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How to Fix “Error downloading the file content” in Outlook

Are you getting this error in Outlook, “Error downloading the file content” in Outlook”?

The error message occurs if you’re trying to download a file in Outlook like PDF, JPG, PNG, or others.

According to Microsoft, the service is experiencing degradation since April.

Many users are unable to download attachments from Outlook on the web.

This is due to a recent update that contained a code configuration issue.

In this short and simple guide, you’ll learn how to fix “Error downloading the file content” in Outlook web app.

How to Fix “Error downloading the file content” in Outlook

To fix “Error downloading the file content” in Outlook, you can try clearing site data, changing the internet options setting, or granting site permissions to Outlook.

You can also try using adobe repair (if you can’t download PDF files) or using another browser.

Fix 1: Clear site data

  1. Open the Chrome browser and click on the three dots (on the top right).
  2. Select “Settings” and select “Privacy and security”.
  3. Select “Third-party cookies” and select “See all data and site permissions”.
  4. Search for “Outlook”, click on the trash icon, and click on “Delete”.

Fix 2: Change internet options setting

  1. Search for “Control panel” using Windows Search and open it.
  2. Network and internet > Internet options > Advanced.
  3. Scroll to the bottom and untick “Do not save encrypted pages to disk”.
  4. Select “Apply” and select “OK”.

Fix 3: Grant site permissions

  1. Open Chrome, go to Outlook, and log in to your account.
  2. Select the switch icon on the URL field (View site information).
  3. Click on “Site settings”.
  4. Allow “Javascript” and allow “Images”.

Fix 4: Use Adobe repair

  1. Search for “Acrobat reader” using Windows Search and open the app.
  2. Menu > Help > Repair installation.
  3. Select “Yes” and wait for the repair to complete.

Fix 5: Use another browser

  • If you’re using Chrome, try using Microsoft Edge instead.
  • You can also try using Firefox, Brave, or Opera.

Further reading

How to Fix Microphone too Quiet in OBS

How to Record Minecraft with OBS

How to Add a Microphone in OBS

About the author

Lim How Wei

Lim How Wei is the founder of followchain.org, with 8+ years of experience in Social Media Marketing and 4+ years of experience as an active investor in stocks and cryptocurrencies. He has researched, tested, and written thousands of articles ranging from social media platforms to messaging apps.

Lim has been quoted and referenced by major publications and media companies like WikiHow, Fast Company, HuffPost, Vice, New York Post, The Conversation, and many others. One of his articles about the gig economy was quoted by Joe Rogan who hosts The Joe Rogan Experience (arguably the most popular podcast in the world), in the This Past Weekend podcast by Theo Von.

In his free time, Lim plays multiple games like Genshin Impact, League of Legends, Counter-Strike, Hearthstone, RuneScape, and many others. He creates guides, walkthroughs, solutions, and more on games that he plays to help other players with their progression.