Fix: Microsoft Outlook is Requesting Data From the Server

People generally use Microsoft Outlook to keep track of their schedules and emails. There are occasions, though, when you may have received the message ‘Microsoft Outlook is requesting data from the server’ much like the ‘Cannot open Outlook window, The set of folders cannot be opened.’ error.

When you’re waiting for emails or appointments to arrive, this might be annoying. So, what causes this, and how can it be stopped? To learn more about it, stay tuned.

What does ‘Microsoft Outlook is requesting data from the server’ mean?

Short Answer: The message ‘Microsoft Outlook is requesting data from the server’ indicates that Outlook is currently in the process of asking the server for information. This message generally appears when Outlook delays getting data from the server or communicating with it.

Diagnosing and resolving this issue can be complex due to the variety of potential causes for the delay. Some of the factors that might contribute to this delay include:

• Performance problems on the Exchange server
• Issues related to the network connection
• Problems tied to Active Directory, such as performance issues
• Presence of a large number of items in mailboxes
• Problems within the client itself (Outlook) or its add-ins

Fix: Microsoft Outlook is requesting data from the server

Method 1: Uncheck the ‘Use Cached Exchange’ mode

• Step 1: Navigate to the ‘Mail’ section from the Control Panel.
• Step 2: From the Account settings, go to the “Email Accounts” tab.
• Step 3: Choose “Change,” then uncheck “Use Cached Exchange Mode.”

You may try the next approach if this one doesn’t work.

Method 2: Create a fresh Outlook profile and modify your cache

• Step 1: Make sure you exit Outlook
• Step 2: Remove everything excluding .pst files from %localappdata%\microsoft\outlook
• Step 3: Erase every detail from %appdata%\microsoft\outlook as well
• Step 4: Get rid of the profile through outlook.exe /manageprofiles
• Step 5: Open the Control Panel and go to Mail Setup
• Step 6: Choose “Show Profiles” and then Add
• Step 7: Give the new profile a name, and then click OK
• Step 8: In the next box, enter your email address and password
• Step 9: Choose Next, then select “Always use this profile”
• Step 10: Choose the new profile from the list and press OK
• Step 11: Launch Outlook and go to the File menu
• Step 12: Choose Account and Social Network Settings followed by Account Settings
• Step 13: Select the E-mail tab and then the Change button
• Step 14: Verify that Cached Exchange Mode is on
• Step 15: Configure the “Mail to keep offline” time frame to 6 months
• Step 16: Choose Next, then Finish
• Step 17: Close and re-open Outlook

Method 3: Disable Download shared folders

• Step 1: Navigate to Account Settings on Outlook
• Step 2: Make sure the Email tab has been selected
• Step 3: Choose your desired Microsoft Exchange account
• Step 4: Navigate to the Change option above and click on it
• Step 5: From the resulting window, choose More Settings
• Step 6: Now, select the Advanced tab and deselect the box labeled Download shared folders
• Step 7: Following this, click OK, then Next
• Step 8: Finally click on Finish to exit the Account Settings window

Method 4: Perform a Repair on your Outlook account

Imagine you’ve set up everything perfectly in Outlook, like setting up pieces of a puzzle in the right order, however, these settings get messed up. This can lead to issues, like the problem you’re dealing with right now.

This is the point at which fixing your Outlook account becomes necessary. Here are the steps to do so:

• Step 1: First, launch Outlook
• Step 2: Select File, then Info
• Step 3: Choose Account and Social Network Settings, followed by Account Settings
• Step 4: Choose your account and press the “Repair” button

Information regarding your account (or only a confirmation of it) will be requested. Make sure you follow the instructions.

• Step 5: Select the “Next” option

In this way, should there be an issue, Outlook will instantly connect to the server and perform repairs.

Method 5: Switch to Outlook’s Safe Mode and Deactivate Plug-ins

Plug-ins are like extra tools you can add to make Outlook even more useful. However, these extra tools might not work properly with Outlook, and that can lead to trouble. This means you’ll need to stop using the plug-ins that are causing problems.

• Step 1: Open the “Run” dialog by pressing Windows + R
• Step 2: Write “Outlook.exe /safe” and click on Enter

One of your extensions could be causing the issue if Outlook only connects to the server when you switch to “safe mode.” To fix this, exit Outlook and launch it again in regular mode (not safe mode).

• Step 3: Select File, then Options, and finally Add-ins from the left bar
• Step 4: Select the “Go” icon and then browse the “COM Add-ins” section to the right
• Step 5: Disable each plug-in one by one
• Step 6: Finally click on OK
• Step 7: Test if Outlook works better

SEE ALSO:

• 7 Fixes : Microsoft Outlook Not Implemented
• Fix: ‘Cannot Open Outlook Window. The Set Of Folders Cannot Be Opened.’ Error
• Fix: Outlook ‘Something Went Wrong & Your Search Couldn’t Be Completed’
• Fix An Encrypted Connection To Your Mail Server Is Not Available Outlook

Final Words

Frustrating as it may be to deal with the “Microsoft Outlook is requesting data from the server” error, you now have the tools to fix the issue.

There will be no more waiting around for emails or losing out on important data. By using these fixes, you’re getting back in charge of how Outlook works for you.

Akshita Pattanayak

An anime aficionado who also maintains a keen interest in global developments in the fields of technology & gadgets. In her downtime, she can be found trying out all possible varieties of dumplings. A strong believer in animal rights, she can’t help but pet every cat she sees.