IMAP Synchronization Issues In Outlook 2013/Office 365

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Outlook is a versatile application capable of managing multiple accounts from various email servers, including IMAP, POP, Exchange Server, and Office 365. Users are required to synchronize each account with the respective server and configure the necessary settings to enable message sending and receiving. Additionally, it is essential for users to keep their Outlook application up-to-date with the latest Microsoft updates, as these updates serve to optimize Outlook’s performance and enhance the overall email communication experience.

However, there are instances where certain updates can have adverse effects. Take, for instance, updates like KB2837618 or KB2837643 for Outlook. Upon installing these updates, users may encounter synchronization issues between Outlook 2013 and Office 365. These problems can persist even when the configuration is correct, as the updates may prove incompatible with Outlook 2013 and Office 365, leading to synchronization challenges.

The reasons behind the synchronization issues

The primary cause of the synchronization problem can be attributed to a security update, specifically KB2837618 or KB2837643. When these updates are installed, they have been known to trigger synchronization issues within Outlook 2013 and Microsoft 365. Even though the configuration of the IMAP account may be correctly set up, it may still fail to synchronize with Outlook 2013 or Microsoft 365. Microsoft has documented various issues associated with these updates, some of which users may encounter in their Outlook experience:

1. The Outlook may crash soon after starting it.
2. When the Outlook uses an IMAP email account, then the user may not receive new messages and get an error message like the following:

   You do not have appropriate permission to perform this operation.

   Or

   You do not have permission to move items in this folder.

3. If the Outlook is connected with Exchange Server, then you may face multiple issues like:
   • The Outlook will give this error while you configure automatic replies-

   Your automatic reply settings cannot be displayed because the server is currently unavailable. Try again later.

   • Outlook will not give free/busy data for calendar scheduling.

After learning about the reason behind the synchronization issue and its outcome, now go through some manual procedures which can correct the matter and allow the Outlook to receive new messages.

• In Control Panel, select Programs and Features.
• Search for the updates KB2837618 or KB2837643 and double-click to uninstall them.
• Restart the Outlook application and check if you are getting the new messages now.

1. Open Outlook and follow File>>Account Settings>>Account Settings.
2. Click the Change button.
3. Click More Settings option and go to Advanced option.
4. Select the Folder option and go to the Root Folder path option and type Inbox. Finally, click Save.
5. Restart the Outlook application and click the Send/Receive option in the menu bar and check if you get the latest messages.

1. Start Outlook application, go to the Folder option and select IMAP Folders.
2. uncheck the option – When displaying hierarchy in Outlook, show only the subscribed folders.
3. Save the changes and click the Send/Receive option to check the new messages.

If none of the aforementioned methods resolve the issue, the next step is to remove and then re-add the IMAP account in Outlook. However, it’s advisable to exercise caution when installing updates that may potentially disrupt Outlook’s performance. In more serious cases, the installation of problematic updates can lead to message corruption and render data inaccessible. To rectify this corruption, the ESEUTIL tool can be utilized for data recovery. To avoid finding yourself in such a situation, consider seeking the assistance of professional software solutions like Kernel for OST to PST converter.

Final words

Kernel for OST to PST is a user-friendly migration software designed for effortless access to user mailboxes stored in Outlook OST files. It allows you to seamlessly save this data directly to a PST file or any other preferred location. The tool offers a range of effective filters to ensure that you can selectively migrate only the crucial data from the OST file, streamlining the migration process for your convenience.