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Amit Singh
Amit Singh

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How to Fix Mac Outlook 2016/2011 not Downloading Attachments Issue?

Outlook is one of the most popular email clients amongst Windows and Mac users. It is designed to function as a personal information manager. You can use Outlook to manage your emails, contacts, calendars, documents, etc.

However, despite its massive popularity, the application is far from perfect. Users have often reported facing problems while using Outlook for Mac 2016/2011. One common issue is Outlook for Mac is not downloading attachments. If you're one of the users facing this issue, don't worry - we've got you covered. In this article, we'll discuss the common causes behind the Mac Outlook 2016/2011 not downloading attachments issue and provide solutions to fix the issue.

Reasons behind Mac Outlook 2016 not Downloading Attachments Issue

There can be several possible reasons why Mac Outlook 2016 is unable to download attachments. Some common ones include:

  • Outlook application is outdated
  • Incorrect configuration settings
  • Unsupported file format

Solutions to Fix the Mac Outlook 2016/2011 not Downloading Attachments Issue

We recommend that you first log out of your Outlook account and log in again. If the issue still persists, try the methods mentioned below.

Solution 1: Update Your Mac Outlook Application

Always remember to use the latest Outlook for Mac version. If you’re using an outdated version of Outlook, then you may face issues while downloading the attachments. In such a case, updating your application will easily solve the issue. To check and install the latest updates, follow the steps mentioned below:

  • Launch the Outlook for Mac application.
  • Navigate to the Help option.
  • Select the Check for Updates option.
  • In case updates are available, install them by following the advised instructions.

Tip: To save time, you can enable the Auto Update option in Outlook. This will automatically installed the latest updates when available.

Solution 2: Clear Your Mac Cache

Cache is used to temporarily store data. Such data can occupy too much space, thus limiting Outlook’s functionality. This eventually leads to sync issues between your Outlook and the mail server, which will prevent Outlook from downloading the attachments. You can clear the cache folder to resolve the issue. Follow the steps mentioned below:

  • Hover over the navigation panel and then right-click on it.
  • From the menu, click on the Properties option.
  • Then, click on the Empty Cache option.
  • Now, find the folder containing the attachments that you weren’t able to download before and right-click on it.
  • Finally, click on the Synchronization Now button.

Solution 3: Download Attachments using an Microsoft 365 Account

If your Outlook for Mac account is synced with an Microsoft 365 account, you can easily view and download your attachments. This method is the most reliable in case you need to download attachments from Outlook for Mac urgently.

Read more about How to Fix Mac Outlook Error Code 19723?

Still facing the Issue?

If you’ve tried all the above options and are still unable to fix your issue, it means there is a problem with your Outlook client or OLM file. In this case, you can consider extracting data from the Mac Outlook OLM file and save it in the PST file. You can then open this PST file in Outlook for Windows to view your emails and attachments.

To convert OLM to PST, you can use Stellar Converter for OLM. This tool can easily convert all the data from the OLM file, such as emails, attachments, calendars, contacts, etc. into PST. This tool also allows you to save OLM file data in other file formats, like MSG, PDF, EML, and HTML. This advanced tool supports all latest versions of Outlook for Windows and Mac.

Conclusion

Outlook for Mac is one of the best email clients in terms of functionalities and user experience. However, that doesn’t mean that the application is without faults. One common issue that users often face is Mac Outlook 2016/2011 not downloading attachments. In this post, we’ve discussed why this issue happens and how to fix this issue. You can follow any or all of the solutions mentioned above and see what works best for you.

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