Fix Error 0x80040115 We cannot complete this because we are currently unable to contact the server in MS Outlook

 

When trying to send some emails from MS Outlook you may have encountered an error stating:

Error 0x80040115 : We cannot complete this because we are currently unable to contact the server

This is one of the most common errors that users encounter in Outlook. This error occurs when

• There is a problem with the internet connection. Either there is no internet connection or the connection is really bad.
• There is a licensing problem/service error with the Exchange server.
• Outlook .pst or .ost file is corrupted.
• The Outlook profile is corrupt.
• There is a problem with add-ins in Outlook

In this article, let us go through the different ways to fix this error in the system. Make sure to try the fixes in the order listed below.

Fix 1: Make sure the internet connection is up

First, make sure that the internet connection is working in the system. If you are experiencing problems with your internet, see this link

Connected to WiFi but no internet connection? Here's how to fix it

Once the internet connection is working, try if the problem persists. If this is the case, try the next fix listed.

Fix 2: Flush DNS from your system

Majority of users reported that this issue solved their problem.

1. Open the Run dialog. Press the key combination Windows+r 

2. Type cmd command and press Ctrl+Shift+Enter  to open Command Prompt with administrator privileges

3. In the Command Prompt window that opens, type the following command and press Enter

 ipconfig/flushdns

Now open Outlook and check if the error has been fixed. If it doesn't, try the next fix.

Fix 3: Open Outlook in Safe Mode

Sometimes ceratin add-ins can cause this problem. To troubleshoot issues, run Outlook without add-ins

1. Open the Run dialog by simultaneously pressing the Windows+r keys  on the keyboard.

2. In the Run dialog box that opens, type outlook.exe/safe and press  OK

3. Now Outlook will open in safe mode with all add-ins disabled.

4. If you don't see the error now, it means that this error was caused by an add-in. Disable the add-ins one by one and check which add-in caused the problem.

5. Open MS Outlook in your system

6. Click on the File menu option as shown below

7.In the window that appears, select Options in the lower left corner

8. In the Outlook Options window, select Add-Ins from the menu on the left

9. All add-ins will be displayed. Select COM Add-ins from the drop-down list at the bottom of the window and click the Go button

10. Disable all plugins and click OK

11. Now activate one add-in at a time and check which add-in caused the problem.

12. Once the add-in causing the error has been identified, take the necessary action.

If this fix doesn't help and the problem persists, try the next fix.

Fix 4: Adding Exchange Services to Windows Firewall

By default, the Exchange service is allowed in the Windows Firewall like a well-known application. However, there is a possibility that the program may be accidentally removed. To add it back, follow the steps below.

1. Open the Run dialog with the Windows+R keys

2. Type control firewall.cpl and press Enter

3. On the left, click Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall.Menu on the hand side

4. In the Allowed apps window, click Change settings. You must be logged in as an administrator to make this change

5. Click the Allow another app button on the bottom right as shown below

6. Add app window will open, click Browse

7. Now add Exchange

8. Reboot the system and check if the error is gone.

Check if this fixes the problem. If not, use the listed netfix.

Fix 5: Encrypt data between Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft Exchange

1. Open the Run dialog by simultaneously pressing the Windows+r keys on your system

2. In the Run dialog box , type control  and press Enter

3. In the search bar in the upper-right corner of the Control Panel window , type mail. Click on the email option that appears

4. In the Mail Setup window that opens, click  the E-mail Accounts button as shown below

5. Click the required email account , and then click Change

6. In the Change Account window, click the More Settings button at the bottom right .

7. In the window that opens, switch to the Security tab .

8. In the Encryption section, enable the Encrypt data between Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft Exchange option

9. Click Apply and then click OK

Now restart the Outlook application and check if the error is there. If this is the case, try the next fix.

