Suppose you are using Microsoft Outlook 2016, and as you open Mail in Control Panel and then click Add on the Data File tab, you receive the following error message:
The error is also named as unexpected failure error that arises when Outlook experiences corruption or configuration errors. Outlook error 0x8000ffff will restrict you from opening the application or adding a new data file in Outlook. All this means a direct decline in productivity.
Why Does the Outlook Error 0x8000ffff Appear?
The user may face the above error when they try to add a new data file through the Mail application in the Control Panel. Although Microsoft has not given a precise explanation regarding the error, there can be many possible causes behind the error, such as:
- The Registry Settings are corrupt.
- The system files are either damaged or corrupt.
- Incorrect date and time settings.
- The system drivers are out of date.
- The user has limited access.
- Software installation wasn’t completed.
- The Windows update process failed.
How to Fix Outlook Unknown Error Code 0x8000ffff?
We are going to mention a few methods that you can try to fix Outlook Error 0x8000ffff:
Method 1: Add Outlook Data File
You can try to add Data Files in Outlook to fix Outlook Error 0x8000ffff. Let’s see how to do it, step by step:
Step 1: with launching Outlook on your system.
Step 2: Once Outlook is open, click on the File to open the Fileoption.
Step 3: Now, click on the Account settings, option and you will see a dropdown list; from there select Account Settings.
Step 4: Now, select the Data Files tab, and click on the Add button.
Step 5: Right after clicking on the Add button, add the file. Click on OK once added.
Step 6: Finally, click on the Close button in the Account Settings to finish the task.
Method 2: Create new Outlook profile
Outlook profile plays a vital role in sending/receiving emails via Outlook. It stores email account settings, data file location, and other important information regarding settings. Sometimes, a corrupted Outlook profile can also cause errors, which disrupts email synchronization. If you are unable to access your Outlook profile due to error code 0x8000ffff, try to create a new Outlook profile. Creating a new profile can also help in resolving this error.
Method 3: Use ScanPST.exe
Outlook stores emails and other data in the form of .pst file. These files can get damaged or corrupted due to many reasons. If the above methods are not enough to fix error code 0x8000ffff in MS Outlook, then it might be due to corruption issues. You can fix your file with an inbuilt tool offered by Outlook, use Inbox Repair Tool. It is already installed with MS Outlook.
Once you are done with this process, your file should be repaired. If not, it means that the corruption was severe and SCANPST.EXE was unable to fix it. If this is the case with you, then you need to try a professional tool to fix it.
Use an Automated PST Repair Tool to Fix Highly Corrupted Outlook Data Files
Kernel for Outlook PST Repair is an expert-recommended solution that can fix any sort of corruption in a PST file. This PST repair tool fixes severely corrupt single or multiple PST files with no file size limitation. Just add that corrupt PST file in this tool and proceed as per the instructions and your file will be repaired in just a few simple steps. This tool helps to fix Outlook Unknown Error Code 0x8000ffff, occurring due to file corruption, and provides various features, some of which are mentioned below:
- Quickly repair oversized PST files.
- Preview all items after repairing.
- Recover permanently deleted items.
- Export PST files to other formats seamlessly.
Conclusion
Outlook can frequently encounter unknown error. These errors can mess up Outlook’s functionality. Error code 0x8000ffff in Outlook occurs when you try to add data files or due to corruption in file. Fix your corrupted file with ScanPST.exe, if it fails then it can be because of severely corrupted file created by your Outlook application. To fix highly corrupted PST files, we recommend using Kernel for Outlook PST Repair tool.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Outlook Error 0x8000ffff?
A: Outlook Unknown Error Code 0x8000ffff or catastrophic failure occurs on your Windows OS due to corrupted system files or improper configuration.
Q: Why is Scanpst.exe not a suitable option to resolve the error?
A: Scanpst.exe or the Microsoft Outlook’s built-in Inbox Repair Tool is suitable to repair Outlook data files with minor damage. However, if the files are badly damaged, this utility fails to repair them. Moreover, there is high risk of data loss.
