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A Guide to Learn Meanings of Outlook for Mac Error Codes

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Published By Karen Chard 
Rollins Duke
Approved By Rollins Duke
Published On November 28th, 2025
Reading Time 9 Min Read

Considered one of the most advanced email clients of the era, MS Outlook for Mac is still not completely immune to glitches and errors that disrupt a streamlined email management experience. Each error code is created to reflect a specific complication, from server connection issues to attachment issues. That is why it is essential to deeply comprehend the error codes and how one can remedy them for a healthy Mac Outlook environment without a hitch. Read the blog till the end to know what causes them, along with a proven solution for instant recovery.

Microsoft Outlook often acts as a backbone to corporate and home users using Mac devices, as it provides a major connection between the macOS ecosystem and Exchange servers for a seamless user experience. However, the seamless user experience gets ruined by sudden error code notifications projecting failure.

Seeing codes such as error 17099 Outlook Mac, 27884, 19738, indicate a flagged communication between the users’ client and the server. Interpreting how to fix Outlook error code is a complex process if done manually, as the errors that pop up consist of the solution that needs to be decoded.

Understanding Different Types of Outlook for Mac Error Codes

The email client for Mac is generally distinguished in a few aspects, such as authentication issues, connectivity problems, and corrupted data. Here, we have analyzed some of the major error codes from specific categories for users to get a gist of all the areas.

Outlook Error Code 17884: Email not sent due to Poor Internet Connection

The error code 17884 or 17883, is an error code that indicates low synchronization and connectivity issues, causing syncing problems. This pop-up usually takes place when Outlook Mac tries to send an email, but is not successful in communicating with the Exchange Server. Due to this, the user gets a notification reading “The message could not be sent. The server returned error code 17884.”

Mac Out Error Code 17099: Incorrect SMTP Server Settings

Issues like this come and go as frequently reported errors. The error code 17099 is directly related to the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), meaning when users come across the error code 17099 Outlook for Mac, it usually signifies that the server is not accepting the client’s request to send messages due to DNS or authentication issues.

Users may also see the issue as the error code 17099 Outlook 2011 Mac or error code 17099 in Outlook 365. Nonetheless of the OS or Outlook version, the main reasons for the pop-up are the same majority of the time, which is that the server has failed to identify users’ addresses or the end location is not reachable.

Error Code 17997 Outlook Mac:  Exceeding the Given Size Limit or Unexpected Error due to Corrupted Database

The error code 17997 Outlook Mac also occurs when the password from the server side has been changed due to profile conflicts or corrupted database, or the user has transferred to a brand new network without Mac client updating its keychain.

Error Code 19738: Message or Attachments too Large

The uncommon error is associated with the disclaimer of users surpassing the regular size limit of the attachment permitted by Exchange Server or ISP, authentication mismatches, and other unexpected errors that affect the Mac client’s ability to unlink repeatedly.

Explore Major Reasons for Outlook for Mac Error Codes

  • Unstable Internet: This error code occurs is due to a major drop in the user’s internet connection while connected to the Exchange Server; issues such as Outlook for Mac error Code 17884 get immediately triggered.
  • Damaged OLM Files: OLM files that are affected due to malware, sudden failure of connection are flagged as corrupted or damaged, which leads to such errors to occur as the application fails to recognize those OLM files.
  • DNS Complications: Oftentimes, when the issue does not stem from the user’s operating system, the issue is found in their Exchange Server or ISP’s Domain Name System (DNS), abruptly failing to resolve to the address users’ mail server.
  • Authentication Errors: Times when users change the password of their email on the browser but fail to update it on Mac Outlook immediately, then the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol discards the outgoing mail, which further results in the error code 17099 Outlook for Mac due to mismatches.
  • Server Limitations: Due to numerous restrictions provided by the corporate or regular server for seamless migration, like attachment size limitations or filtering out spam messages. The users’ email normally triggers if the content does not fit under the strict policies of the server, in the server generating codes like Error Code 19738 as a disclaimer to compress the size of the attachment or clear out unwanted content that has been marked as spam.
  • Earlier Software Version: Operating Outlook Mac on an older version, such as 2011, on a new edition like Sonoma or Ventura often causes a major friction in terms of compatibility, leading to plenty of error codes.

