Outlook Cannot Display the Folder? Get 10 Fixes Now

Outlook is a widely used productivity tool across the globe that enables users to carry out various tasks such as managing contacts, scheduling appointments, accessing webmail, setting reminders, and more. Similar to other software applications or apps, Outlook is also susceptible to encountering error messages and experiencing profile corruption issues.

One of the most frequent issues that Outlook users encounter while using the application is "Outlook cannot display the folder" or an error message stating, "Cannot display the folder. Microsoft Outlook cannot access the specified folder location." This typically occurs due to problems with the Outlook data file, configuration issues, antivirus software interference, improperly installed Outlook, or damaged PST files. First, verify your Internet connection. If that doesn't resolve the issue, explore the potential solutions below.

How to Fix the 'Outlook Cannot Display the Folder' Issue

There are several top-notch solutions to try at home to fix the issue of Outlook not being able to display the folder quickly.

1. Solution 1.  Repair Corrupted Outlook Files with Document Repair Tool
2. Solution 2.  Check Outlook Account Settings
3. Solution 3.  Check for Outlook Updates
4. Solution 4.  Disable Faulty Add-ins
5. Solution 5.  Delete the OST File
6. Solution 6.  Disable Cached Mode
7. Solution 7. Repair Outlook Profile
8. Solution 8.  Repair PST Files with the Inbox Repair Tool
9. Solution 9. Change Folder Visibility
10. Solution 10.  Repair Outlook Application with Built-in Windows Utility

Fix 1. Repair Corrupted Outlook Files with Document Repair Tool

When Outlook files fail to open properly, it can be immensely frustrating and bring your work process to a complete standstill. When dealing with infected or corrupted Outlook files, the reliable and efficient solution for data recovery is the Fixo Document Repair tool.

It can be useful when your Outlook files don't open, display errors, or exhibit unusual behavior. The key features of this document repair software include:

• Repair corrupted files such as Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and PDF.
• Repair files and documents in batches and preview the modified files.
• Fix distorted files, unreadable files, and those that won't open.
• Efficiently address common Outlook issues, including Outlook not receiving emails or not launching.

Here's what you can do to fix corrupted Outlook files:

✨Step 1. Download, install, and launch the Fixo Document Repair tool.

You can download this repair tool using the download button we provided or through other official channels. Once installed, double-click on the Fixo icon to initiate it. Click "File Repair" then "Add Files" to select and fix damaged Word, Excel, PDF, and other documents.

✨Step 2. Repair corrupted documents immediately

Once the documents are added, you can click "Repair" to fix a particular document or choose "Repair All" to repair all the files in the list at once.

✨Step 3. Preview and save the repaired documents

Now, the files are prepared to be saved. You can also click the eye icon to preview the documents. Upon clicking "Save All," select "View Repaired" in the prompt window to locate these restored files.

Download this professional document repair tool today! Also, don't forget to share this information with your friends on social media.

Fix 2. Check Outlook Account Settings

MS Outlook has a dedicated protocol called "Outlook Anywhere." This allows Outlook users to access their mailboxes from various locations. While this is excellent, even a slight modification to the protocol can result in the "Outlook cannot display the folder" error.

If you're the administrator, you can swiftly resolve the issue by intervening with the Outlook protocol. This approach is also applicable when Outlook is unable to connect to the server.

Here are the steps to check Outlook account settings: 1. Open Microsoft Outlook on your computer. 2. Click on the "File" tab in the top-left corner of the window. 3. From the File menu, select "Account Settings" or "Manage Accounts," depending on your version of Outlook. 4. A new window will pop up. Choose "Email Accounts" and click "Next." 5. Your Outlook email accounts will be displayed. Select the account for which you want to check the settings. 6. Click "Change" or "Properties" to review the account details. 7. Verify the following settings: - Email Address - Account Type (IMAP, POP, or Exchange) - Server Names (Incoming and Outgoing) - Port Numbers - Authentication Method (e.g., Password, NTLM, or OAuth2) - Encryption Options (SSL/TLS or STARTTLS) 8. If necessary, update any incorrect settings and save the changes. 9. Close the windows and restart Outlook to apply the new settings. Remember, if you're unsure about any settings, consult your email provider's documentation or support team for assistance.

Step 1. Open MS Outlook and click on "File."

Open MS Outlook and click on the File option.

Step 2. Choose "info" and then select "Account Settings."

Step 3. Click on the configured email to select it.

Step 4. Go to "More Settings" and choose the "Connections" tab to edit the account settings. You can disable the "Anywhere" protocol and configure your Local Area Network connection.

Fix 3. Check for Outlook Updates

If you've updated to the latest version of Outlook on your PC, it might run smoothly or suddenly crash, leading to issues like Outlook not opening. To check for Outlook updates, follow these steps:

Step 1. Launch the Outlook app, and click the "File" menu.

Step 2. Choose the "Office Account" option.

Step 3. Click "Update Now" in the "Update Options."

Fix 4. Disable Faulty Add-ins

Issues with third-party add-ins can affect mailbox synchronization and the application's operation, as they hinder smooth functioning. Running the application in Safe Mode might help resolve the issue.

Alternatively, you can follow this procedure to disable Outlook add-ins, after which you can expand the problematic account directory. This method also applies when Outlook is not displaying attachments. Here's what you need to do:

Step 1. Click on "File" > "Info" > "Options" in the MS Outlook application interface.

Click on the options

Step 2. On the Outlook Options page, choose "Add-ins." Proceed to the right panel and click the "Go" button under "Manage" > "COM Add-ins."

Click the "Go" button next to "COM Add-ins."

Step 3. Deselect the add-ins and click "OK."

Step 4. Restart the MS Outlook app and attempt to increase the folder size again.

