What to Do If Outlook is Unable to Connect to The Proxy Server?

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Working with Outlook is not always easy as you might predict it would be. At times, users experience issues while working, which ultimately lead to occurrence of errors.


In this blog, we will discuss about the issue when Outlook is unable to connect to the proxy server.

Error Messages Generated

At times, when Outlook is connected to a server via RPC (Remote Procedure Call) connection or a HTTP connection, following error messages may be generated:

  • There is a problem with the proxy server’s security certificate. Outlook is unable to connect to this server.
  • There is a problem with the proxy server’s security certificate. The name on the security certificate is invalid or does not match the name of the site. Outlook is unable to connect to this server.

    step1

  • There is a problem with the proxy server’s security certificate. The security certificate is not from a trusted certifying authority. Outlook is unable to connect to the proxy server.

    step2

Reason behind why Outlook cannot connect to proxy server

There are many reasons associated with the occurrence of the Outlook proxy server error. The errors can occur in case any of the following conditions are there:

Certification Authority (CA) is required for getting connected to the server.
The certification authority has not been trusted at the root.
There are chances that the certificate has been revoked or stands invalid.
The certificate is not matching with the name of the site to which the connection is being made.
A third-party browser or add-in is preventing the access to the particular website.

Resolution to Overcome the Outlook Proxy Server Error

1. Examining the Certificate

In case, you experience either Error 1 or 2, it is advised to examine the certificate thoroughly. Two things need to be checked in the certificate. Firstly, the certificate should not be expired and secondly, the information mentioned in Subject field should match with the site name.

Follow the below-mentioned steps to examine the certificate:

  • In the Address Bar of Internet explorer, type https://www.[server_name].com/rpc and press Enter and connect to the RPC server
  • In the lower-right corner of the browser, double click and select the padlock icon.
  • Select the Details tab.
  • In the dialog box, check for the Certificate validation date and the Subject.
  • In case the certificate has expired, contact your administrator. In case the subject filed is not matching, make the required changes.

2. Installation Of Trusted Root Certificate

Follow the below-mentioned method in case you receive Error 3:

  • In the Certificate dialog box, click on Install Certificate option
  • Click Next.
  • Check the Place all certificate in the following store option.
  • Select Browse.
  • Select the Trusted Root Certification Authorities option and click on Ok.
  • Click Next and then Finish to end the process.

3. Disable Third-Party Browser & Add-in

The errors can also be removed, by disabling the third party browsers and add-in.

  • Click on Start and the select the Run option.
  • In the box, type outlook.exe/safe and then select Ok. This will start Outlook in safe mode.
  • In case, Outlook starts in Safe mode, then surely the issue is caused by third-party add-ins and the only solution is to disable them.

For disabling the third-party add-in, follow the below-mentioned steps:

  • Open Outlook and select the File option.
  • Click the Options and select Add-Ins option from left-side menu.
  • In the Add-Ins section, select and remove the add-in that you desire to disable.
  • Exit and then restart Outlook.

Upshot

We believe, that with the help of the above-mentioned methods, the users can easily troubleshoot the error and the user can once again connect Outlook through proxy server.