Helping millions of people navigate the world of technology.

Outlook Error 0x800ccc1a – What Does It Mean and How to Fix It

Quick Tips
  • Error “0x800ccc1a” appears when trying to send or receive emails in Outlook.
  • Various Outlook versions are affected, including 2010, 2013, 2016, and 2019.
  • Restarting Outlook is sometimes enough to fix it.

Error code “0x800ccc1a” is something you won’t want to see when working in Outlook. It effectively blocks you from sending or receiving emails. It can even crash your computer, in the worst cases, and isn’t always easy to fix.

Luckily, there are several quick fixes to try for Outlook error 0x800ccc1a.

What Does Outlook Error 0x800ccc1a Mean?

Outlook error 0x800ccc1a occurs due to an issue or interference between Outlook’s own mail servers and your device’s connection. More specifically, it’s usually down to some sort of incompatibility between Outlook and your device’s encryption settings.

In simpler terms, it means that Outlook can’t establish a steady, stable connection for emails to flow from its servers to your device, and vice versa. To fix it, you have to clear away whatever interference is blocking that connection.

Fixes for Outlook Error 0x800ccc1a

Outlook error 0x800ccc1a can be a nightmare to deal with. But there are several ways to resolve it. Note that certain methods may or may not work for you, depending on your exact system settings, so it’s worth trying a few of them to find the right solution.

Method 1. Use Scanpst to Repair Damaged Files

Microsoft has a built-in fixer tool for Outlook and other Office programs called “Scanpst.” It’s wise to try that as one of the first fixes for Outlook error 0x800ccc1a.

Step 1. Locate Scanpst using “File Explorer.”

Go to the “C” drive, then click on “Program Files (x86),” then “Microsoft Office,” and then one of the following:

  • “Office12” for Outlook 2007
  • “Office14” for Outlook 2020
  • “Office15” for Outlook 2013
  • “root” and then “Office16” if you’re using either Outlook 2016 or 2019

Once you’ve accessed the right folder, scroll through the files to find one called “Scanpst.exe.”

Use Scanpst to Repair Damaged Files 1

Step 2. Double-click to launch “Scanpst.”

Use Scanpst to Repair Damaged Files 2

Step 3. Click the “Browse” button, and then find the Outlook PST file you need to scan. It’s usually in your “%localappdata/Microsoft/Outlook” folder. Once you’ve selected it, just press the “Start” button to begin the scan. Scanpst will then scan your file for issues, and if it finds them, you’ll be prompted to press “Repair” to fix them.

Use Scanpst to Repair Damaged Files 3

Method 2. Use Windows System File Checker

Another built-in Windows tool that may resolve Outlook error 0x800ccc1a is the “System File Checker,” which you can easily launch using the “Command Prompt” tool to scan and fix corrupted or problematic files.

Step 1. Type “Command Prompt” into your search bar and click on the button marked “Run as administrator” to launch it. Press “Yes” in the pop-up window to confirm.

Use Windows System File Checker 1

Step 2. Type “sfc /scannow” into the window, and hit “Enter.” Wait for the scan to finish before trying Outlook again.

Use Windows System File Checker 2

Method 3. Adjust Your Firewall or Disable It Temporarily

It’s possible that your device’s firewall could be interfering with Outlook’s connections. A quick adjustment or temporary disabling of the firewall may fix the problem.

Step 1. Type “Firewall” into your Windows search bar and click on the “Best Match,” which should take you straight to the “Firewall & network protection” settings menu.

Adjust Your Firewall or Disable It Temporarily 1

Step 2. Click on your current connection type – Public or Private (it’s best to do this on a private network for security reasons). Then, click to disable your firewall.

Adjust Your Firewall or Disable It Temporarily 2

Step 3. Try running Outlook again. If the error is gone, you’ll want to adjust your firewall settings and allow Outlook to bypass the firewall in the future. Go back to the “Firewall & network protection” menu and click on “Allow an app through firewall.”

Adjust Your Firewall or Disable It Temporarily 3

Step 4. Click “Change settings,” and then scroll down the list to find Outlook. Make sure the boxes next to Outlook are not ticked in the “Private” column (so the firewall won’t activate), and click “OK” to save your settings.

Adjust Your Firewall or Disable It Temporarily 4

Method 4. Verify or Adjust Your SSL Settings

It’s also possible that your Outlook SSL (security) settings are interfering with the server connections.

Step 1. Open Outlook, click on “File” and then “Account Settings.”

Verify or Adjust Your SSL Settings 1
Verify or Adjust Your SSL Settings 2

Step 2. Select your email account in the list, and then click “Change.”

Verify or Adjust Your SSL Settings 3

Step 3. Click the “More Settings” button.

Verify or Adjust Your SSL Settings 4

Step 4. Go to the “Advanced” tab and check the numbers assigned in the “IMAP” and “SMTP” boxes. The numbers entered should match the ones given to you by your email provider. Adjust if necessary, or click “Use Defaults” button to reset them, then try using Outlook again.

Verify or Adjust Your SSL Settings 5

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Last updated on 10 October, 2024

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

The article above may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. The content remains unbiased and authentic and will never affect our editorial integrity.