Fix the Outlook OAB error in 6 steps. Check the GAL, download the OAB, check BITS and update Outlook. Then create a new profile or validate Autodiscover. Microsoft lists error 0x8004010F for this problem. Steps apply to classic Outlook for Windows only. Microsoft lists no step that deletes OAB files.
Outlook cannot download the offline address book. Send/Receive fails in Cached Exchange Mode and mail to people in the address book can return nondelivery reports.
Facts follow the Microsoft Support article How to troubleshoot the Outlook Offline Address Book in a Microsoft 365 environment. Microsoft aims it at Microsoft 365 administrators.
What does the OAB Download Failed Error Look Like?
- Users cannot download the offline address book (OAB).
- OAB synchronization errors appear.
- Mail to people through the OAB returns nondelivery reports.
- Send/Receive fails with error code 0x8004010F.
Microsoft shows error 0x8004010F with the message that the operation failed because an object could not be found. Outlook gets the OAB from the URL that Autodiscover returns and downloads it with the Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS).
How to Fix the OAB Download Failed Error in 6 Steps?
- Verify the GAL. Confirm that the changes show in the Global Address List when you use Outlook on the web. When the GAL is wrong, check directory synchronization.
- Download the OAB. Select Send/Receive, Send/Receive Groups, Download Address Book and OK. Then open File, Account Settings and Account Settings. Select your Exchange account and select Change. Confirm that Use Cached Exchange Mode is ticked under Offline Settings.
- Check BITS. Press the Windows logo key and R. Type services.msc and press Enter. Find Background Intelligent Transfer Service and confirm the status. When the service is stopped, open its properties, set Startup type to Automatic (Delayed Start), select Apply and select Start.
- Update Outlook. Select File, Office Account, Update Options and Update Now.
- Create a new profile. Create a profile in classic Outlook for Windows. Microsoft links a separate article for the steps.
- Validate Autodiscover. Use this step only when steps 1 to 5 fail and before you contact Microsoft Support. Press Ctrl and right click the Outlook icon in the notification area. Select Test E-mail AutoConfiguration. Clear Use Guessmart and Secure Guessmart Authentication and select Use AutoDiscover. Enter your email address and password and select Test.
On the Results tab note the OAB URL. On the XML tab copy the path between the OABUrl tags and paste it into a browser with /OAB.xml added to the end. Access works when the browser shows a large amount of XML data.
What does Microsoft Not Say?
- Steps that delete OAB files.
- Any fix for error code 0x80190194.
- Steps for new Outlook, which has no Cached Exchange Mode.
- Outlook version numbers beyond classic and new Outlook.
Related reading: how to set up an Office 365 account in Outlook 2013 and how to fix missing email addresses in Outlook.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Error 0x8004010F Mean in Outlook?
Microsoft shows it as a Send/Receive failure in Cached Exchange Mode. Its message says the operation failed because an object could not be found.
Can You Download the OAB Manually?
Yes. Select Send/Receive, then Send/Receive Groups and then Download Address Book.
Should You Check Cached Exchange Mode for an OAB Error?
Yes. Microsoft lists it as a setting to confirm under Offline Settings. New Outlook has no Cached Exchange Mode.
What does BITS do for the OAB?
Outlook downloads the OAB with BITS. Microsoft says to confirm that the Background Intelligent Transfer Service is started.
Does Microsoft Describe Deleting OAB Files?
No. None of the six listed steps deletes OAB files.
Key Takeaways
- Microsoft lists six steps for this download error.
- Error 0x8004010F appears during Send/Receive in Cached Exchange Mode.
- Confirm BITS is started and set it to Automatic (Delayed Start).
- Try a new profile and an Autodiscover test after the first four steps.
- Steps suit classic Outlook only.
Sources and References
Facts follow Microsoft Support.