Fixing G Suite and Outlook Sync

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Although technology has evolved tremendously over the past couple of years, some professionals still struggle over the basic processes. When it comes to syncing Google Workspace (previously G Suite) with Microsoft Outlook, there isn’t one easy way to do it.

For Microsoft Outlook and Google Workspace synchronization, IT administrators usually consider using GSSMO (or G Suite Sync for Microsoft Outlook). 

GSSMO is a tool supplied by Google that lets you use G Suite and Outlook together. This plug-in lets you synchronize:

• Emails
• Calendar
• Contacts
• Global Address List
• Notes
• Tasks

However, some types of data aren’t synchronized and some features in Outlook function differently when you use GSSMO. Data might also look a little different in certain Google products, such as Gmail.

Below is the complete list of requirements for Google Workspace Sync for Microsoft Outlook (GSSMO).

A G Suite or G Suite for Education (any tier) account is needed.

GSSMO only works on Windows. The following Windows operating systems are supported:

Windows 10 (32 and 64-bit)

Windows 8 (32 and 64-bit)

Windows 7 (32 and 64-bit)

Windows Vista SP1 (32 and 64-bit)

GSSMO works with a limited range of Outlook versions. This includes:

Outlook 2019, 2016, and 2013 (32 and 64-bit)

Outlook 2010 (32 and 64-bit)

Microsoft Outlook 2007 with Office SP2

Microsoft Outlook 2007 with Office SP1

Microsoft Outlook 2003 with Office SP3

After you meet these requirements, however, GSSMO may still not work smoothly for everyone.  

Be sure to investigate as soon as you notice that your G Suite account:

• is not receiving content updates or certain email messages
• some or all emails are not sending
• data is duplicated or missing from your account.

Various GSSMO errors can really hamper the flow between Outlook and G Suite, disrupting your everyday work.

Next in the article, we will get into the basic steps you need to take to resolve GSSMO issues.

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If you have ever used the GSSMO tool, you will know that it is not uncommon to face G Suite sync problems. Although fixing them may require some manual troubleshooting, the process is not as complex as it sounds.  

Google provides some detailed guides and a basic troubleshooter that can help you handle the synchronization as easily as possible. Despite Google’s efforts, though, some users still do not always know how to get around G Suite and Outlook sync issues. 

Luckily, the SyncGene team is here to help you figure out a good troubleshooting strategy.  

Just follow the steps below.

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Step #1 – Defining the issue

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After the failed synchronization from Outlook to G Suite, the first step is to determine the type of issue you are facing.

Synchronization may have been stopped entirely and no data was transferred. In this case, check the solutions mentioned in steps #2, #3, and #4.  

In other cases, you may notice that your synchronization was partially successful, but some messages or folders are missing on your new account. If this is the case, check out steps #4 and #5. 

This distinction is important, as the root cause for the issue (as well as the solution) is very different for each. 

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Step #2 – Checking GSSMO requirements

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If your synchronization stopped altogether, you will first need to double-check if your Windows or Outlook meets all GSSMO system requirements.  

This seems like the most obvious step to take, but not complying with the requirements is one of the most common reasons why G Suite and Outlook sync is not working.  

See “GSSMO requirements” if you need a reminder of what they are.  

If everything seems in order, but the tool is still not working, continue the troubleshooting process.  

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Step #3 – Do you have the latest GSSMO version?

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If your Windows and Outlook versions are up-to-date, don’t forget to check if you have the newest GSSMO release with all the latest hotfixes.

To check if you have the latest GSSMO version, click on the tool icon in the system tray and choose About from the menu.

Although updates are usually installed automatically, you can also download them at any time from the GSSMO download page.

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Step #4 – Resyncing Outlook data

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Sometimes, after double-checking all of the synchronization parameters, the issue may be solved by retrying the process entirely.

GSSMO lets users re-sync Google Contacts, Google Calendar, Gmail, or other data.

