How to Solve The Synchronization Issue Between OST File And Exchange Server Mailbox

Many times the Outlook users face the synchronization issues between the OST file and the Exchange Server Mailbox. This issue takes place when the OST file is unable to synchronize with the Exchange Server when connection is retrieved.

The incongruous synchronization might occur due to the availability of an unreliable internet connection between the client and the server machines. To resolve the synchronization issues between the OST file and the Exchange Server Mailbox, multiple solutions are available as listed below.

Methods to Solve Synchronization Error

Solution 1. Performing Settings In The Server Synchronization:

The synchronization that once failed can be maintained between Outlook and the Exchange account using two methods:

1. Manual Synchronization

2. Automatic Synchronization

Manual Synchronization

For performing manual synchronization of the folders, users need to follow the below mentioned instructions:

1. From the Folder List pane, choose the folder that needs to be synchronized.

2. From the tools menu, click on the Send/Receive button and then click on the desired folder to synchronize the assimilated offline folders.

3. Alternatively to synchronize the entire offline folders, click on Send/Receive

Automatic Synchronization

Automatic Synchronization is enabled to synchronize from the OST file each time the connection is retrieved between the Exchange Server and Outlook. To do so following stated steps needs to be executed:

1. Navigate to the Tools menu and choose Options

2. Select the Mail Setup tab.

3. From the Send/Receive portion, click on the checkbox associated to the Send immediately when connected

4. Click on Send/Receive

5. In the next dialog box, select the Perform an automatic send/receive when exiting option.

6. Then click on Close and then OK

Solution 2. Initiate Sync Operation using a New OST file:

For this, rename the existing OST file and start syncing both the accounts. Following steps need to be implemented:

• Exit all the running applications.
• Click on Start menu and then click Search and select for Files and Folders
• Type *.ost in the tab named as All or part of the file name
• In the Look section, click on the hard disk option.
• In the More Advanced Options enable Include Subfolders and then search.
• In the Name column, OST file will be shown. The default location for storing the OST files is:

‘C:\Documents and Settings\user name\Local Settings\ApplicationData\Microsoft\Outlook’

• Right click on the required OST file and select the Rename option.

The above methods require technical expertise as it involves the risk of file corruption and data loss.

Solution 3: Fixing the Outlook Error With A Third-Party Utility:

If the synchronization error occurs the major risk that can take place is the data loss due to the corruption of the OST file. The above mentioned methods are too complex and not easy to implement, so as an alternative users can use a third party tool i.e., Convert OST to PST Tool. It can easily solve the synchronization error between the OST file and the Exchange Server Mailbox. It can extract data from mail, contacts, journals and other folders of the mailbox and restore them back in form of PST files.