{"id":64466,"date":"2020-09-16T07:49:12","date_gmt":"2020-09-16T07:49:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.stellarinfo.com\/blog\/?p=64466"},"modified":"2024-05-31T11:00:28","modified_gmt":"2024-05-31T11:00:28","slug":"unknown-error-occurred-error-code-0x8000ffff-outlook","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stellarinfo.com\/blog\/unknown-error-occurred-error-code-0x8000ffff-outlook\/","title":{"rendered":"An unknown error occurred, error code 0x8000ffff Outlook"},"content":{"rendered":"

When trying to add an Outlook data file (PST), several Outlook 2016 users have reported about receiving an error code: 0x8000ffff. The complete error message reads as: <\/p>

An unknown error occurred, error code: 0x8000ffff<\/strong><\/p>

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\"Outlook
Figure 1 – Microsoft Outlook “An unknown error occurred, error code 0x8000ffff” Error Message<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>

The error will prevent you from adding a new Outlook data file or even stop Outlook from opening, thus bringing your work to halt.<\/p>

Also read: <\/strong>Error Solved: “Microsoft Outlook 2016 Has Stopped Working”<\/strong><\/a><\/p>

What Causes ‘An unknown error occurred, error code 0x8000ffff’ in Outlook 2016?<\/strong><\/h2>

There is no evident answer as to what causes this error. However, as reported by users, it occurs when trying to add a data file in Outlook 2016 by opening the Mail applet in Control Panel and then clicking Add on the Data File tab.<\/p>

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\"adding
Figure 2 – Illustrates Adding an Outlook Data File<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>

Workarounds to Fix ‘An unknown error occurred, error code 0x8000ffff’ in Outlook 2016<\/strong><\/h2>

Following are two simple workarounds that may help you fix the Outlook 2016 error 0x8000ffff<\/strong>:<\/p>

Workaround 1 – Add the Outlook Data File (PST) via Account Settings<\/strong><\/h3>

Note:<\/strong> If Outlook won’t open, skip to the next workaround<\/a>.<\/p>

Try adding the data file via Account Settings in Outlook 2016 by performing these steps:<\/p>

Step 1: In Outlook 2016<\/strong>, click the File <\/strong>tab.<\/p>

Step 2: In the screen that appears, click Account Settings<\/strong> > Account Settings<\/strong>.<\/p>

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\"open
Figure 3 – Open Account Settings<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>

Step 3: The Account Settings<\/strong> window gets displayed. From the Data Files<\/strong> tab, click Add<\/strong>.<\/p>

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\"add
Figure 4 – Click Add under the Data Files tab<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>

Step 4: Specify the data file name, and then click OK<\/strong>.<\/p>

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\"specify
Figure 5 – Assign a Name to Outlook Data File<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>

Step 5: Once the data file gets added, click Close<\/strong> to exit the Account Settings window.<\/p>

Workaround 2 – Create a New Outlook Profile<\/strong><\/h3>

If you cannot access Outlook, try creating a new Outlook profile to fix the error. Follow these steps to create a new profile:<\/p>

Step 1: Close your Outlook application.<\/p>

Step 2: Open Control Panel<\/strong>, and click Mail<\/strong>.<\/p>

Step 3: From the Mail Setup <\/strong>dialog box, select Show Profiles<\/strong>.<\/p>

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\"mail
Figure 6 – Mail Setup Window<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>

Step 4: Click Add<\/strong> to add a new Outlook profile in the Mail dialog box.<\/p>

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\"add
Figure 7 – Illustrates Adding an Outlook Profile<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>

Step 5: In New Profile <\/strong>dialog box, enter profile name, and then click OK<\/strong>.<\/p>

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\"enter
Figure 8 – Enter Profile Name<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>

Step 6: When the Add Account <\/strong>window appears, enter the E-mail account details for the profile you have created. Click Next<\/strong>.<\/p>

Step 7: Follow the prompts on screen, and choose Finish<\/strong> when completed.<\/p>

Step 8:  From the Mail dialog box, select the profile you have just created from the dropdown menu. Click OK<\/strong>.<\/p>

Now open Outlook again and check if the issue is resolved.<\/p>

What If the Error Persists?<\/strong><\/h2>

If none of the above workarounds helps fix the Outlook unknown error 0X8000ffff, run the Microsoft built-in ‘Inbox Repair Tool (or ScanPST.exe)’ to diagnose corruption errors in the PST file. If it reports any errors, proceed with repairing the file by using the built-in repair tool. Here are the steps to do so:<\/p>

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  1. Exit Outlook<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Look for ScanPST.exe on your computer.<\/li>\n<\/ol>

    Note:<\/strong> The ScanPST.exe location can differ based on the Outlook version you are using. To know its location, read this: How to Find Scanpst.exe in Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010 and 2007?<\/a> )<\/p>

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    • Once found, double-click ScanPST.exe<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • The Microsoft Inbox Repair Tool <\/strong>box is displayed. Find the PST file you need to repair by clicking Browse<\/strong>. You can also type its location in the ‘Enter the name of the file you want to scan’ box.<\/li>\n<\/ul>
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      \"inbox
      Figure 9 – Microsoft Outlook Inbox Repair Tool<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>
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      • Once you’ve selected the file, choose Start<\/strong> to initiate the repair process.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • After completion of the repair process, launch Outlook, and create a new PST in your profile.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Drag and drop the recovered mail items (present in a ‘Lost and Found’ folder) to the new PST file.<\/li>\n<\/ul>

        In case, ScanPST.exe utility fails<\/a> to fix corruption in the Outlook data file (.pst), use Stellar Repair for Outlook<\/strong> software to repair the corrupt PST file and recover its components. It can retrieve deleted emails and all other mail items in their original, intact form.<\/p>

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        \"Stellar\"<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>

        Unlike the ‘Inbox Repair Tool’, the PST file repair software<\/strong><\/a> from Stellar<\/strong>®<\/strong> can repair a severely corrupt PST file regardless of the file size. Also, the software can split and compact a large-sized Outlook data file.<\/p>

        Watch this video to know how to repair corrupted PST with Stellar Repair for Outlook:<\/strong><\/p>