How to Fix Outlook 2016 Setup Error for Office 365 Mailbox?

Read time: 8 minutes

If you’re a business owner, chances are you rely on Microsoft Outlook to manage your calendar and emails effectively. However, encountering an error message when trying to set up or configure Office 365 account in Outlook 2016 can be frustrating. The message often reads, ‘cannot connect to server,’ leaving you unable to access your mailbox. This problem is common among many businesses, but fret not – there’s a solution. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of setting up your Office 365 mailbox in Outlook 2016 and help you resolve the pesky ‘cannot connect to server’ error that has been causing headaches for many users. Let’s dive in and get started!

Fixing the Outlook 2016 Setup Error for Office 365 Mailbox

If you’re seeing Outlook 2016 setup errors when trying to configure your Office 365 mailbox, there are a few things you can try to fix the issue.

1. First, make sure that you’re using the correct Outlook Settings for Office 365. To do this, open Outlook and go to File > Account Settings.
2. From the drop-down menu, look for your Office 365 account or click on Change Profile.
3. Next, check that you’re using the correct Outlook profile. Tap on Account Settings again and select Manage Profiles.
4. Under the Mail Setup – Outlook window, click on Show Profiles.
5. Select the Outlook profile that matches your Office 365 account and checkmark the option Always use this profile. Tap on Apply and OK.

In this scenario, the Outlook 2016 Setup Error could arise due to the Exchange administrator enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA). Consequently, the server triggers an HTTP 456 authentication error. To resolve this problem, disable MFA for the affected account in Office 365. Below are the steps to accomplish this.

1. To access your Office 365 subscription, log into the Office 365 portal with your account.
2. Click Admin on the portal’s main page.
3. Go to the navigation pane, tap on Users and click on Active users.
4. Under the Active users pane, tap on More and go to the Multifactor authentication setup.
5. Choose the affected user from the list and check the box.
6. Tap on Disable from the Quick Steps menu. Click on Yes at last.

If you’re still seeing Outlook 2016 setup errors, it’s possible that your Outlook data file is corrupted. To fix this, you can recreate a new local Outlook Data File.

1. Access Outlook & tap on File. On the right side, click on Account Settings.
2. In the next window, tap on the tab Data Files tab.
3. Choose an account and click on Open File Location.
4. You need to exit Outlook but must keep the File Explorer dialog window open.
5. Lastly, delete the OST file and close the File Explorer window. Restart Outlook and you are good to go.

To fix the Outlook 2016 setup error, you can also look to update Outlook to its latest version. Here is how to do so.

1. Access Outlook and tap on the File menu.
2. From the navigation pane, click on Office Account.
3. Click on the option Office Updates and click on Update Now.
4. Let the update process be finished and your error might be resolved by now.

Updating Windows through Windows Update is a universal method to resolve common Outlook and Office 365 errors. To fix Outlook 2016 setup errors, follow the steps below to update your Windows system.

1. Type Settings in the Search box, click it and go to Update & Security.
2. From the left side dashboard of Windows Update, tap on Check for Updates.
3. When the new updates come up, tap on Install now.
4. After a successful update, you can set up your Office 365 mailbox in Outlook 2016 easily and the Outlook 2016 setup error will be fixed.

If you still encounter setup errors in Outlook 2016 or have any inquiries, please reach out to the IT support team for assistance.

These manual methods can help resolve the Outlook Setup error for Office 365 Mailbox. However, for added safety, it’s crucial to maintain a backup of Exchange Online mailboxes. For this, it is recommended to use the Kernel Export Office 365 to PST Tool. This utility export Office 365/Exchange Mailboxes to PST & more in 4 simple steps and backup archive/shared mailboxes & public folders.

Moreover, Moreover, this software allows you to take a backup of live Exchange mailboxes without interrupting your work and keep you away from the hassle if you accidentally delete user mailboxes in exchange online. Also, this tool is compatible with all versions of Windows.

Closing Notes

If you’re facing the Outlook 2016 setup error while configuring your Office 365 mailbox, don’t worry – we’ve got some troubleshooting methods that might solve your issue. We understand the frustration of dealing with technical problems, so these tips are designed to help you get your email back on track quickly. Additionally, to prevent future issues, consider using the Kernel Office 365 Backup program. It allows you to keep a backup of your Exchange Online mailboxes, providing an extra layer of security. You can start using this tool now, as it’s available online for free.