Avoid IMAP Timeout Errors in Outlook
If you see the error message: "Your IMAP server has closed the connection. This may occur if you have left the connection idle for too long", you can resolve it by adjusting the server timeout settings in Outlook.
Cause
By default, Outlook may close idle IMAP connections after a short period of inactivity. Increasing the server timeout value prevents Outlook from disconnecting too quickly.
Solution – Adjust Server Timeouts
Follow these steps in the latest Outlook versions:
- Open Outlook and go to File → Account Settings → Account Settings.
- Select your IMAP email account and click Change.
- Click More Settings.
- Go to the Advanced tab.
- Locate the Server Timeouts slider.
- Drag the slider to the far right (10 minutes).
- Click Apply and then OK.
- Close the settings window and restart Outlook.
Best Practices
- Set server timeouts to at least 5–10 minutes for IMAP accounts.
- Ensure your internet connection is stable to avoid disconnections.
- Keep Outlook updated to the latest version for improved IMAP handling.
✔ Tip: Increasing the server timeout value is the simplest way to prevent IMAP idle disconnections.
If issues persist, check your antivirus/firewall settings as they may interfere with IMAP connections.