0x80042108OfficeHigh
Error 0x80042108 — Outlook Receiving Timeout | Microsoft Office Fix
Microsoft 365Office 2021Office 2019Office 2016
What Does 0x80042108 Mean?
Outlook timed out waiting for the incoming mail server to respond. The server is not responding within the configured timeout period.
Real-World Causes
- 1Slow or unstable internet connection
- 2Mail server overloaded with requests
- 3Firewall or proxy blocking mail server ports
- 4DNS resolution problems for mail server hostname
Symptoms
- ⚠Cannot receive new emails
- ⚠Send/Receive button produces timeout error
- ⚠Outlook shows 'trying to connect' for extended period
- ⚠Email sync stalls repeatedly
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DIY Fix
Beginner-friendly steps you can try at home
- 1Check internet connection stability
- 2Increase server timeout in Outlook settings
- 3Verify incoming server address and port are correct
- 4Try connecting through a different network
Advanced Fix
For experienced users and IT professionals
- 1Flush DNS cache (ipconfig /flushdns)
- 2Check Windows hosts file for incorrect mail server entries
- 3Disable IPv6 if mail server has connectivity issues
- 4Test mail server connectivity using telnet or PowerShell Test-NetConnection
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I increase the server timeout?
In Outlook: File > Account Settings > select account > Change > More Settings > Advanced tab. Drag the Server Timeouts slider to the right to increase the wait time.
Why does this happen only at certain times?
The mail server may be overloaded during peak hours, or your internet connection may be congested. ISP throttling and network congestion during busy periods are common causes.
Related Error Codes
About the Author
Windows Troubleshooting Team
Verified against official Microsoft documentation and real-world diagnostic data. Error behavior confirmed across Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server.