Outlook Error Code 0x8004060C: How to Fix It

Medium 30-60 minutes Medium Severity Verified June 2026
Error Code
0x8004060C
Brand
Outlook
Product Type
operating_system
Severity
Medium
DIY Difficulty
Medium
Estimated Fix Time
30-60 minutes
Outlook error code 0x8004060C occurs when your PST or OST file has grown too large, causing performance issues and preventing Outlook from working properly. This error typically appears when your mailbox exceeds the file size limits, usually around 2GB for older PST files or 50GB for newer versions.
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Tools You'll Need

How to Fix Error Code 0x8004060C

  1. Close Outlook Completely

    Make sure to save any unsent emails as drafts before closing Outlook to prevent data loss.
  2. Check PST File Size

  3. Create Archive Folder

  4. Use AutoArchive Feature

  5. Manually Archive Large Folders

  6. Delete Unnecessary Items

    Permanently delete items only if you're certain you won't need them, as this action cannot be undone.
  7. Compact PST File

    The compacting process may take 15-30 minutes depending on file size. Do not interrupt this process.
  8. Restart Outlook and Test

Parts You May Need

External hard drive or USB drive
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External hard drive or USB drive
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External hard drive or USB drive
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External hard drive or USB drive
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External hard drive or USB drive
Check Price on Amazon
External hard drive or USB drive
Check Price on Amazon
External hard drive or USB drive
Check Price on Amazon
External hard drive or USB drive
Check Price on Amazon
External hard drive or USB drive
Check Price on Amazon
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When to Call a Professional

Contact your IT department or a computer technician if you're using Outlook in a corporate environment with Exchange server, if the PST file appears corrupted during the process, or if you're uncomfortable managing email archives and risk losing important business communications.

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes Outlook error 0x8004060C?
Error 0x8004060C is caused by PST or OST files that have grown too large for Outlook to handle efficiently. This typically occurs when mailboxes exceed 2GB for older PST formats or 50GB for newer versions.
Will archiving emails delete them permanently?
No, archiving moves emails to a separate PST archive file where they remain accessible. You can open archived emails anytime by opening the archive file in Outlook, but they won't count toward your main mailbox size limit.
How can I prevent this error from happening again?
Set up AutoArchive to automatically move old emails to archive files every few months, regularly delete unnecessary emails and large attachments, and empty your Deleted Items folder frequently.
Is it safe to delete the Deleted Items folder?
Yes, emptying the Deleted Items folder is safe and recommended. Items in this folder are already marked for deletion and are taking up space in your PST file. However, make sure you don't need any of those emails before permanently deleting them.
What's the maximum PST file size for different Outlook versions?
Older Outlook versions (2002 and earlier) have a 2GB limit, while newer versions (2003 and later) support up to 50GB PST files. However, performance may degrade well before reaching these limits, so regular archiving is recommended.