The Outlook error 0x80042108 comes up when your Outlook fails to connect to the POP3 or IMAP incoming server. Outlook, just like any email client, relies on an operational email server, and if Outlook can’t connect to the server, all outgoing and incoming email activities come to a stop. You will see this dialog box when the error occurs:
It is one of the common Outlook errors and is almost always caused by a connection issue. To fix 0x80042108 POP3 error, you must verify if Outlook is connected to the server and check the configuration settings of your email. In the next section, we will discuss all the methods to restore your email flow. But before that, let’s look at some reasons for this error.
What are the Reasons for Outlook Error 0x80042108?
There are various reasons that are causing error code 0x80042108 in Outlook. Here, some of the reasons are outlined below:
- Misconfigured email account settings.
- Your Outlook profile is damaged or corrupted.
- Corrupted or damaged Outlook files (OST or PST) will create issues.
- If Secure Security Layer is turned on, then it will cause errors.
- Emails have large attachments (larger than 20 MB).
Best Ways to Fix 0x80042108 Error in Outlook
Try the following methods to fix 0x80042108 POP3 error:
Method 1: Disable Antivirus Add-in
Some users install security software add-ins in Outlook. If the add-in is incompatible, it can create issues in Outlook. To verify if an add-in is the main culprit, you must open Outlook in safe mode (Outlook without any add-ins) with these steps.
Step 1: Right-click the Windows Start button and select the Run option.
Step 2: Enter outlook.exe/safe in the text box and click OK.
Step 3: Next, in the Choose Profile dialog box, select the Outlook profile that shows the Outlook error 0x80042108 and click OK.
Step 4: In this way, Outlook will open in safe mode.
Now, check if Outlook can receive or send emails without issue. If yes, then the issue is due to an incompatible add-in, and we must disable it.
How to disable Outlook add-ins?
Follow these steps to disable add-ins in Outlook safely:
Step 1: Open MS Outlook and go to File > Options.
Step 2: Now, click on Add-ins from the left panel. Click on Go.
Step 3: In the COM Add-ins dialogue box, select the anti-virus application and click on Remove option.
Step 4: Next, close the dialogue boxes and the application. Restart your system.
Method 2: Check Your Account Settings
If no faulty add-in is preventing you from sending or receiving emails, you must verify if your email account settings are correct. To fix Outlook cannot connect to your incoming (POP3) email server, follow these steps:
Step 1: Open Outlook, click File > Account Settings > Account Settings.
Step 2: Select the data file associated with the account and click Repair.
Step 3: Tick the option “Let me repair my account manually” and click Repair.
Step 4: Check out the incoming and outgoing settings. If found any issues, correct them.
Step 5: Then, restart Outlook and verify that the Outlook error 0x80042108 is resolved.
Method 3: Create a New Outlook Profile
Improper handling of Outlook, like abrupt shutdown or a virus attack, can damage your Outlook profile. This can trigger the 0x80042108 error. To fix 0x80042108 POP3 error, you must create a new profile in Outlook.
Remember to configure the new profile with the same account in which you were having trouble sending or receiving emails. Also, make sure to make the new profile your default Outlook profile.
Method 5: Repair Outlook Data File (OST and PST)
Corruption in the Outlook profile is not the only thing you must be aware of. The Outlook data files, OST and PST, are also prone to corruption. Any damage to these Outlook files will halt the usual flow of emails. To resolve Outlook is unable to connect to your incoming (POP3) email server issue when your OST or PST file is damaged, do this:
- Repair the OST file: Many articles recommend using the ScanPST.exe for OST file repair. I have tried it and it’s not that great. For me, the most effective way to remove corruption is to recreate OST file in Outlook.
- Repair PST file: In case of PST, you can go ahead with the ScanPST.exe. However, the free native tool can only handle minor issues like data inconsistency or header errors and may fail to help in case of severe corruption.
If ScanPST.exe fails to fix the PST, don’t wait and run it multiple times; it won’t help. Instead, go for a professional PST file repair tool that can restore PST to its healthy state without data loss.
Method 6: Repair Office 365
If none of the methods above could help you fix 0x80042108 POP3 error, try to repair Office. Repairing will help to resolve any underlying bugs or damaged program files within the Office suite that may be causing the connection issue. Steps to repair Office suite are:
Step 1: Go to Control Panel and click on Programs and Features option.
Step 2: Look for the Microsoft suite application in the list of installed apps.
Step 3: Right-click on it and select Change option.
Step 4: You have two ways to repair Outlook: Quick Repair and Online Repair. Start with the Quick Repair option, and if that doesn’t work, run Online Repair.
Final Verdict
Don't panic when you see Outlook error 0x80042108; your emails are safe. They are just invisible due to a connection blockage. Fix the problem with the methods given above. If you add a new Outlook profile, make sure it sets it as the default. Furthermore, if you have a PST file with heavy corruption, don’t risk your data with manual solutions. Perform complete data restoration using Kernel for Outlook PST Repair.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can an oversized OST or PST file hang Outlook?
A: Yes, it can. If your OST file has grown too big, extract its data to a local PST file. Alternatively, for an oversized PST file, you can split PST into multiple smaller files.
Q: I have slow internet. How can I increase the Outlook Server Timeout limit?
A: To increase the Outlook Server Timeout limit follow below steps:
- Open Outlook, click File > Account Settings > Account Settings.
- Select the email account and click on Change.
- Now, click on More Settings and modify the Server Timeouts
Q: How to extract specific emails from an archived Outlook PST file?
A: You have to first import the PST into Outlook and then drag and drop the emails to any folder on your system. Doing this will automatically convert PST to MSG files (each email will be saved to a separate .msg file).
