlook. Right-click on email in the left pane.
Step 2: Select the Open File Location. It will open the OST file location.
Step 3: Once located, shut the Outlook client and copy the OST file to another folder or drive.
Step 4: After copying, remove the default Outlook OST file and start the Outlook program.
Step 5: Your Outlook app will check for an OST file.
As you delete the file, Outlook will create a new OST file. Moreover, it also synchronizes emails and mail items from the mailbox server to local OST files.
Step 6: At the end, when synchronization will complete, check your mail items and folders.
Issue With The Update Of Outlook Can Also Happen Due To OST File Corruption!
If your OST file is damaged, your Outlook app can face various issues. Users who wonder why outlook won't update might have corrupt OST files.
Wondershare Repairit for Email is a tool that can help you repair the OST email files. This tool is also beneficial for resolving multiple email issues on Windows and Mac.
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Repair damaged PST & OST Files in Outlook in all Email corruption scenarios, such as hard disk crashes & bad sectors, virus attacks & tojan horse, outlook corruption & malfunctions, improper shutdown procedure, etc.
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Restore Outlook Emails deleted for a long time and extract the Email messages, folders, calendars, etc. within seconds.
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Repair corrupted Emails and restore deleted Emails with a very high success rate.
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Repair Emails in bathes without size limits and support to preview all of them before saving.
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Compatible with Windows 7/8/8.1/10/11, Windows Server 2012/2016/2019, and MacOS X 10.11~ MacOS 12 (Monterey).
Below are the steps that you can follow to fix OST files with the Repair tool for Windows:
Step 1: Upload the corrupt OST email files.
Open Repairit and the tool's interface will appear on your screen. Click Select File and start uploading the corrupted OST files.
The option to choose from a particular location is also available. Click on the Find button when you want to search for different locations. In contrast, click the Add File option if you know the corrupt OST file's location.
Step 2: Repair the uploaded OST email files.
The next step is to click the Repair button shown in blue color. Repairing the corrupt OST files will be started, and you will get the fixed OST files in seconds.
Step 3: Preview before saving the repaired OST files.
After completion of the repair process, you can see the fixed emails on the left panel. Attempt to double-click on the repaired files you want to preview. Check the content inside the files. Lastly, save the email file at the target location.
If you have a Mac system, you can use this tool. The steps to follow are quite similar to the steps for Windows.
Fix 4: Verify Outlook Settings
When Outlook fails to connect to the mailbox server, it gives a reminder to the users and asks for a new password (if changed). However, several times it needs to give a reminder. Hence, the user must manually check their account settings and email credentials.
With the proper checking, you will ensure the connection establishment of Outlook with the mailbox server. Besides, you can also see the synchronization of mail items to/from the server.
Follow the below steps to verify the Outlook settings:
Step 1: Open Outlook. Now go to File>Account Settings>Account Settings.
Then choose the email account.
Step 2: Click on Change>More Settings.
Step 3: Lastly, verify and update the email credentials.
Check if the account settings are correct.
Fix 5: Enable Send Immediately Option
“Send immediately when connected” is an advanced option to force the Outlook app to update emails quickly. At the same time, it connects to the mailbox server.
If you want to enable this option, you can follow the below steps:
Step 1: Click File>Options>Advanced in Outlook.
Step 2: Click on Send immediately when connected under Send and Receive.
Step 3: Click on the OK button and restart the Outlook program.
Fix 6: Repair Microsoft Office
Try to repair your Microsoft Office if you want to fix the issue with your emails not updating automatically. Follow the steps below to do this:
Step 1: Open the Control Panel.
Under the program, click on Uninstall a program.
Step 2: Choose Microsoft Office…. from the list and click Change.
Step 3: Select Repair from the available options. Click Continue.
Step 4: Repair of Microsoft Office (including Outlook) program files will get started.
Step 5: After completing the repair, continue restarting the system. Check if emails are updating.
Fix 7: Disable IPv6
The last solution includes disabling IPv6. There is a possibility that it can help you with the issue of outlook not refreshing. Below are the steps that you can follow to disable IPv6:
Step 1: First, use the shortcut Windows Key + X.
The Control Panel will open.
Step 2: Now, open the Network and Internet.
Step 3: Open the Network and Sharing Center.
Step 4: Next, click on the Change Adapter Settings.
Step 5: Right-click the connection and move to the Properties.
Step 6: Now, uncheck the Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6). IPv6 will be disabled.
Step 7: Click OK to confirm the change.
Part 3: Tips to Prevent Outlook Updating Problems
The following tips can help you with preventing Outlook updating issues:
Tip 1: Ensure to have a stable internet connection
Errors like 0x800CCC0F and 0x8004210a can occur due to an interrupted internet connection. Try to avoid low bandwidth internet connection for an appropriate and strong connectivity. On the contrary, a reliable internet connection is best for faster download and upload speed. Hence, the update can be quicker.
Tip 2: Do not access the suspicious emails
Emails from an unknown sender are a potential threat to your system. Any mail containing a virus can affect the Microsoft Outlook program. Such situations can be avoided with the use of a trusted antivirus program. It will create protection from external threats.
Tip 3: Reinstallation of Outlook program
You can reinstall your Outlook program to avoid the issue with its update. By doing this, you can save the application from various other failures. On the other hand, it is always recommended to reinstall Outlook if it crashes.
Tip 4: Remove emails from the Outlook folder
Data overloading can be a reason behind issues with Outlook. It can also affect the program when you want to update your Outlook program. Hence, deleting unnecessary files from Outlook trash is a great tip. As a result, you can see the improved performance of your Outlook program.
Tip 5: Third-party tools to repair corrupt email files
The last tip is for your corrupt OST and PST files. Damaged files can restrict your Outlook program from updating. Microsoft provides the ScanPST.exe tool that users can use to repair corrupt files. However, many third-party tools can repair email files effectively. Any Outlook user can use them.
Related Readings:
1. Fix Outlook Crashes On Startup On Windows
2. Fix Outlook Keeps Crashing on Windows in 3 Minutes
Conclusion
In the end, you can see that numerous methods can help you with outlook inbox not updating problems. The above information also includes various reasons causing the issue. It is why the tips in the last part are there to help you avoid the problem. You can follow them.
Moreover, one of the main culprits behind outlook not refreshing is damaged email files. The Wondershare Repairit tool is there to help you in fixing that. You can try any option that is feasible for you.