Follow the steps below to do it:

1. Click GSSMO in your Windows taskbar notification area. From here, you can open the GSSMO settings.
2. Choose View sync status.
3. In the Synchronization Status dialog, click Re-sync next to Google Contacts, Google Calendar, Gmail, or whatever data you want to re-sync.
4. Then, select one of the following options:  
5. Overwrite: Overwrites your Outlook profile with data from Google, updating just the data type you selected (Contacts, Calendar, Gmail, etc.). It’s recommended to try this option first, to check if it fixes your problem.
6. Delete and re-sync: Deletes data from your Outlook profile, then re-syncs with the cloud to combine your profile with data from Google. Applies only to the data type selected (Google Contacts, Google Calendar, Gmail, etc.). Choose this option only after trying the Overwrite option.  
7. Click Re-sync.

Note, that the re-sync process will take longer than usual.  

If the issues you have been facing are not resolved after the re-syncing process, you may need to undertake some additional “under-the-hood” methods.

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Step #5 – Checking the error code

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Sometimes, even after re-syncing Outlook data, you might still get certain sync issues and errors. To determine the reason for the issue, admins may have to find and investigate the error messages they are receiving.  

The list of error codes can be located in the GSSMO tracing logs:

Windows 7 and up – C:\Users\your-user-name\AppData\Local\Google\Google Apps Sync\Tracing\ 

Earlier versions of Windows – C:\Documents and Settings\your-user-name\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Google Apps Sync\Tracing\ 

If you can recognize the error code, you will be able to choose the troubleshooting method accordingly.  

If it comes to it, users can submit their trace logs to the Google Admin Toolbox Log Analyzer to save time on the investigation.  

Here are the most common GSSMO error messages:

• 0x00040680 indicates that the Google Calendar format conversion to Microsoft Outlook format was unsuccessful. To resolve this issue, delete and recreate the event.
• 0x80040109 – there might be a problem with your anti-virus software, or another application, which is preventing access to the PST files. Turn off these applications temporarily to see if it resolves the issue. If it does, exclude the PST directory from your anti-virus scans. 
• 0x80040610 – it seems that you have an email in your Outbox that is too large. Delete the email or edit it to be smaller.
• 0x8004060c shows that one of the PST files that you want to transfer is too large for Outlook. You will then need to create a profile with a smaller size limit. 

The code list goes on, so be sure to check Google Workspace Learning Center if you didn’t find the necessary code here.

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Various G Suite and Outlook sync issues could impact the quality of your data in the long run. So, to access and use G Suite data uninterruptedly, even when facing GSSMO issues, it’s important to have a backup of your data.  

Backing up files tends to be the most traditional and reliable way a business can both protect their digital assets and ensure business continuity.

Needless to say, you should back up your G Suite data before even thinking about synchronizing it with Outlook, to avoid data loss.

Read more about popular backup strategies and mistakes to avoid in our blog.

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At this point, it’s already clear that troubleshooting G Suite and Outlook sync errors might not be a straightforward process, as it requires a lot of technical knowledge, time, and an enormous amount of your effort.  

One of the simplest solutions to fix G Suite sync errors would be to contact the SyncGene support team. 

As a Microsoft Gold Partner, SyncGene specializes in synchronization between various sources. Our team would be happy to resolve your issues and help you get back on track.  

Even better – you can avoid failures altogether and use SyncGene Enterprise to transfer Calendars and Contacts across any cloud-based platform.

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SyncGene Enterprise can help you connect Contacts and Calendar from G Suite with Outlook 365 in minutes, saving you all the hassle of a complex data transfer scenario.  

SyncGene Enterprise holds a broad collection of tools and solutions that will save you lots of time and effort.  

Whether your business is acquiring another company or merging different mailing systems, connecting data from Google Workspace to Outlook 365 will always be secure and fast with SyncGene Enterprise.

There you go – all the basic steps that you should take when fixing a G Suite and Outlook sync issues. And now you know that you can avoid errors altogether with SyncGene Enterprise.  

With SyncGene Enterprise, small or large-scale data transfer will be a painless process for IT administrators, managers, and end-users.  

But you don’t have to believe us – see the benefits for yourself by booking a demo today!  

And, if you have any questions, send us an email, give us a call, or start a Live Chat.