Fixes / Outlook · Checked

Outlook "The operation failed. An object could not be found": fix

Short answer

This classic Outlook for Windows error means Outlook tried to use a folder, mail store, rule target or cached item that it can no longer find or open. Usually the offline cache (.ost) or the Outlook profile is damaged. The fix that works most often: close Outlook, rename the .ost file in %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Outlook, then reopen Outlook so it downloads a fresh copy of your mailbox.

What this message means

Outlook stores your mail in a data file. For Microsoft 365, Exchange and Outlook.com accounts this is an offline cache (.ost). For POP and some IMAP accounts it is a .pst. Each folder, rule and sent item points to an internal object ID inside that store. The message means Outlook asked for one of those objects and it was missing or unreadable. Common triggers are a damaged cache, a rule pointing at a deleted or moved folder, a profile still linked to a moved .pst, or an add-in getting in the way. Your mail on the server is usually safe. The problem is almost always in the local copy or the profile.

Common causes

CauseHow to tell
Corrupted offline cache file (.ost)The error appears when you send or during Send/Receive, often for no obvious reason. Receiving still works, and the same mailbox works fine in Outlook on the web (outlook.office.com or outlook.com).
A rule, Quick Step or setting points to a folder that no longer existsThe error appears only when you save or run a rule, or use a Quick Step, that moves mail to a folder. This is common on shared mailboxes after folders were renamed, moved or deleted, or after your permissions changed.
Add-in interference (Adobe Send & Track, antivirus email scanners, CRM add-ins)The error goes away when you start Outlook in Safe Mode (outlook.exe /safe). It often shows up when opening templates (.oft) or sending with attachments.
Damaged .pst data file, or a profile still pointing to a .pst that was moved or deletedThe account uses POP or an older IMAP setup, or you recently moved a .pst to a new folder or drive. Send/Receive or opening a particular folder triggers the error.
Corrupted Outlook profile or Office installationRebuilding the cache did not help, the error appears across several actions, and other odd behaviour shows up too (missing folders in the folder pane, settings that don't stick).
Problem in the Windows user profileA different Windows user signed in on the same PC can do the same thing without errors, and your account works on other PCs. A new Outlook profile and a full Office reinstall did not fix it.

How to fix it

1. Rebuild the offline cache (.ost)

Classic Outlook for Windows with Microsoft 365, Exchange or Outlook.com accounts. The .ost is only a cache, so renaming it does not delete mail stored on the server.

  1. Close Outlook completely. Also close Teams or Skype for Business if they are running.
  2. Press Windows key + R, type %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Outlook and press Enter.
  3. If you can't see file extensions, in File Explorer select View > Show > File name extensions (Windows 11) or tick View > File name extensions (Windows 10).
  4. Find the .ost file named after your email address and rename it, for example add .old to the end.
  5. Restart the PC, then open Outlook. It creates a new .ost and downloads your mailbox again. With a large mailbox this can take a while.
  6. Once everything works, you can delete the .old file.

2. Start in Safe Mode and turn off the add-in causing it

Classic Outlook for Windows

  1. Close Outlook, press Windows key + R, type outlook.exe /safe and press Enter.
  2. Repeat the action that gave the error. If it now works, an add-in is the cause.
  3. Restart Outlook normally, then go to File > Options > Add-ins.
  4. At the bottom, set Manage to COM Add-ins and select Go.
  5. Clear the check box for suspect add-ins. Start with "Adobe Send & Track for Microsoft Outlook - Acrobat" and any antivirus or email-scanning add-in. Select OK.
  6. Restart Outlook and test. Re-enable add-ins one at a time to find the one causing the error.

3. Recreate the rule, or create it in Outlook on the web

When the error appears while creating or running a rule, including on shared mailboxes

  1. In Outlook, go to File > Manage Rules & Alerts.
  2. Open each rule that moves or copies mail and check that the destination folder still exists. Any rule showing a missing or blank folder should be deleted and recreated.
  3. If saving still fails, sign in at outlook.office.com (work or school) or outlook.com (personal).
  4. Go to Settings (gear icon) > Mail > Rules and create the rule there. For a shared mailbox, first open it via your profile picture > Open another mailbox.
  5. If the error happens only on a shared mailbox, ask your IT admin to confirm you still have Full Access permission to it.

