Outlook for Mac facilitates offline working in an Exchange environment. Synchronization between the server and client application is done so that whenever there is any modification in the Server-side or client-side, the change gets updated on the other side. Sometimes, this synchronization process gets affected partially or fully. Due to this, mailboxes are not updated on the server-side as well as on the client-side.
Prominent Reasons Behind this Synchronization Issue
Many Outlook for Mac users face this issue, and so we need to realize the causes behind it. We have stated them here:
- Offline Mode: Your Outlook for Mac is in Offline Mode
- Failed to Connect: You failed to connect Outlook for Mac with the Exchange Server
- Cache Issue: Your Outlook Cache is corrupted
- Settings: Settings are not accurately configured
Learn quick tips to troubleshoot Mac Outlook not syncing with Exchange server 2016. The post explains finest method to fix Outlook for Mac 2016 not syncing with Exchange. Try best tricks to resolve Outlook 2011 for Mac not Syncing with exchange 2016, 2013, 2010. Generally, Mac Outlook users face an issue regarding connectivity of the Exchange Server. It is observed in older as well as newer versions. The post explains multiple workaround solutions to fix Mac Outlook 2016 not syncing with the Exchange Server.
Fixing “Outlook for Mac not syncing with Exchange Server” issue
Now, as you have got the main reasons behind the issue, we will provide you some ways to get out of this issue.
Read Also: What Outlook for Mac Users can do when their Exchange mailbox is full?
- Check Offline Mode
It is the most basic check that you can perform before pursuing any other method. Go to the Outlook menu and check if the Work Offline option is selected or not. If selected, unselect it and check if the synchronization is better now. - Rebuild the Outlook for Mac File
To fix this issue, you should perform the troubleshooting as explained here.
Firstly, close all the Outlook for Mac related processes currently running on the system. Take a backup of the Identities folder of Outlook for Mac in C drive. Then click on Outlook application with Alt key on hold to start the Microsoft Database Utility app. Here, select the identity which you want to recreate and click the Rebuild option to create it. Wait until the process gets completed. - Clear Cache in Outlook
This method works when any specific folder is not synchronizing, but the rest of the Exchange folders are synchronizing with the Outlook. Here is the fix.
First, ensure that there is a connection between Outlook for Mac and Exchange Server. Right-click on the respective Exchange folder which is not synchronizing and click on the Properties option. Now, switch to the General tab and click on the option Empty Cache. Next, check if the folder is synchronized and new items are received in it. - Confirm Exchange Connectivity
The issue can be due to error in connection of Outlook with the correct Exchange Server. You should check it once to confirm if this is the issue. Follow this process:Go to Tools > Accounts in your Outlook for Mac and check over the Exchange Account. If there is an orange indicator against the added Exchange account, then it means there is some issue with it. You can try disconnecting it and re-configuring it. Try connecting it with Outlook on the web and check the status of Exchange Server now. If everything is fine, connect the desired server again.
The above methods are easy and can solve the synchronization issue between Outlook for Mac and Exchange Server. You can give these solutions a try and get rid of that unwanted situation quickly.
How to Retrieve Inaccessible Outlook for Mac Data?
If you are still not able to fix the issue with your Outlook for Mac data file, you can think of converting the OLM file to PST and recover its data. For this, we bring the most promising OLM Converter tool – Kernel for OLM to PST Converter tool, which converts OLM file to Outlook 2019, 2016 & 2013. It also allows users to make secure migration from OLM to Exchange Server and cloud-based platform of Office 365. The tool provides many filter options for users to move only specific data to the destination. Also, it provides complete support to all Outlook for Mac versions including Outlook 2016 for Mac.
You may better understand the OLM to PST conversion process by going through the steps of the tool.
- Run Kernel OLM to PST Converter and use Browse or Search (for automatic search in the selected system drive) option to add the desired number of OLM files for conversion purposes. Click Next.
- After scanning the files, select any mailbox item and view its preview. Now, click the Save option.
Note 1: You can save file items in multiple formats by right-clicking and selecting the required option.
Note 2: With the Find option on the Toolbar, you can perform a deep search for any mailbox item using multiple filters and options. - Choose PST File (MS Outlook) option. Click Next.
- Add filters like email metadata (From, To, Subject), Item Type, and Date Range as required and click Next.
- To manage the converted PST file size, you can use the Split option and also can add a prefix to the store name.
- Browse and add the saving path location for the converted PST file and click Finish.
- The conversion process will get started and soon completes with a confirmation message.
So, conversion of OLM to PST file is quite handy with the Kernel OLM to PST Converter software.
Final Words
Due to the Exchange synchronization issue, Outlook for Mac users may not have the updated information in their mailboxes. This issue can be fixed in many ways. However, if all these methods fail to fix the issue, they can think of recovering Outlook for Mac data using an OLM to PST converter.
More Information
-->Original KB number: 2872257
Summary
Outlook for Mac provides the option to enable logging for the following features:
- AutoDiscover service
- Microsoft Exchange (folder and item synchronization)
- Microsoft Exchange Calendar
- LDAP transactions
In Outlook 2016 for Mac version 15.12.3 and later versions, the following features are also logged in addition to those listed earlier:
- Database
- IMAP
- Network Connections
- Import
- Upgrade
- Sync
More information
To enable logging in Outlook 2016 for Mac, follow these steps
Enable logging
- On the Window menu, select Sync Errors.