How to Fix Outlook Mac Error Codes

  • Users can easily update their software systems through the option of “Automatic Update” regularly, as Microsoft releases numerous patches to make users aware of Outlook for Mac error.
  • Along with updating regularly, users must manage their Outlook mailbox from time to time to avoid the bloating of the storage space, which could further lead to sudden crashes, like dividing files into smaller parts to easily pass through.
  • While dealing with large and multiple emails, go for wired connections like an Ethernet connection, for stability during the process.
  • It is highly advised not to force quit or shut down the system while Outlook is in the syncing process to avoid risk of data damage.
  • Regularly clear out the cache files in Outlook with the help of the properties options to solve any hiccups that come in between the synchronization process before it converts into error codes.
  • Users must create or rebuild a new Outlook profile for emails and messages not to get bloated, leading to corrupted codes.

Automated Software Solution to Remove Outlook for Mac Error

Although taking assistance from multiple measures, similar to are listed above, is helpful for minor or slight configuration, they often come with numerous shortcoming that fails to resolve deep-rooted corruption and still face error code 17997 Outlook Mac and other similar errors, which only an automated solution can take care of.

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This is where the Advanced RecoveryTools OLM Migrator steps in. The robust software utility is specifically structured to cover the differences and acts as a reliable source that easily addresses numerous Outlook for Mac error codes by working as a converter, splitter, and a repair tool all-in-one without any hassle. With the tool’s batch processing feature, users can efficiently convert multiple files simultaneously within just a few clicks.

Steps to Restore OLM Files Easily

  1. Install and open the OLM migrator on your device.open tool for Outlook for mac error
  2. Choose either “Select Files” or “Select Folders”.select options
  3. Add the necessary OLM Files needed to convert.add files
  4. Choose the type of your folder among “All types,” “Calendar,” and “Contacts.select option
  5. Select a preferred file format for your resultant file.
  6. Also, choose the location path you want to save your converted file in.
  7. Finally, click on “Next” and start the migration process.
  8. After the process is complete, check your migrated files in the location you chose earlier.
Characteristics of Advanced Software Solutions
  • Conversion in Bulk: The ultimate tool provides the option to process thousands of large and oversized OLM files and convert them all at the same time, saving a gigantic amount of users’ time and energy without repeating the steps for each file separately.
  • Recover Damaged OLM Files: With “Extracted Mode”, users can easily repair their minorly damaged or corrupted files, in which issues like error 17099 Outlook Mac are often shown. The advanced algorithm of the OLM migrator deeply scans damaged files and extracts the required information that cannot be accessed manually.
  • Sustain Data Integrity: One of the biggest advantages of this tool is that it ensures to protect and preserve all information, like folder hierarchy, metadata, sender/receiver’s details, etc., and keep them in the original formatting that was before the conversion process.
  • Universal Compatibility: Whether the user is working to fix Microsoft Outlook 2011 for Mac Error Code 17997 or handling any other complication in the latest version of Outlook 365, the robust solution supports all OLM regardless of the version, since it supports all Mac Outlook versions, whether it is from 2011, 2016, 2019, 2021, or Office 365.
  • Multiple Saving Formats: Using the automated tool, users can not only migrate in one or two, but in more than 20+ file formats like convert OLM to HTML, PST, EML, MSG, PDF, MHT, DOC, MBOX, vCard, and the list goes on. Moreover, it also supports numerous email clients for migration, like Lotus Notes, Zimbra, Yahoo, import to Gmail etc.
  • Advanced Filters: If users want to selectively migrate their OLM files according to certain parameters such as date, subject, from, to, excluding items, etc. they can avail the feature, advanced filter option to customize their search before going for further processing.
Conclusion

Error codes like 19738, 17099 and 17883 are some of the common errors that obstruct users’ workflow and cause loss of confidential data. While comprehending such errors along with their built-in fixes, like reconstructing identities, making space in Outlook, or cross-checking SMTP ports, these remedies work temporarily and can reappear anytime.

However, for a permanent fix for any issue related to Outlook data, utilizing the experts’ suggested tool can facilitate a speedy recovery of users’ messages. Whether the user is in search of to fix Outlook Mac error code through available techniques or a professional utility for an instant solution, users must choose the right option for safeguarding the data.