Outlook users may encounter a frustrating issue where shared mailboxes stop updating, displaying an “Updating this folder” message that never completes. This problem prevents new emails from appearing in Outlook, even though they’re visible in Outlook Online and on mobile devices. Let’s explore how to fix this sync problem and get your shared mailboxes working properly again.
Before trying more advanced solutions, start with these quick troubleshooting steps:
Step 1: Restart your computer and router to rule out temporary network issues.
Step 2: Open Outlook and check if the problem resolves itself after the restart.
If the issue persists, move on to the following methods:
Method 1: Remove Corruption from the Outlook Profile
This method involves editing the Windows Registry, which can be risky if done incorrectly. Be sure to back up your registry before proceeding.
Step 1: Close Outlook completely.
Step 2: Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog, type “regedit”, and press Enter.
Step 3: Navigate to the following registry path:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook\Profiles
Step 4: Locate your Outlook profile name in the left pane.
Step 5: Click Edit > Find and search for a key named “0102663e”.
Step 6: When found, ensure its parent key is just above a folder named “GroupStore”.
Step 7: Right-click the “0102663e” key and select Delete.
Step 8: Close the Registry Editor and restart Outlook.
Check if the shared mailbox updates correctly now. If not, proceed to the next method.
Method 2: Create a New Outlook Profile
Creating a new profile can resolve issues caused by corrupted settings.
Step 1: Close Outlook.
Step 2: Open the Control Panel and navigate to Mail > Show Profiles.
Step 3: Click “Add” to create a new profile.
Step 4: Enter a name for the new profile and click OK.
Step 5: Follow the prompts to set up your email account in the new profile.
Step 6: Once complete, select “Always use this profile” and choose your new profile from the dropdown.
Step 7: Click Apply, then OK.
Step 8: Open Outlook with the new profile and check if shared mailboxes sync correctly.
If the shared mailbox doesn’t appear automatically, you may need to add it manually:
Step 9: Go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings.
Step 10: Select your email account and click Change.
Step 11: Click More Settings > Advanced tab.
Step 12: Under “Open these additional mailboxes”, click Add and enter the shared mailbox name.
Additional Troubleshooting Tips
If the above methods don’t resolve the issue, try these additional steps:
- Check your internet connection and ensure Outlook can reach the Exchange server.
- Verify that your account has the correct permissions for the shared mailbox.
- Disable any third-party add-ins that might interfere with Outlook’s functionality.
- Run Outlook in safe mode to see if the problem persists without add-ins.
- Use the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant tool to diagnose and fix Outlook issues automatically.
Understanding why Outlook gets stuck updating can help prevent future issues. Common causes include:
- Network connectivity problems
- Corrupt Outlook profiles or data files
- Conflicts with security software or other applications
- Outdated or corrupt add-ins
- Incorrect email account settings
- Low mailbox storage or oversized local cache files
Regularly maintaining your Outlook installation, keeping it updated, and managing your mailbox size can help prevent sync issues with shared mailboxes.
With these methods, you should be able to resolve the “Updating this folder” issue and get your shared mailboxes functioning normally again. Remember to keep your Outlook and Office suite updated to benefit from the latest bug fixes and improvements.