Microsoft Knowledge Base Email Alertz

(937349) - Describes an issue in which you receive an Error 3212. Unable to connect error message when you try to synchronize a Windows Live Hotmail account in Outlook. Provides steps to work around this issue.

Search KbAlertz

Advanced Search

Receive Microsoft Knowledge Base articles by E-Mail?

Every night we scan the Microsoft Knowledge Base. If technologies you're interested in are updated, we'll send you an e-mail. You only get one e-mail a day, and only when new articles are added.

Click here to create a
FREE account
Already have an account?
[Click here to Login]











Microsoft Knowledge Base Article

This article contents is Microsoft Copyrighted material.
©2005-©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use | Trademarks

Article ID: 937349 - Last Review: April 5, 2012 - Revision: 5.0

Error message when you try to synchronize a Windows Live Hotmail account in Outlook 2007 or in Outlook 2003: "Error 3212. Unable to connect" or "Error 4101. Unable to connect"

SYMPTOMS

You have Microsoft Office Outlook Connector installed in Microsoft Office Outlook 2007 or in Microsoft Office Outlook 2003. When you try to synchronize a Windows Live Hotmail account in Outlook, the account is not synchronized. Additionally, you receive an error message that resembles one of the following error messages:
Error 3212. Unable to connect.
To resume service, follow the instructions here URL_path.
Error 4104. Unable to connect.
To resume service, follow the instructions here URL_path.

CAUSE

This issue may occur if one of the following conditions is true:
  • There is a high traffic situation on the Windows Live Hotmail server.
  • There is a service disruption on the Windows Live Hotmail server.
  • The Windows Live Hotmail account has been migrated to another server.

WORKAROUND

To work around this issue, follow these steps:
  1. In Outlook, back up your mail, contacts, calendar, and tasks. To do this, follow these steps:
    1. Start Outlook.
    2. In the folder list, click the folder for the Windows Live Hotmail account. The folder name for the Windows Live Hotmail account resembles the following folder name:
      accountname@msn.com
    3. On the File menu, click Import and Export.
    4. Click Export to a file, and then click Next.
    5. Click Personal Folder File (.pst), and then click Next.
    6. In the Select the folder to export from box, click the folder for the Windows Live Hotmail account if it is not already selected.
    7. Click to select the Include subfolders check box, and then click Next.
    8. Click Browse to select the location to back up the Windows Live Hotmail account folder, and then click OK.
    9. Click Finish.
  2. Remove the Outlook Connector folder for the Windows Live Hotmail account. To do this, follow these steps:
    1. On the Tools menu, click Account Settings.
    2. Click the E-mail tab.
    3. Click the folder name such as accountname@msn.com, and then click Remove.
    4. Click Yes to confirm the removal, and then exit Outlook.
  3. Add the Windows Live Hotmail account. To do this, follow these steps:
    1. Start Outlook.
    2. On the Outlook Connector menu, click Add a New Account.
    3. Type the appropriate information for the Windows Live Hotmail account, and then click OK.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about Outlook Connector, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
http://office.microsoft.com/outlook/redir/HA010222518.aspx (http://office.microsoft.com/outlook/redir/HA010222518.aspx)

APPLIES TO
  • Microsoft Office Outlook 2007
  • Microsoft Office Outlook 2003
  • Microsoft Office Outlook Connector
Keywords: 
kbemail kberrmsg kbexpertisebeginner kbtshoot kbpubtypekc kbprb KB937349
       

Community Feedback System

Very often, it takes hours to solve a problem. Very often, you've looked high and low, and have tried a lot of solutions. When you finally found it, chances are, it was because someone else helped you. Here's your chance to give back. Use our community feedback tool to let others know what worked for you and what didn't.

Please also understand that the community feedback system is not warranted to be correct, it's simply a system that we've built to let people try and help each other. If something in a feedback response doesn't make sense to you, or you're not comfortable making changes that the feedback talks about (like registry edits), please consult a professional.

Thank you for using kbAlertz.com Feedback System.

-- Scott Cate