Fix 6: Enable Use Cached Exchange Mode feature

1. Open MS Outlook application

2. From the top menu options, click File

3. In the window that appears, open the About tab 

4. Click Account Settings

5. In the pop-up context menu, click Account and sync settings

6. In the window, click the More Settings button 

7. In the Microsoft Exchange window that opens, switch to the  Advanced tab 

8. Tick Use Cached  Exchange  Mode.

NOTE: If you see that this option is already checked, uncheck the option.

9. Click Apply and then click OK

10. Close the MS Outlook application. Reopen the application and check if the problem persists. If this is the case, try the next fix.

Fix 7: Add the account to a new profile

Many users reported that this solution solved their problem.

1. Open Run dialog by holding down Win Key+r keys at the same time in your system

2. In the Run dialog box , type control  and press Enter

3. In the search bar in the upper-right corner of the Control Panel window , type mail. Click on the email option that appears

4. In the email setup window that opens, click the  View Profiles button   as shown below

5. Click the Add button

6. A window will open, type the required name and press  Enter

7. Select the newly created profile

8. Open the MS Outlook application. Click the File menu option

9. From the About tab, click Add Account  as  shown  below

10. Enter your email ID and click Connect. Follow the onscreen instructions to add the account again.

If this fix doesn't help, check the next fix.

Fix 8: Repair the .pst or .ost file

For pop3 accounts, the .pst file and for IMAP accounts, the .ost file contains all the information about an Outlook account on your PC. When the Outlook application connects to the Internet, this file is updated with new content. When the system is offline, this file is responsible for displaying the existing mails in MS Outlook. Now, when this file gets corrupted, you will face many problems. In such a case, we need to repair the existing .pst or .ost file using the built-in tool called SCANPST. In order to do this,

Step 1: Find out the location of the PST or OST file. Follow the steps below,

1. Open MS Outlook application

2. From the top menu options, click File

3. In the window that appears, go to the About tab 

4. Click Account Settings

5. Then click Account Settings again

6. In the Account Settings window that opens, switch to the "Data Files  " tab. Note the location of the required account file

Step 2: Open SCANPST.EXE  and run the application

The application location is different for different versions of Outlook.

• Outlook 2019: C:\Programme (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16

• Outlook 2016: C:\Programme (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16
• Outlook 2013: C:\Programme (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office15
• Outlook 2010: C:\Programme (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14
• Outlook 2007: C:\Programme (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office12

Depending on the Outlook version on your system, go to the appropriate location and  double-click SCANPST.EXE

Step 3: When the SCANPST application opens, paste the file name in the  Enter the name of the file to scan section . The location we noted in step 1, point 6

Step 4: Click on the Start button

NOTE: The OST files can also be repaired using SCANPST application.

Step 5: Once the scan is complete, it will be notified if there are any errors. Repair the file using the instructions provided.

Step 6: Reboot the system and open the Outlook application and check if that solves the problem.

If this doesn't help, try the next fix listed below.

Fix 9: Repair Outlook application

1. Hold Windows+r keys

2. In the Run dialog box , type appwiz.cpl,  and press Enter 

3. In the Programs and Features window that opens, search for Microsoft Office Suite  or  Microsoft 365. Right-click on it and select Change

4. When the UAC asks for permissions, press Yes

5. In the window that appears, click Quick Repair

6. Then click on the Repair button

7. Follow the on-screen instructions and repair the Office programs.

8. If the problem occurs due to a corrupted Outlook application, this fix will solve the problem.

9. Restart the application and check if the problem is resolved. If not, try to choose Online Repair (in point #6) to fix the Office apps.

10. Restart the application and check if the error has been resolved.

If not, try the next fix.

Fix 10: Update Outlook application

1.Open MS Outlook application in your system

2. From the top menu options, click File

3. In the appeared window, select Office account on the left side  .

4. Click Update Options

5. Select Update Now from the drop-down menu

6. Wait for the updates to be installed in the system

Check if the issue has been resolved. If the problem persists, try the next solution.

That's all

Thank you for reading. We hope this article was informative and helped you fix the error. Please comment and let us know which of the above fixes worked in your case. Also let us know if you run into any problems, we're always happy to help.