How to Fix “Not Implemented” Error in Outlook?
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Written By Nandini Sharma -
Updated on April 21, 2025 -
Min Reading 7 Min - Share
Is Outlook sending you a “Not Implemented” error when you try to send that important work email? Even hitting Reply All and clicking Send/Receive might generate this annoying message. But don’t worry; this error isn’t nearly as cryptic as it sounds.
It usually points to something broken behind the scenes, like an add-in gone rogue or a busted PST file. We’ll walk you through step-by-step fixes in this guide to help get your Outlook back on track!
What Does “Not Implemented” Mean in Outlook?
The Microsoft Outlook “Not Implemented” error will usually show up when you’re trying to perform some basic actions—like replying to an email, sending a message, or using the Send/Receive function. When this error message pops up, Outlook is essentially saying, “Hey, I can’t complete this task because something is broken or missing.”
This error isn’t limited to a specific Outlook version either, by the way. It can pop up in Outlook 2007, 2010, 2016, 2019, or even the latest versions of Outlook 2021. And while the wording sounds vague, what it actually means is: Outlook hit a roadblock. Something in the app—either add-ins, profiles, settings, or the PST file—is either misconfigured, corrupted, or flat-out not working. Let’s look at why this happens.
Causes of the “Not Implemented” Error in Outlook
There’s no single reason for this error to pop up, and it is usually a combination of glitches, outdated settings, and/or broken files. Here are some of the most common culprits.
- ⚙️ Faulty or outdated add-ins: Third-party add-ins can interfere with Outlook’s main features, especially if you’ve just updated.
- 🔄 Damaged Send/Receive settings (SRS file): This is a configuration file, and when it gets corrupted, your mail sync can break completely.
- 👤 Corrupted Outlook profile: You might have a broken or misconfigured user profile, which can cause the “Not Implemented” issue.
- 💾 Incomplete Office/Outlook installation: If installation or updates to your software didn’t finish properly, Outlook could fail to function as intended and return this error.
- 🔧 Outlook updates gone wrong: A botched or incompatible update can also trigger this error out of nowhere.
- 📦 Side-by-side Outlook versions: Running two versions of Outlook together almost always leads to confusion—and errors like this one.
- 📁 Corrupted PST file: A damaged data file or PST file can prevent Outlook from sending, receiving, or even opening your emails, leading to the error.
FIXED: Outlook “Not Implemented” Error – Solutions That Work!
Given below are the most reliable fixes we found, starting with the easiest. We’ll walk you through them step-by-step, but if you prefer a video tutorial, check out this handy tutorial we made to fix the “Not Implemented” error.
1. Disable Problematic Outlook Add-Ins
Faulty or outdated add-ins are one of the most common causes of the “Not Implemented” error in Outlook. These plugins, which are meant to enhance functionality, sometimes end up breaking things. Here’s how to disable them safely.
a) Press Windows+R, type exe/safe, and hit Enter. You can alternatively hold down the Ctrl key while clicking the Outlook shortcut.
b) In Outlook, go to File>Options>Add-ins. At the bottom of the window, next to the “Manage:COM Add-ins,” click Go.
c) Uncheck all the add-ins that are listed. Then, click OK to disable them.
d ) Finally, close Outlook and restart it normally.
If your error disappears after doing this, congrats, you’ve found the culprit! But the work is not yet done.
To identify which add-in was causing trouble, re-enable them one at a time and test after each one. When the error reappears, you’ll know which one to keep disabled. This step alone should fix the issue for a lot of users. If it doesn’t, read on.
2. Repair Your Outlook Installation
If Outlook’s internal files are corrupted or incomplete and causing the issue, features like Reply or Forward might break and Outlook will throw the “Not Implemented” error. But don’t worry; instead of reinstalling Outlook entirely, you can try repairing it using the built-in Office repair tool. Here’s how to go about it.
a) Press Windows+R, type cpl, and hit Enter. This opens the Programs and Features window.
b) Find Microsoft Office in the list (or Outlook, if you’ve installed it separately). Then right-click on it and select Change.
c) In the popup, select Quick Repair and click Repair. If that doesn’t solve it, you can come back and try Online Repair for a deeper fix.
[Note: Keep in mind that Online Repair requires you to have an internet connection and may take longer].
d) Once the repair is done, restart your PC and launch Outlook to see if the issue is fixed.
This method will be especially effective if your error started after a system update or an MS Office upgrade.
