Outlook Cannot Display the Folder? Get 10 Fixes Now

Outlook is a globally used work productivity tool that allows you to perform several tasks, including contacts, creating appointments, webmail, setting reminders, etc. Like other software or apps, Outlook is also efficient at getting trouble messages and encountering profile corruption.

One of the most common errors that Outlook users often face while working on the app is Outlook cannot display the folder, or an error message says, "Cannot display the folder.  Microsoft Outlook cannot access the specified folder location". This mainly happens when there's an issue with the Outlook data file or configuration, antivirus software, incorrectly installed Outlook, damaged PST files, etc. You can check your Internet connection first. If it does not work, see the possible fixes down here.

How to Fix Outlook Cannot Display the Folder

There are a few top-notch solutions to try at home to resolve Outlook cannot display the folder quickly.

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

Fix 1.  Repair Corrupted Outlook Files with Document Repair Tool

When Outlook files refuse to open correctly, it can be extremely frustrating and cause a complete halt to your work process. When handling Outlook files that are infected or compromised, EaseUS Fixo Document Repair proves to be a durable and trustworthy solution for recovering your data.

It can come in handy when your Outlook files don't open, show you oversights, or behave strangely. The main highlights of this document repair software are the following:

• Repair the corrupted files like Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and PDF.
• Repair files and documents in group and preview adjusted files.
• Resolve distorted files, unreadable files, and those that aren't opening.
• Handle common Outlook errors perfectly, including Outlook not receiving emails or not opening.

This is what you can do to repair corrupted Outlook documents:

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

You can download this repair tool with the download button we gave you or other official ways. After the installation, you can double-click the Fixo icon to launch it. Click "File Repair" > "Add Files" to select and repair damaged Word, Excel, PDF, and other documents.

✨Step 2. Repair corrupted documents now

After adding the documents, you can click "Repair" to fix a document specifically or select "Repair All" to repair the whole files in the list altogether.

✨Step 3. Preview and save repaired documents

Now, the files are ready to be saved. You can also click the eye icon to preview the documents. After clicking "Save All", select "View Repaired" in the pop-up window to locate these repaired files.

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

Fix 2.  Check Outlook Account Settings

MS Outlook possesses a committed protocol named "Anywhere." Due to this, Outlook users can get into their mailboxes from different locations. Although it's fantastic, a minimal change in the protocol might exhibit this Outlook cannot display the folder error.

If you're the admin, you may resolve the issue quickly by interfering with the Outlook protocol. This method is also available when Outlook cannot connect to the server.

These are the steps to check Outlook account settings:

Step 1.  Open MS Outlook, and hit the "File."

Step 2. Opt for "info" and select "Account Settings."

Step 3.  Hit the configured email to opt for it.

Step 4.  Navigate to "More Settings" and select the "Connections" tab to modify the account settings. You may hold back the "Anywhere" protocol and compose your Local Area Network connection.

Fix 3.  Check for Outlook Updates

If you update the latest version of Outlook on your PC, it may continue working anytime or crash and cause other problems like Outlook not opening. You can go through the steps below to check for Outlook updates:

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

Step 2.  Select the "Office Account" option.

Step 3. Hit "Update Now" in "Update Options."

Fix 4.  Turn off Faulty Add-ins

Issues with the third-party add-ins can impact the mailbox's synchronization and the applications' operation as they obstruct a smooth running function. Using Safe Mode while operating the application could help fix the problem.

Alternatively, consider following this procedure to turn off the Outlook add-ins, after which you can broaden the error-prone account directory. This way also works when Outlook is not showing attachments. Do as follows:

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

Step 2. Select "Add-ins" on the Outlook Options page.  Navigate to the right panel and select the Go option against "Manage"> "COM Add-ins."

Step 3. Uncheck the add-ins, and hit the "OK" button.

Step 4. Reboot the MS Outlook app, and try to enlarge the folder again.

Fix 5.  Delete the OST File

The best-in-class way to solve the inaccessibility of the Outlook PST repair tool is by deleting the OST file. These files are vulnerable and can be located on your PC, and they exhibit numerous unpleasant behaviors, including synchronization problems, corruption, and so on. However, follow the steps below to delete a damaged OST file:

Step 1.  Launch the "Run" prompt on your PC by hitting Windows + R.

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

Step 3. The action will show the OST data file's location. Now, you must search for the damaged file and right-click on it.

Step 4.  Opt for "Delete" from the detailed list of preferences to rule out the damaged file.

