The 0x800ccc78 error message usually appears next to the words “unknown error”, giving the impression that the problem is impossible to diagnose and fix. However, like most software problems, the solution is a lot easier than you think. Changing some settings should be enough to make Outlook work normally, getting rid of the 0x800ccc78 error.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Configuring the SMTP Server
Step 1. Open Outlook normally
If it is already open and the error message appears, close it and reopen the program before continuing.
Step 2. Click on “Tools” and then on “Account Settings”
The tool button should be on the top bar of the program, and “Account Settings” will be found in the dropdown menu that will appear.
Note that, in some versions of Outlook, you need to go into "File", "Information" and then "Account Settings"
Step 3. Select the “Email” tab under “Account Settings”
After clicking on this option, a small box with several tabs should appear; choose “Email” to have your account displayed.
Step 4. Choose “More Options” in the lower right corner so that more alternatives will open in a smaller window with more tabs
Click on “Outbox” to get to the final set of preferences.
Step 5. Check if the output settings are correct
There are only two options that really matter, and that need to be checked for Outlook to work correctly:
- The first is "My outgoing server (SMTP) requires authentication";
- And the second is “Use the same settings on the incoming server”, which can be selected by clicking on the little balloon.
Step 6. Choose "OK" and exit preferences to return to email
Do not select the “Test Account Settings” option, as this will not work and may even make it necessary to change other preferences again. Click “Finish” to close the other settings box and then “Close” to exit Account Settings.
Depending on the version of Outlook you have, preferences may have different names, but the important thing is not to click “Cancel”. When exiting the settings, just choose “OK”, “Finish” or “Finish”
Step 7. Restart Outlook and try to send a message, which is when the error occurs
Restart the program and try sending it again to see if it works.
If that doesn't work, don't despair and continue reading the article to test the solutions below
Method 2 of 3: Resetting the Outbound Port
Step 1. Go back to “Account Settings” within the “Tools” menu (sometimes the name of this menu might be “Email Account Settings”)
This method works specifically for the times error 0x800ccc78 happens when trying to send an email.
Step 2. Click “Next to View” to access the next email account
If you like, try choosing “Change E-mail Account” in some versions; basically, you will need to manually reconfigure some outgoing email preferences by redoing the server options related to the email address connected to Outlook.
Step 3. Double click on the email account in question and then on “More Options”
If you have only one email account connected to Outlook, click on it to enter a more detailed menu where you can adjust the ports. The option “My outgoing server requires authentication” (which should have been checked in the previous method) still needs to be selected.
Step 4. Click on the “Advanced” tab if the right option is still selected
However, be very careful when making changes to this page; it has a lot of crucial information installed, but you should just change the port number.
Step 5. Change the “Outgoing Server” port number to 587
When only this preference is changed, the problem must be resolved; click “OK” and “Finish” to exit all menus (never choose “Cancel” or press the “X”). See if the changes took effect; otherwise, try the last method below.
Method 3 of 3: Fixing a Damaged PST File
Step 1. Before trying this solution, try to solve the problem with the above methods
When the PST (Personal Storage Tables) file gets too large, it can become corrupted, causing errors that can be fixed. It's not very difficult, but the ideal is to try to solve the problem using one of the two previous methods, which are simpler and less invasive. That said, using a program to repair PST files isn't very complex, and it doesn't cause complications in most cases. The best thing is that Microsoft has the Inbox Repair tool, which fixes PSTs and comes with Outlook.
Step 2. Open a PST file repair program
Windows users may have the program "Scanpst.exe" which will perform this task. For Mac users, this option may not be available; in this case, search the internet and download the program "Outlook PST Repair".
- Baixaki's website has programs that fix PST files.
- Sometimes the “Scanpst” is hidden; find it by pasting the following path into the Windows Explorer search bar (without quotes): “Program Files\Microsoft Office\”, and click on the “Office” folder, where the “Scanpst” executable will be. If nothing is found, add “(x86)” (without quotes) after “Program Files”.
Step 3. Open Outlook to find the location of PSTs
Go back to "Account Settings" (via the "Tools" menu or "File" and "Information") and click on the "Data Files" tab. A list of all emails will be displayed; select the problem address and choose “Open File Location” to show a Windows Explorer window with the PST file.\
Remember this location as you will need it later
Step 4. Go back to the program used to repair PST files and locate the. PST you just found
Click on "Search" or "Browse PST", selecting the Outlook. PST. In certain apps, just click and drag it over the old file.
Step 5. Click "Start" and follow the onscreen instructions
The first step is scanning the PST files; most likely, the program will ask you to confirm that you want to repair it. Click on “Repair” to have the old file fixed, preventing future problems.
Automatically, a backup of the PST file will be created; don't worry about losing old data
Step 6. Open Outlook with the new PST file
After repairing the old one, just drag the new one and leave it next to the old one, which should be placed in a separate folder and saved, in case something doesn't work. If you are having difficulty syncing the new file, go back to the "Data Files" menu under "Account Settings". There, look for the “Add File” button on the left and click to use the new PST.
Leave the folder that has the PSTs open while using Outlook. This allows you to find them more easily if needed in the future
Tips
This error usually occurs when the computer has a virus or Outlook has not shut down properly
Notices
- If possible, back up your emails before adjusting the settings.
- Don't download any programs (even PST Repair) from websites you don't trust.