Fix 5. Delete the OST File

The optimal solution to address the inaccessibility of the Outlook PST repair tool is by deleting the OST (Offline Storage Table) file. These files are susceptible to issues and can be found on your computer, often displaying various undesirable behaviors such as synchronization difficulties, corruption, and more. To eliminate a corrupted OST file, follow these steps:

Step 1. Press Windows + R on your keyboard to launch the "Run" prompt on your PC.

Step 2. Paste the "%LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Outlook" command in the Run dialog box, and click the "OK" button.

Step 3. The action will display the location of the OST data file. Next, you need to search for the corrupted file and right-click on it.

Step 4. Choose "Delete" from the detailed list of preferences to eliminate the corrupted file.

If no synchronization issues are found, the Exchange server will rebuild the OST file when you launch Outlook.

Fix 6. Disable the Cached Mode

The information can be easily accessed through Cached Exchange Mode, which duplicates the mailbox content onto the user's computer. However, connectivity issues might make it difficult to expand the corresponding folder when this feature is activated. To overcome this, you should follow the steps below to disable the cached mode:

Step 1. Navigate to "File" > "Account Settings" in your MS Outlook interface.

Step 2. Double-click on the account under the "Email" section on the "Account Settings" page to open the "Change Account" page.

Step 3. You need to uncheck the "Use Cached Exchange Mode" option under the "Offline Settings" section.

Step 4. Select "Next" to review the on-screen instructions and save the settings.

Step 5. Relaunch the MS Outlook app and continue to expand the folder.

Fix 7. Repair Outlook Profile

If the Outlook profile is damaged, you may encounter the error message "Outlook cannot display the folder." To resolve this issue, follow the steps below to repair the Outlook profile:

Step 1. Open Outlook and click on the "File" option.

Step 2. Choose the "Info" option under the "File" option.

Step 3. Select "Account Information" > "Account settings."

Step 4. Select the required Outlook profile on the "Account Settings" page and click the "Repair" option.

Click the "Repair" option.

Step 5. Complete the wizard and restart Outlook.

Fix 8. Repair PST Files with the Inbox Repair Tool

The Inbox Repair Tool is an excellent utility provided by Microsoft for repairing corrupted PST files in MS Outlook. If you encounter issues with your PST file, you can use this tool to fix the error. The steps are as follows:

Step 1. Close Outlook.

Step 2. Launch the Inbox Repair Tool, which will show you the location of scanPST.exe for your version of Outlook.

Step 3. Click "Browse" in the Inbox Repair Tool and select the PST file you want to repair.

Click the "Browse" button and select the PSY file you want to repair.

Step 4. Click the "Start" button to begin the scan.

Step 5. If the Inbox Repair Tool detects errors, it will prompt you to choose whether to repair the file or create a new one. Select the preferred option.

Step 6. Tap "Repair" to initiate the repair process.

Step 7. Once it's finished, the Inbox Repair Tool will display a report.

Fix 9. Change Folder Visibility

Another effective way to resolve the "Outlook cannot display the folder" error is by modifying the folder visibility permissions for a combined Outlook account. The steps to change folder visibility are as follows:

Step 1. Navigate to the "Folder" panel and right-click on the public folder.

Step 2. Select "Properties."

Step 3. If you can't see "Public Folders," press "CTRL + 6" on your keyboard.

Step 4. Choose your permission level under "Permissions."

Step 6. You can customize the permissions by clicking on buttons and selecting or unselecting checkboxes. Confirm that this access has been granted by checking the box next to "Folder Visible."

Please note that this is an image description for a screenshot, which shows checkboxes to be selected. The actual translation would be: "Check the boxes as shown."

Step 7. If the permission is not granted, tap "Edit" > Allow the permission > Tap "OK" to save the settings.

Fix 10. Repair Outlook Application using Windows Built-in Utility

If the Outlook app is corrupted, you need to repair it using the built-in utility in Windows. The steps are as follows:

Step 1. Close all Office apps.

Step 2. Navigate to "Start" > "Control Panel."

Step 3. Choose "Category View."

Step 4. In the "Programs" section, choose "Uninstall a program."

Step 5. Right-click on MS 365 and select "Change."

Step 6. Choose "Online repair" or "Repair." Click "Yes" if a User Account Control prompt appears.

Step 7. Restart Outlook once the process is complete.

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Causes of 'Outlook Cannot Display the Folder'

一些可能的错误原因包括：

• ❌Damaged Outlook data file: This typically occurs when the file size grows beyond the recommended limit, resulting in Outlook failing to display the folder error.
• ?Third-party add-ins causing issues: Discontinue using third-party applications, as they might interfere with Outlook when connected to the Exchange server.
• ?️Minimized folder pane: If the folder pane is minimized, you won't be able to see the folders for all Outlook folders.
• ❎Corrupted OST files: This error can arise due to corrupted OST files or running Outlook in compatibility mode on your PC.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on 'Outlook Cannot Display the Folder'

Browse through the FAQs below to gain a better understanding of the subject:

1. Why can't I view the folder message in Outlook?

There could be corruption in the OST file, or there might be inaccurate account settings or disconnected Outlook accounts that prevent the display of the folder messages in Outlook.

2. Why does Outlook keep saying it cannot expand the folder?

This error can occur due to several reasons, such as server issues, corrupted OST files, or incorrect configuration settings.

3. Which Outlook issue pertains to 'Out of memory or system resources' when attempting to display a folder?

Insufficient hardware resources, such as RAM and storage media, or excessive resource consumption by other applications are the primary causes of this issue.

Final Words

Encountering the "Outlook cannot display the folder" issue can be highly frustrating. It not only adds extra effort but also prevents you from accessing crucial emails and data for your business. If you accidentally run into this error and wish to fix corrupted files, it is advisable to use tools like Fixo Document Repair.