How to resolve ‘Connection to Microsoft Exchange is unavailable’ error in Outlook
Sometimes, there may be a problem in the connection between Outlook and Exchange, and following error may come in front of you –
Error while opening Outlook
The error occurs in Online mode and clearly depicts that the connection with Microsoft Exchange is not available. There may be different reasons behind the error.
Possible causes of the error
The primary reason for the ‘connection to Microsoft Exchange unavailable’ error is the absence of data in the User Shell Folders registry key. Here are the other possible causes of this error –
Possible causes of error
- Server Failure.
The server may malfunction and lose an active connection with Outlook.
- Accidental Shutdown.
If Outlook application was accidentally shutdown and had not saved data properly.
- Boot Failure.
Problems in Outlook application that causes boot failure.
- Virus Attack.
Outlook data file corruption due to virus attacks.
- Hardware failure
Hardware problems in the computer where Outlook or Exchange Server is installed.
- User errors.
Some improper changes or incorrect settings in the application due to user errors.
How to resolve the error –
When the User Shell Folders registry key does not contain all the required data, then Outlook shows the ‘connection to Microsoft Exchange unavailable’ error. To fix the error, you need to import User Shell Folders register key from a working Windows user profile to the computer showing this error. To do this, use the following steps –
- Open Run and input ‘regedit.’ Then Click OK.
Figure – regedit opens the Registration Information editor - Now go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Explorer\User Shell Folders.
Figure – User Shell Folders
- To export the registry file, right-click the User Shell Folders and click Export.
Figure – Export the User Shell Folders
- Provide a location and save the registry file.
Figure – Save the Registry key at the desired place.
- Now, transfer the saved Registry file to the computer where you are facing the ‘Microsoft Exchange is unavailable’ error
- After saving the registry file to the computer, go to File and click Import.
Figure – Import registry key to the computer
- Browse for the registry file and click Open.
Figure – Search the registry key file
- You will get a confirmation message in the end. Click OK.
Figure – Keys and values are successfully added.
- Finally, exit the registry editor and restart the Outlook application
Conclusion
The ‘connection to Microsoft Exchange unavailable’ error can be fixed by editing the registry key data. If the error remains unresolved even after that, then the problem may be with the Exchange database files. To fix Exchange database issues, you need to use a professional tool which can rectify any possible corruption and bring all the information back. Exchange Recovery Manager is a proficient recovery tool which handles any corruption in Exchange Database (EDB) files and retrieves complete Exchange data. EDB to PST Converter tool can also convert recovered EDB data to PST format or directly migrated to Live Exchange or Office 365 platforms.