4. Repair the .pst file with the Inbox Repair Tool (SCANPST.EXE)

POP and IMAP accounts or archive .pst files in classic Outlook for Windows. Not needed for .ost files (rebuild those instead).

  1. Close Outlook and back up your .pst file (usually in Documents\Outlook Files).
  2. Open File Explorer and go to C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16 (64-bit Office) or C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16 (32-bit Office).
  3. Double-click SCANPST.EXE.
  4. Select Browse, choose your .pst file, then select Start.
  5. If errors are found, select Repair. Run the scan again until it reports no errors.
  6. Open Outlook. Recovered items may appear in a Recovered Personal Folders or Lost and Found folder.

5. Create a new Outlook profile

Classic Outlook for Windows

  1. Close Outlook. Press Windows key + R, type outlook.exe /profiles and press Enter. You can also hold Shift while opening Outlook.
  2. In the Choose Profile window, select Options, then New.
  3. Type a name for the profile (for example New) and select OK.
  4. Add your email account when prompted and finish the setup.
  5. Tick "Set as default profile" if shown, or open Control Panel > Mail > Show Profiles and choose Always use this profile.
  6. Test. If it works, you can delete the old profile from the same Show Profiles window.

6. Repair Office, then try a new Windows user profile

Windows 11: Start (right-click) > Installed apps. Windows 10: Start (right-click) > Apps and Features.

  1. Right-click the Start button and select Installed apps (Windows 11) or Apps and Features (Windows 10).
  2. Find Microsoft 365 or Microsoft Office, select the three dots (Windows 11) or the entry itself (Windows 10), then Modify.
  3. Choose Quick Repair first. If the error comes back, run Online Repair, which takes longer but replaces more files.
  4. Also check that Outlook isn't running in compatibility mode: right-click OUTLOOK.EXE in the Office16 folder, select Properties > Compatibility, and clear "Run this program in compatibility mode for".
  5. Restart the PC and test.
  6. If nothing else worked and another Windows user on the same PC doesn't get the error, create a new Windows user account and move your files to it. This is the fix confirmed in stubborn template-related cases.

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Still not fixed?

Sign in to Outlook on the web (outlook.office.com or outlook.com) and try the same action. If it fails there too, the problem is in the mailbox itself, not your PC. On a work or school account, contact your IT admin with the exact error text, your Outlook version (File > Office Account > About Outlook) and what you were doing when it appeared. They can check mailbox permissions, folder corruption and rules on the server. On a personal account, use the in-app Help > Contact Support in Outlook to reach Microsoft support.

Questions people ask

Will renaming or deleting the .ost file delete my emails?

No, not for Microsoft 365, Exchange or Outlook.com accounts. The .ost is a local copy of mail that lives on the server, and Outlook downloads it again. A .pst file is different: it can be the only copy of your mail, so never delete one. Back it up and repair it.

Why can I receive email but not send?

Sending needs Outlook to write to your Outbox and Sent Items folders. If the cache is damaged or those folders' internal references are broken, sending fails while receiving still works. Rebuilding the .ost usually fixes this.

Why do I get this error when creating a rule on a shared mailbox?

The rule's destination folder usually can't be found, or your access to the shared mailbox has changed. Recreate the rule in Outlook on the web and ask your admin to confirm your Full Access permission.

Is "The attempted operation failed. An object could not be found" the same error?

Yes. It is the same MAPI error with slightly different wording, often seen when opening templates (.oft) or items in Drafts. The same causes and fixes apply, especially disabling the Adobe Send & Track add-in.

Does this happen in new Outlook or Outlook for Mac?

The message comes from classic Outlook for Windows, which uses .ost and .pst files and COM add-ins. New Outlook for Windows and Outlook for Mac use different storage and show different errors.

Sources

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