If no synchronization issue can be spotted, the Exchange server will rebuild the OST file after launching Outlook.

Fix 6.  Disable the Cached Mode

The information is easily accessible thanks to Cached Exchange Mode, which copies the mailbox's contents to the user's PC. However, connectivity problems could make it challenging to extend the corresponding folder when this option is enabled. Therefore, you need to disable this cached mode with the steps shown below:

Step 1.  Move to "File"> "Account Settings" on your MS Outlook interface.

Step 2. Double-clicking on the account on the "Account Settings" page beneath the Email section will launch the "Change Account" page.

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

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

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

Fix 7. Repair Outlook Profile

If the Outlook profile is damaged, this Outlook cannot display the folder error may be shown. Go through the steps below to repair the Outlook profile:

Step 1.  Open Outlook and hit the "File" option.

Step 2.  Select the "Info" option in the "File" option.

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

Step 4. Opt for the needed Outlook profile on the "Account Settings" page, and hit the "Repair" option.

Step 5. Go through the wizard to finish the process, and restart Outlook.

Fix 8.  Repair PST Files with the Inbox Repair Tool

The Inbox Repair Tool is a top-notch utility MS gives for mending corrupted PST files in MS Outlook. If you're facing issues with your PST file, you may utilize this tool to resolve the error. The steps are the following:

Step 1.  Shut down Outlook.

Step 2.  Launch the Inbox Repair Tool, where you can see the scanPST.exe's location on your Outlook version.

Step 3.  Hit "Browse" in the Inbox Repair Tool, and opt for the PST file you want to repair.

Step 4. Hit the "Start" button to kickstart the scanning.

Step 5.  If the Inbox Repair Tool notices errors, it will give rise to selecting if you want to mend the file or build a new one. Opt for the option that you like.

Step 6.  Hit "Repair" to kickstart the repair procedure.

Step 7.  Once it's done, the Inbox Repair Tool will demonstrate a report. 

Fix 9. Change Folder Visible

Another best way to resolve this Outlook cannot display the folder error is by changing folder visible permission for a combined Outlook account. The steps to change the folder visible are the following:

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

Step 2.  Select "Properties."

Step 3.  In case you can't notice "Public Folders," hit "CTRL + 6" on your keyboard.

Step 4.  Opt for your permission level beneath "Permissions."

Step 6.  You can customize the rights by pressing buttons and marked or unmarked boxes. Verify that this access has been granted by checking the box next to "Folder Visible."

Step 7. Hit the "Edit" option in case the permission isn't granted > Sanction this permission > Save the settings by hitting the "OK" button.

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

If the Outlook app is corrupted, you need to repair this app with Windows built-in utility. The steps are shown below:

Step 1.  Shut down every Office app.

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

Step 3.  Opt for "Category View."

Step 4.  Opt for "Uninstall a program" in the "Programs" section.

Step 5.  Select "Change" after right-clicking on MS 365.

Step 6.  Opt for "Online repair" or "Repair." Hit the "Yes" button if a user account control prompt pops up.

Step 7.  Reboot Outlook once the process is over.

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Causes of Outlook Cannot Display the Folder

Some of the potential reasons for the error are the following:

• ❌Damaged Outlook data file: This mainly happens when the file gets larger and surpasses the recommended size limit, which causes Outlook not to display the folder error.
• 💾Third-party add-ins cause inconvenience: You should stop using third-party apps, which may interfere with Outlook while linked to the Exchange server.
• 🗂️Minimized folder pane: As the folder pane demonstrates, you won't see the folders for every Outlook folder if it's minimized.
• ❎Corrupted OST files: This error happens if the OST files are corrupted, or your PC performs Outlook in compatibility mode.

FAQs on Outlook Cannot Display the Folder

Go through the FAQs below to understand the topic better:

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

There could be OST file corruption, or there could be imprecise account settings or disconnected Outlook accounts that impede the demonstration of the folder message in Outlook.

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

This error might happen for several reasons, including server problems, damaged OST files, or incorrect settings.

3. What Outlook issue cannot display the folder out of memory or system resources?

Low hardware resources, including RAM, storage media, etc., or excessive resource consumption by other apps are the leading causes of the issue.

Final Words

Running into Outlook cannot display the folder problem might be highly bothersome.  It not only makes you more laborious, but it also keeps you from obtaining emails and data that are crucial for business.  If you run into this error accidentally and want to get rid of corrupted documents, it's recommended to use EaseUS Fixo Document Repair.