Send and Receive Error Message-Synchronizing Folders

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[Susan Bradley]

Can you please help me end this nightmare I am having with Outlook 365? I keep getting a message that says send and receive error in the bottom of the status bar in outlook and as a result I am not able to send or receive any emails until I go to task manager and end the outlook.exe process under user’s tab. It really gets on my nerves doing those 2 to 4 times a day. I have created a new profile, done online repair, quick repair, I have all updated for MS office downloaded, Uninstalled, and reinstalled Office 365, I unchecked all the add-ins and they keep checking them self-back again specially the VBA Outlook.dll, I have done the scanpsst.exe, and ran it in safe mode Outlook.exe/ Safe. So I am not sure what else can be done. I have IMAP protocol. Please reply to my question with a permanent solution.

Thank you,

Basem Khawaja

• This topic was modified 2 years, 1 month ago by Susan Bradley.
• This topic was modified 2 years, 1 month ago by Susan Bradley.

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If you click “Send/Receive error” on the status bar you will be shown the specific cause.

Windows 11 Pro version 22H2 build 22621.2361 + Microsoft 365 + Edge

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Thank you but I am already aware of that that’s why I had mentioned the Synchronizations in the tags. When I click on the send and receive it says ” Synchronizing folders for Basem Khawaja.” That’s why I was using the suggested fix that I had mentioned in my post based on this error in the dialog box.

 

 

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Basem Khawaja wrote:

Thank you but I am already aware of that that’s why I had mentioned the Synchronizations in the tags. When I click on the send and receive it says ” Synchronizing folders for Basem Khawaja.” That’s why I was using the suggested fix that I had mentioned in my post based on this error in the dialog box

Synchronizing folders is not an error. If you click “Send/Receive error” it will show the actual error.

Windows 11 Pro version 22H2 build 22621.2361 + Microsoft 365 + Edge

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<b>Disregard this attachment. How do I remove it from this post?? How do I remove an attachment from my post?</b>

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“Cannot find the email server” means that Outlook is not able to connect to an account set up in Outlook.  I would open up the account listing and go through each one and review if all are set up properly.

Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher

1 user thanked author for this post.

Basem Khawaja

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Susan,

Thank you but I realized that I had attached the wrong screen capture that’s why I had asked right after it was posted to disregard it and how to remove an attachment from future posts? The time I got that message the internet was off due to a a cable that was disconnected by error from the modem that’s why I got that message in the dialog box. See post #2383632.

#2383632

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I am not quiet sure why no one reads what am posting which is counter productive to the whole essence of trying to solve an issue rather than having to go back and explain things all over again.

Hello b:

The send and receive message on the status bar once again it shows under the task tab as I stated earlier it states that there is a problem in synchronizing folders for Basem Khawaja inside the dialog box. The error tab shows nothing. It is blank.? see report #2383627. Sorry if I did not explain my self clearly about the task and the error tabs.

Hello Susan,

I was asking for a fix to show me how to remove an attachment after it already have been inserted. I know what that  message in the dialog box means. I was not able to remove the attachment but I could not that’s why I was asking how to remove it instead of asking for an explanation of what that message is referring to? see report# #2383632.

 

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If the error message is blank then we can’t do much except guess.
Look in Event Viewer for email errors – may be lucky.

You can’t remove attachments.

cheers, Paul

1 user thanked author for this post.

Basem Khawaja

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Basem Khawaja wrote:

I am not quiet sure why no one reads what am posting which is counter productive to the whole essence of trying to solve an issue rather than having to go back and explain things all over again.

Hello b:

The send and receive message on the status bar once again it shows under the task tab as I stated earlier it states that there is a problem in synchronizing folders for Basem Khawaja inside the dialog box. The error tab shows nothing. It is blank.? see report #2383627. Sorry if I did not explain my self clearly about the task and the error tabs.

You hadn’t mentioned the task tab, and your screenshot of the task tab doesn’t show any problem.

When you have “Send/Receive error” displayed on the status bar, clicking on that shows the actual error on the error tab.

