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
Ad
Tools You'll Need
- Computer with Outlook installed
- Administrative access to Windows
How to Fix Error Code 0x8004060C
-
Close Outlook Completely
Make sure to save any unsent emails as drafts before closing Outlook to prevent data loss. -
Check PST File Size
-
Create Archive Folder
-
Use AutoArchive Feature
-
Manually Archive Large Folders
-
Delete Unnecessary Items
Permanently delete items only if you're certain you won't need them, as this action cannot be undone. -
Compact PST File
The compacting process may take 15-30 minutes depending on file size. Do not interrupt this process. -
Restart Outlook and Test
Parts You May Need
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
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
Ad
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.