Many users are experiencing this error with both Outlook and Exchange, and the general consensus is that Microsoft is to blame. This issue usually occurs with Outlook 2016 but can also happen with other versions. The message will lead you to believe that you need to update information in your profile, which is impossible to do since Outlook will not open. However, there are a few things you can do, such as modifying the registry or creating an .xml file that addresses the issues with autodiscover. Read on to see what you can do about this issue.
Method 1: Use the /resetnavpane command
The resetnavpane switch clears and regenerates the Navigation Pane for the current user profile. It also removes all favorite folders and shortcuts, doing the same thing as deleting profilename.xml. Note that there is a space between “Outlook.exe” and “/resetnavpane”. This should help fix the issue with Outlook, and you can continue using it again.
Method 2: Delete the keys within the Profiles of Outlook via the Registry Editor
Deleting a certain folder from the Registry Editor will cause Outlook to start repopulating the OST data. The OST data is used when you have an Exchange account, and you want to use the Cached Exchange Mode, or you simply want to work offline. Afterward, you can continue using Outlook as usual. You can even attach a PST, which is used for IMAP, POP3, and web-based mail accounts, if you want or need. HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook\Profiles\Outlook
Method 3: Tell Outlook not to respond to AutoDiscover, but to your domain instead
The issue in question occurs because the root domain server responds to the autodiscover request, and Outlook doesn’t even make it to AutoDiscover.[domain.com]. If you add the registry entry below, you are telling Outlook to ignore the root domain and go to the next option on the list.
Option 1: Via Registry Editor
Option 2: Via an .xml file
Method 4: Delete your profile and create a new one
This is the last resort, as it completely deletes your Outlook profile, and you will have to create a new one and reconfigure your connection. The steps are listed below, but if you would like a pictorial guide, then view: When you’re done, you will have created the account/profile again, this time configured the way Windows likes it, and you won’t have any issues with it. At the end of the day, this issue, along with several others, occurs because Microsoft constantly upgrades and evolves Windows, and not all new functionalities are compatible with their older counterparts. However, if you follow any of the methods above, you will have your Outlook account running again in no time.
