Free Troubleshooting Guide for Outlook Error 500: Fix ‘Something Went Wrong’ Fast!

Updated On - October 7, 2024 by Armaan | Reading Time: 4 minutes

Outlook stands as the top email platform for both business and personal communication. But then, even the best of tools can develop issues, at times. One common issue happens to be Outlook Error 500, which strikes users trying to access their accounts with a tendency to show the message, “Something went wrong.” The number of users facing this error is huge due to several reasons. In this guide, we shall discuss Outlook Error 500 – its causes, recommendations, and prevention – so that by the time you finish reading this article, these issues will no longer bother your smooth flow of e-communication. Additionally, it is recommended to create a local backup of your OST files using the Regain OST to PST Converter.

A Brief About Outlook Error 500?

The Outlook Error 500 is ordinarily known as an “Internal Server Error” and takes place when a server is not able to meet a request. It is a type of general error message that indicates something has gone wrong but does not give specific details on what caused the issue. It may appear in various forms, but some of the most common include:

• 500 Internal Server Error
• HTTP 500 Internal Server Error
• Error 500: something has gone wrong

The mistake is usually server-related but can result from misconfiguration on the client side such as browser settings, or corrupted files and network issues.

What are the Causes of Outlook Error 500

You’ll find that various triggers cause Outlook Error 500. Knowing where the problem originates will help you focus on the appropriate remedy. Some of the most common reasons include:

• Server Problems: Server errors are the cause of the majority of instances of Error 500. This is more common with server maintenance and even congestion of traffic.
• Corrupt Browser Cache and Cookies: Attempts to use Outlook to gain access to a browser with a corrupt or too full cache would lead to an Error 500.
• Outdated or Incompatible Browser: Sometimes the browser being used may be too old and therefore normally creates compatibility issues with outlook.
• Incorrect DNS Settings: It is crucial to configure the DNS settings accurately to prevent the failure in loading the Outlook server resulting in this error.
• Firewall or Antivirus Blockage: In some cases, the firewall or antivirus program installed may be too excessive such that it blocks some functions of Outlook causing Error 500.
• Outdated or corrupt Outlook Add-ins: Outlook errors such as Error 500 may arise as a result of the use of outdated/additional applications that may interfere with Outlook functionality.

How to Fix Outlook Error 500: Step-by-Step Solutions

Here are some of the most effective methods to resolve Outlook Error 500:

Fix 1: Check the Outlook Service Status

Before getting into some advanced troubleshooting, check if the Outlook Service is okay by visiting the official Microsoft status page. If it’s noted that the servers are under maintenance or down due to some technical glitches, then you have to wait until when the service is restored. If there are no issues mentioned on the server status, then we continue with the next steps.

Fix 2: Clear Browser Cache and Cookies

The Outlook Error 500 may be due to a corrupt or overloaded browser cache. Clearing the cache and cookies of your browser might resolve the issue. Here is how you can do it on some common browsers:

Remove Cookies in Google Chrome

1. Click on the three-dot menu at the top right corner.
2. Navigate to More Tools and choose Clear Browsing Data.
3. Select time range (for complete clearance, select All time).
4. Check Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files.
5. Click on the Clear Data option.

Delete Cache & Cookies in Mozilla Firefox

1. Click the three horizontal lines at the top right for the menu button.
2. Select Options, then Privacy & Security.
3. Cookies and Site Data Scroll down to find Clear Data.
4. Select Cached Web Content and Cookies.
5. Click Clear.

Eliminate Cookies & Cache in Microsoft Edge

1. Click the three-dot menu at the top right.
2. Go to Settings > Privacy, search, and services.
3. Under Clear browsing data, click Choose what to clear.
4. Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files.
5. Click Clear now.

Fix 3: Disable Problematic Add-ins

In some instances, the outlook add-ins can lead to some problems of incompatibility with the system which could then lead to Error 500. You may need to eradicate any dubious articles or redundant and see whether they solve the problem or not. Steps to disable add-ins in Outlook:

1. Open Outlook.
2. Click File then select Options.
3. In the left pane, click Add-ins.
4. At the bottom of the window, select COM Add-ins and click on the Go button.
5. Select and uncheck the boxes of the add-ins you want to disable and click OK.
6. Close and restart Outlook and check if the error is gone.

Create a Backup of Your Outlook Data

Clearing the browser cache, changing DNS settings, and disabling the firewall are all examples of solutions that should enable you to log into Outlook again. Keep in mind, however, that if the problem continues to exist, it is recommended to back up your Outlook data such as emails and other information via tools like Regain OST to PST Converter. This will enable you to keep intact your emails and other important information if there is still a struggle with Outlook.

The following are the guidelines for the backup of the OST files.

1. Install and run the OST to PST Converter on your system.
2. Click on the Open button to add the OST files to the software.
3. Select the Files/Folder from the tree structure format.
4. Click on the Export button and choose the desired saving format.
5. Finally, click on the Convert Now button to initiate the conversion.

Preventing Outlook Error 500

To reduce the chances of facing Outlook Error 500, you can take these steps.

• The other thing includes the regular clearing of the browser cache: The browser cache may be the source of many browser errors such as Outlook Error 500.
• Ensure that software is updated frequently: It is important also to make sure that at all times the browser and the outlook in use are up to date.
• Stick to Reliable DNS settings: When looking for example at the use of Outlook, you should stick to DNS providers like Google or Cloud Flare for easy usage of such services.
• Add-in usage: Every now and then, risk factors are posed by certain add-ins therefore it is best to check the outlook add-in usage.
• Verify Status Of the Server: Whenever you experience problems you should always check the service status page of Microsoft. If the problem lies on the server side, then there’s nothing that can be done other than waiting.

Conclusion

All in all, Outlook Error 500 cannot be avoided since it meddles with your work, but it is manageable with certain steps. The error can be removed most effectively by clearing the cache, updating the DNS settings, removing the conflicting add-ons, or checking whether there is a server fault. If the problem continues to persist, it is important to protect the data stored in Outlook by making a safe backup using good software. Having these will make your email correspondence comprehensive, and prevent any errors from occurring in the future.