Windows 11 Pro version 22H2 build 22621.2361 + Microsoft 365 + Edge

1 user thanked author for this post.

Basem Khawaja

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Hello b,

 

Yes I know I did not mention the task tab although anyone who looks at the screen capture can see that there is a message NOT an error under the task tab. Whether I mentioned or not that should not be an issue. I did go back and I said I am sorry if did not explain my self clearly. What I had meant to say once again the message that was under the task tab which you can see clearly was the error message that I was referring to by mistake when infact I should have clicked on the error tab which it showed nothing which I took for granted and I referred to the message under the task tab as the error. I hope this will make things clearer. This is not an English class so please let us focus on the actual issue not having to be so picky about every small thing. I am not asking anyone to be a mind a reader. As the expression goes ” A picture is better than a thousand words” . I did attach an image but I guess that was not good enough. I am not here to argue or fight with no one. If you can not help me or don’t want to that is fine. I respect that.

Thank you sir,

Basem Khawaja

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It appears that you are using IMAP, a protocol which is somewhat particular in the way it is setup on both ends.  Your email provider(s) should have a support page that itemizes the specific needs for setting up IMAP in Outlook; port numbers, etc.

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We were all once "Average Users". We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems, we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

Computer Specs

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Basem Khawaja

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Thank you bbearren,

I already been back and forth with AT&T tech support many times, Microsoft, and geek Squad . They are useless and don’t know anything. I have explained my self on numerous occasions and I wasted my time speaking with many people with no luck. I have had this email for over 10 years and it is not that easy just to change it since many people have this email address on a personal and business levels. I would have to go through hell and back to get in touch with every contact if I had to change that email address. Even then I don’t know if that is the optimum solution. All the server settings I have verified with AT&T web site and they are updated and current to answer your question.

Thank you,

Basem Khawaja

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If you are using Imap you don’t have to click on send/receive folders.

So you get no error message screen to click on/.expand to see what is causing the issue?

Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher

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Basem Khawaja

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Susan,

I do click on send/receive on the tollbar on the top of Outlook to refresh the email especially if I am expecting certain email from someone. I have been doing that for sometimes with no problems. The send and receive message on the status bar it just comes on randomly! Can elaborate on this. I am not too clear on that “So you get no error message screen to click on/.expand to see what is causing the issue?”

Thank you,

Basem Khawaja

 

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Basem Khawaja wrote:

All the server settings I have verified with AT&T web site and they are updated and current to answer your question.

I stopped using IMAP a couple of years ago due to problems very similar to the problem you’re having.  Changing email protocol does not necessarily mean that you must change your email address.

Since I have returned to POP as my email protocol, I’ve had no issues.  I use the email setup on the provider’s site to not delete any email after it has been downloaded.  It stays on the server until I delete it from there.  Only unread mail gets downloaded.  I’m using three different email providers on Outlook, and all are setup this way.  I have a couple of junk email addresses (gmail, Yahoo) that I only use when necessary to register on some site in order to get access, I never check those, and I don’t have them setup to retain email.

If you do switch from IMAP to POP, you will get a downpour of messages which you have already read.  Just use Outlook options to sort by date and mark them as read.

The only issue I’ve had is that on occasion, Outlook.com will timeout, and I’ll get an error because of that.  But that is on Microsoft’s end, not mine.

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We were all once "Average Users". We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems, we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

Computer Specs

1 user thanked author for this post.

Basem Khawaja

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Hi bbearren,

 

I was using POP before I switched to IMAP per tech support suggestion. If I go back to POP will I lose any of my existing email? How far will I have emails downloaded before I delete them 1 month, 6 months , or  longer? Can you send me the instructions on how to delete my IMAP account and establish the POP account please. is the only difference between IMAP and POP is that POP does not synchronize emails on all devices like IMAP. Deleting an email from my phone will not delete it from my desktop until I do so. Is that correct? Final question: Why all the suggested fixes for the issue I am having nothing worked to fix the problem? Is Microsoft is the culprit? BTW, I use Outlook 365 part of the Microsoft 365 annual subscription and NOT OUTLOOK.com that you had mentioned in the post.

