Outlook Error 0x800ccc13: Fixes That Work

Outlook error 0x800ccc13 means the mail client cannot connect to your email server, usually because of a broken network link, an incorrect account setting, or a corrupted send/receive configuration. This guide walks you through the most effective fixes, from simple restarts to rebuilding your Outlook profile, so you can get back to sending and receiving email quickly.

What Causes Outlook Error 0x800ccc13?

This error is part of the 0x800CCCXX family of Outlook connection errors. It typically appears when Outlook tries to connect to your incoming or outgoing mail server but the connection is interrupted or rejected. Common triggers include:

• Unstable internet connections or VPNs that block the required ports.
• Incorrect server settings after an email provider change or password reset.
• Antivirus or firewall software that mistakenly blocks Outlook.
• A corrupted Outlook profile or damaged send/receive settings.
• Outdated Outlook version or Windows system files.

While the error message itself is generic, the underlying issue is almost always one of these. The fixes below address each cause in order of likelihood.

Before You Start: Quick Checks

These preliminary steps take less than a minute and resolve the issue in many cases, especially if the error appeared suddenly.

1. Restart Outlook and your computer. A simple reboot clears temporary glitches that can block the connection.
2. Check your internet connection. Open a web browser and visit a site like example.com. If that fails, fix your network first.
3. Disable your VPN temporarily. VPNs can interfere with Outlook’s connection to mail servers. Turn it off and try sending a test email.
4. Verify your password. If you recently changed your email password, update it in Outlook. Go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings, select your account, and click Change to enter the new password.

If the error persists after these checks, proceed to the more targeted fixes below.

Fix 1: Check Your Server Settings

Incorrect server names or ports are a leading cause of error 0x800ccc13. This often happens after an email provider migrates servers or changes security requirements.

1. Open Outlook and go to File > Account Settings &em; Account Settings.
2. Select your email account and click Change.
3. Click More Settings and go to the Advanced tab.
4. Verify the Incoming server and Outgoing server ports match what your email provider specifies. Common defaults are:

• IMAP: 993 (SSL) or 143 (STARTTLS)
• POP3: 995 (SSL) or 110 (STARTTLS)
• SMTP: 465 (SSL) or 587 (STARTTLS)

Also ensure the SSL/TLS or STARTTLS encryption method matches your provider’s requirements. If you’re unsure, check your provider’s help page or contact their support. Wrong ports or encryption will cause the connection to fail with this error.

Fix 2: Disable Antivirus and Firewall Interference

Antivirus programs and Windows Defender Firewall sometimes block Outlook’s connection to mail servers, mistaking it for a threat. This is more common after an antivirus update or a new installation.

1. Open your antivirus program and look for settings related to email scanning or firewall.
2. Temporarily disable the email scanning feature (if available) and try sending a test email.
3. If that works, re-enable email scanning but add Outlook to the exception list.

For Windows Defender Firewall:

1. Go to Control Panel > System and Security > Windows Defender Firewall.
2. Click Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall.
3. Find Microsoft Outlook in the list. If it’s missing, click Allow another app and browse to C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\OUTLOOK.EXE (the path may vary).
4. Ensure both Private and Public checkboxes are checked, then click OK.

After making changes, restart Outlook. If the error disappears, you’ve found the culprit.

Fix 3: Repair Your Outlook Profile

A corrupted Outlook profile can cause persistent connection errors. Repairing the profile is a safe step that preserves your emails and settings.

1. Exit Outlook.
2. Open Control Panel > Mail (search for “Mail” if you don’t see it).
3. Click Show Profiles.
4. Select your profile and click Properties.
5. Click Email Accounts, then select your account and click Repair.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions. Outlook will attempt to fix the account settings automatically.

If the repair doesn’t work, you can create a new profile:

1. In the Mail setup window, click Add to create a new profile.
2. Enter a name and set up your email account again.
3. When prompted to choose a profile, select the new one and set it as default.

Your old profile’s data (emails, contacts) remains intact; you can import it later if needed.

Fix 4: Run Outlook in Safe Mode and Use Built-in Repair

Outlook’s safe mode disables add-ins that might be interfering with the connection. This is a quick diagnostic step.

1. Press Win + R, type outlook.exe /safe, and press Enter.
2. If Outlook opens without the error, an add-in is the problem. Go to File > Options > Add-ins.
3. Select COM Add-ins from the Manage dropdown and click Go.
4. Uncheck all add-ins, restart Outlook normally, and re-enable them one by one to find the culprit.

If safe mode doesn’t help, run the built-in Microsoft Office repair tool:

1. Go to Control Panel > Programs and Features.
2. Find your Microsoft Office installation, select it, and click Change.
3. Choose Quick Repair first. If that fails, try Online Repair (requires internet).

This process can take 10-30 minutes but often resolves deeper corruption.

Fix 5: Rebuild the Send/Receive Settings

Sometimes the send/receive groups in Outlook become corrupted. Resetting them can clear error 0x800ccc13.

1. In Outlook, go to Send/Receive > Send/Receive Groups > Define Send/Receive Groups.
2. Select the group (usually “All Accounts”) and click Edit.
3. Ensure your email account is checked for both Send and Receive.
4. Click OK and then Close.

If the settings look correct but the error persists, delete the group and recreate it:

1. In the same window, select the group and click Copy to create a backup.
2. Then select the original group and click Remove.
3. Click New to create a new group, add your account, and set the send/receive options.

This resets the internal configuration that might be causing the connection failure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Outlook error 0x800ccc13 appear only when I send emails?

If the error occurs only on sending, the problem is likely with your SMTP server settings. Verify the outgoing server port and encryption (usually 465 with SSL or 587 with STARTTLS). Also check if your email provider requires authentication for SMTP—enable “My outgoing server (SMTP) requires authentication” in More Settings > Outgoing Server.

Can a large attachment cause error 0x800ccc13?

Yes, if your email provider has a size limit (often 20-25 MB), sending a larger attachment will trigger a connection error. Try compressing the file or using a cloud storage link instead. The error might also appear if your internet connection is too slow to upload the file within the server’s timeout period.

Does this error affect Outlook on Mac or mobile?

The 0x800ccc13 error is specific to the Windows desktop version of Outlook. Mac users may see a different error code, but the underlying causes (server settings, network issues) are similar. For mobile Outlook apps, the error code is usually different as well, but the fixes for server settings and network still apply.

Will I lose my emails if I delete my Outlook profile?

No. Your emails are stored on the mail server (for IMAP accounts) or in a local PST file (for POP3 accounts). Deleting the profile only removes the account configuration, not the data. You can re-add the account and your emails will reappear after syncing. For POP3, you may need to import the old PST file to retain local copies.

How long does the Online Repair take?

The Online Repair for Microsoft Office can take 30 to 60 minutes depending on your internet speed and system performance. It downloads and reinstalls the entire Office suite, which is more thorough than the Quick Repair. During this time, you won’t be able to use Outlook, so plan accordingly.

What if none of these fixes work?

If you’ve tried all the above and still get error 0x800ccc13, the issue may be on your email provider’s side. Check their service status page or contact their support. You can also try creating a new Windows user account and setting up Outlook there—this isolates any system-level corruption. As a last resort, reinstalling Microsoft Office can resolve persistent issues.

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