- In the Sync Errors window, select the Gear icon.
- Select the Turn on logging for troubleshooting option, and then select OK.
- Restart Outlook and when prompted to turn off logging select Leave Logging On and reproduce the issue you experience and then Quit Outlook to stop the log capture
To disable logging:
- Restart Outlook and when prompted to turn off logging, select Turn Logging Of. If you disable logging manually, you must restart Outlook to fully disable logging, otherwise it will continue logging in the background.
To enable logging in Outlook for Mac 2011, follow these steps
Enable logging
- On the Window menu, select Error Log.
- In the Error window, select the Gear icon.
- Select the Turn on logging for troubleshooting option, and then select OK.
- Close the Error window.
To disable logging:
- Restart Outlook and when prompted to turn off logging select Turn Logging Off. If you disable logging manually you must restart Outlook to fully disable logging, otherwise it will continue logging in the background.
Note
It is important to turn off logging after you complete your troubleshooting and reproduce the issue. If logging is not turned off, the log files size will continue to increase. If you must keep logging enabled for several hours or several days in order to capture the issue, make sure that the hard disk has sufficient free space.
Log file locations
Depending on the edition and version of Outlook for Mac in which the log is being collected, the log name and location will differ. To locate the log, see the following table.
Outlook for Mac edition | Version | Location | File name |
---|---|---|---|
Outlook for Mac 2011 | 14.0.0 - 14.2.4 | ~/Desktop/ | Microsoft Outlook_Troubleshooting_0.log |
Outlook for Mac 2011 | 14.2.5 - current | ~/Desktop/OfficeLogging/ | Microsoft Outlook_Troubleshooting_#.csv |
Outlook 2016 for Mac | 15.3 - 15.11.2 | ~/Library/Group Containers/ UBF8T346G9.Office/OfficeLogging/ | Microsoft Outlook_Troubleshooting_#.csv |
Outlook 2016 for Mac | 15.12.3 - Current | ~/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.Outlook/Data/Library/Logs/ | Microsoft outlook-<date>-<time>.log |
Note
The character combination '~/' in the Location column in this table refers to the Home folder of the user. This folder is located under the Users folder on the root of the hard disk.
Important
In Outlook for Mac 2011 version 14.2.4 and earlier versions, data was appended to the same log file for every Outlook session. In Outlook for Mac 2011 version 14.2.5 and later versions and in Outlook 2016 for Mac, every time that you quit and start Outlook when logging is enabled, a new log file is created.
Viewing the log file
When you collect and send the log file, Microsoft Customer Service and Support uses it to identify issues. If you are a messaging server administrator, you can use the information in the log file to diagnose issues when you troubleshoot.
The log file contains the following information:
- Issues that occur when email messages, calendar items, notes, tasks, and meeting requests are sent or received.
- Type or severity of errors, if known.
In the Outlook for Mac log collected for Outlook for Mac 2011 and Outlook 2016 for Mac through version 15.11.2, each entry has a name that identifies the feature that is being logged. The following table lists the label for each feature.
Feature | Label that identifies the feature in the log file |
---|---|
AutoDiscover service | Outlook Exchange Auto Configure |
Exchange (folder and item synchronization) | Outlook Exchange Web Services |
Exchange Calendar | Outlook Calendar |
LDAP transactions | Outlook LDAP |
In Outlook 2016 for Mac version 15.12.3 and later versions, the log file opens in the Console and you can view it while Outlook is running. Each entry has a name that identifies the feature that is being logged. The following table lists the label for each feature.
Outlook For Mac Not Syncing
Feature | Label that identifies the feature in the log file |
---|---|
AutoDiscover service | outlook.account.exchange.addaccount.config |
Exchange (folder and item synchronization) | outlook.exchange.ews |
Exchange Calendar | outlook.calendar |
LDAP transactions | outlook.account.ldap |
Database | outlook.database |
IMAP | outlook.account.imap |
Network Connections | outlook.network |
Import | outlook.import |
Upgrade | outlook.database.upgrade |
Sync | outlook.sync |
Note
The log file may also contain user information. This includes user name, sender and receiver's email addresses, and the contents of the user's email messages, notes, tasks, calendar, and contacts. Microsoft does not use this information to contact users without their consent. If you are concerned that the data file contains sensitive or confidential information, you may review the contents of the data file by using text-editing software and then remove the information from the file before you send the data file to support professionals. Authentication information is not included in the log files.
Microsoft Outlook 2016 Synchronization Issues
EWS SyncState message size
Starting with the Outlook for Mac 2011 14.3.4 update, the size of the SyncState binary large object (BLOB) of EWS messages increased from 6 kilobytes (KB) to 32 KB and can be increased up to no more than 300 KB. If you are troubleshooting an issue in which you have to view more of this data, you must increase this value. To increase the default value of the SyncState binary large object of EWS messages, follow these steps:
Outlook
- Exit Outlook 2011.
- Open Terminal.
- To set the SyncState binary large object of EWS messages to a specific size, type the following command in Terminal window:NoteThe placeholder <max bytes> represents a byte value. For example, if you want to change the maximum byte size to 10 KB, you would type the value 10240.
- To set the SyncState binary large object of EWS messages back to the default size of 32 KB, type the following command in Terminal window:
- Start Outlook, and then enable Outlook logging.