3. Create a New Outlook Profile
A corrupt Outlook profile can also cause the “Not Implemented” error. Try creating a new profile, as this gives Outlook a clean slate and can resolve weird issues like this one instantly.
a) Open the Control Panel and select Mail (you can search for it in the Control Panel search bar).
b) Click Show Profiles and then Add. Give your new profile a name.
c) Follow the steps to set up your email account. Outlook will automatically configure the settings.
d) After setup, go back to the Show Profiles Under “When starting Microsoft Outlook, use this profile,” choose Prompt for a profile to be used and click OK.
e) Open Outlook and select your new profile. Now try using Reply, Forward, or Send again.
If the error is gone, you can set this new profile as the default. If not, move on to the next fix.
4. Fix the Send/Receive Error by Deleting the SRS File
Outlook stores your Send/Receive preferences in a hidden file with .srs extension. If this file gets corrupted, it can definitely cause Outlook to malfunction while sending or replying. Deleting it will force Outlook to make a clean version and potentially fix your problem. Here’s how to do this.
a) Close Outlook completely. Then, press Windows+R, type %appdata%\Microsoft\Outlook and hit Enter.
b) Look for a file named Outlooksrs. Delete it.
c) Now restart Outlook. It will automatically generate a new SRS file with the default settings needed.
d) Try sending or replying to a message now. If you are successful, you had a corrupted SRS file all along!
5. Repair Corrupt PST File
A corrupt data file can cause this error too. Outlook stores your emails, calendar events, and contacts in a .pst (or .ost) file. If this file is damaged, certain features will stop working, leading to this error.
To repair it, we can use Microsoft’s built-in tool called ScanPST.exe. But before we show you how to use it, it’s worth noting that numerous users have lost data or got their profiles corrupted after using this tool. It’s important to know that ScanPST.exe may remove or delete some corrupt Outlook items, such as your emails or notes, that it couldn’t repair.
If you don’t want to risk data loss, reputable Outlook PST Repair Tools are available online. That’s where Stellar Repair for Outlook comes in. This professional-grade tool is designed to repair even the most severely corrupted PST files and restore all your mailbox data, including emails, attachments, calendars, contacts, and more—all without putting your data at risk.
Why use Stellar’s Outlook PST Repair Tool?
✅ It has an easy-to-use UI—no technical expertise is needed!
✅ It repairs corrupt PST and restores all mail items to a new PST file.
✅ It recovers emails, attachments, contacts, calendars, tasks, notes, etc.
✅ It supports MS Outlook 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, and even earlier versions.
Download Stellar Repair for Outlook and Get back full access to your mailbox right away!
However, if you feel like you know what you’re doing and continue with the ScanPST.exe method, follow these steps.
a) Close Outlook completely.
b) Find ScanPSTexe. Its location depends on your Outlook version:
1. For Office 2016/2019/2021: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\SCANPST.EXE
2. For Office 2013: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office15\SCANPST.EXE
c) Run the tool, then click Browse to select your PST file. It’s usually found at:
C:\Users\<YourUsername>\Documents\Outlook Files\
d) Click Start, and if errors are found, select Repair.
e) Once done, relaunch Outlook and check if your error was fixed.
Final Thoughts
The Not Implemented error can be bothersome, but the fixes we’ve outlined above should help fix it without a hitch. Make sure your versions are always up to date and your inbox is backed up.
If you’ve tried everything and Outlook still won’t behave, we recommend going straight for a PST file repair with Stellar’s Outlook Repair tool. It’s your best shot at fully fixing the problem without any headaches!
FAQs
- What is a PST file in Outlook?
A PST (Personal Storage Table) file stores all your emails, contacts, and calendar data locally on the system. It also enables offline access to your mailbox and is commonly used to back up or transfer Outlook’s data.
- Does SCANPST always fix Outlook errors?
No, not always. SCANPST (Microsoft’s Inbox repair tool) is limited and may freeze or fail during repair. It often can’t handle severely corrupted PST files.
- Will reinstalling Office fix the “Not Implemented” error?
Reinstalling Office might help if your issue is tied to core Office files. But since it won’t repair a damaged PST file, it’s not a reliable solution.
- Why use Stellar Repair for Outlook?
Stellar Repair for Outlook repairs corrupt PST files, restores mailbox items, and supports multiple save formats. Plus, it works even when Outlook itself can’t open the file.
- Is Stellar Repair for Outlook compatible with Windows 11?
Yes. Stellar Repair for Outlook supports Windows 11, 10, 8, and 7 (both the 32-bit and 64-bit versions).
About The Author
Nandini is a skilled technical writer. With a wealth of experience in technical writing, she brings valuable insights and practical tips to the tech community. Be sure to explore the content and stay tuned for more informative posts!