Thank you,

Basem Khawaja

 

 

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Basem Khawaja wrote:

If I go back to POP will I lose any of my existing email?

Your email is delivered to your email provider.  From there you retrieve it with your email client, either webmail or in your case Outlook 365.  You can use POP or IMAP settings to retrieve your email, but changing protocol won’t delete any of your email.

Basem Khawaja wrote:

How far will I have emails downloaded before I delete them 1 month, 6 months , or longer?

All the email on your email provider’s server will download if you switch protocol to POP, and they will all appear as “unread”.  They will stay in your Outlook file on your PC until you decide to delete them.  All of the providers I’ve ever used allowed the option for email to stay on the server until you delete it.  Outlook.com currently has 15GB storage on the free account.

Basem Khawaja wrote:

Can you send me the instructions on how to delete my IMAP account and establish the POP account please.

You will have to get that from your email provider, and it varies with the provider.  My settings would not be the same as your settings.

Basem Khawaja wrote:

is the only difference between IMAP and POP is that POP does not synchronize emails on all devices like IMAP. Deleting an email from my phone will not delete it from my desktop until I do so. Is that correct?

That is correct.

Basem Khawaja wrote:

Final question: Why all the suggested fixes for the issue I am having nothing worked to fix the problem? Is Microsoft is the culprit?

That could very well be.  I grew weary of dealing with the occasional IMAP snafus and went back to POP.  That ended my email issues (except for Outlook.com timing out from time to time).

Basem Khawaja wrote:

I use Outlook 365 part of the Microsoft 365 annual subscription and NOT OUTLOOK.com that you had mentioned in the post.

So do I.  I also have a free Outlook.com account that I retrieve via Outlook 365.  When I sign on at the beginning of the day, I open Outlook 365.  Before I sign off at night, I close Outlook 365.  Outlook checks email from three providers every 10 minutes automatically throughout the day.

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We were all once "Average Users". We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems, we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

Computer Specs

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Not sure if this could be the issue but did you ever setup outlook for oauth or as AT&T calls it a secure mail key? Have had a few customers lately with that issue. AT&T roles things out slowly (been years now) https://www.att.com/support/article/email-support/KM1240308

Also make sure you aren’t polling the email server too often. Most servers will block you temporarily if it tries to check too often.

Never Say Never

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Basem Khawaja

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Yes I did setup the secure email key a while back. I have not been blocked as of yet, thank God. I do check my email frequently, I never thought that has anything to do what the issue I am having.

Thank you,

Basem Khawaja

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Just for information purposes.
The secure mail key (16-character) has to be used in place of the original password when using Outlook as a mail client. ATT/Yahoo/Oauth consider Outlook a non-secure app. The same goes if you use Thunderbird as a client.

If you access the mail directly on the ATT/Yahoo (or wherever they store it now) website through a browser, the original password has to be used (not the secure mail key).

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Basem Khawaja

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I use the password whenever I access the web mail at yahoo.com online and the Secure Mail Kay in place of the password in the account settings in Outlook 365. One question, how do I verify what I had used in the password field in Outlook 365 account settings just to be 100% sure it was the secure mail key?

Thank you,

Basem Khawaja

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I use Thunderbird, which is considered a non-secure app also and requires the same thing as your Outlook. Thunderbird has profile settings in the AppData folder under both \Local and \Roaming.
Usually, when I try to send, if the password is wrong a box will pop up asking for the password.
Also, if I go into Account settings and remove the server settings, I have to recreate them, which includes reentering ID, password, ports, POP3 or IMAP, etc.

I am not familiar with Outlook365. Save your profile, then look around and see if that works on Outlook365.

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So would it be safe to say that there is no solution for the IMAP at this point in time since everyone seems to agree somewhat on POP. It’s just that IMAP makes it easier for synchronization so that I don’t have to do double work on other devices.

 

Thanks for your thoughts and suggestions.

Basem Khawaja

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