Can't add new rules, can't access page to manage rules

Anonymous
2015-12-19T22:59:43+00:00

I started adding a lot of rules to my account on Outlook.com. The rules I have set up are working fine. But now when trying to add any new rules it's failing and when I go to Settings>Manage Rules I go to a blank page with an error message.

Details:

Adding new rule. Right-click on a message>Create Rule. Dialog comes up, I'm able to fill in all fields and click Apply/Okay:

    - I get a message at the top of the screen stating "Sorry, Outlook.com wasn’t able to complete this request." at some point while filling in the fields.

    - When clicking on Apply/Okay I then get red text at the bottom of the dialog stating "Unable to cast object of type ‘Microsoft.Msn.Hotmail.FDCommon.Data.Xfs.XfsException’ to type ‘Microsoft.Msn.Hotmail.InboundMail.MailRules’."

Going to Settings>Manage Rules:

    - I get to the settings page, but none of my rules (The ones that still function normally when receiving mails) are present and there's a message at the top of the screen stating "Something happened at our end. Please refresh your browser or close it and sign in again."

   - When trying to create a new rule within this page, I get the same error as when on the main page stating "Unable to cast object of type ‘Microsoft.Msn.Hotmail.FDCommon.Data.Xfs.XfsException’ to type ‘Microsoft.Msn.Hotmail.InboundMail.MailRules’."

Have I hit some limit on the amount of rules Outlook is able to process? I have created a lot of them, over a page of rules, all of them just moving stuff into folders based on sender name.

Is there a way to clear my rules so I can start again?

Have tried this on the following operating systems and browsers: Windows 7 Professional, OSX 10.11.2, Safari 9.0.2, Internet Explorer 9, Firefox 43.0.1 (and at least one earlier version), adblockers and virus/malware checkers all disabled at some point in case that was an issue.

Also, tried the above steps on my girlfriend's account (which has no rules set up yet) and it works fine. Can create new rules, and access the manage rules page fine.

What can I do?

If I can't access the Mange Rules page to delete some rules that might be causing this, then I need someone from Outlook.com support to do something right?

Cheers.

Outlook | Web | Outlook.com | Settings

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

109 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2015-12-25T19:25:07+00:00

    Please note, checking the status of outlook.com will only tell us the status of a web-based email system; it will not help diagnose a problem being reported independently by multiple users.

    We need Microsoft's help, b/c this a problem somewhere in the outlook.com infrastructure.

    the problem: this:

    the error: this: in the screenshot above you can see the"new rule" button is available, but using the "new" button to forcing the creation of a rule leads to the error,

    " Unable to cast object of type 'Microsoft.Msn.Hotmail.FDCommon.Data.Xfs.XfsException'

    to type 'Microsoft.Msn.Hotmail.InboundMail.MailRules'." 

    I am using IE11, but I have tried chrome, and firefox...also please note that IE11, Chrome and FF are all browsers that handled the rules page one month ago.

    Also please note, I pay for my outlook.com account and I pay specifically so I can use my account when I need it. 

    Obviously there can be down times / outages / etc...but with those should also be some degree of escalation to resolve the problem.

    How do we get this error to the team that can fix the problem?  I need to edit my rules and since I've been waiting 2 or 3 weeks now, how much longer do I need to wait?

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2015-12-25T10:53:20+00:00

    Yup. Issue still present. Is it normally this silent from the tech support staff?

    Is there a chance that maybe the Mail app in Windows 10 will have access to these rules and perhaps allow them to be managed there? Have some PC with Windows 10 in a cupboard, might try that.

    Hi,  Ooloo Roo!

    Strangely enough, I have found that the rules system on the Office version of Outlook is now working fine.  Categories, on the other hand, is a different matter, as it works in a different way to the .com version.  I'd be glad to assist you, or any other community members, to do it - IF needed.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2015-12-24T15:33:03+00:00

    Hi I have exactly the same issue:

    I checked my account on https://status.live.com all is fine, but I am not able to manage my rules anymore

    neither able to see them if I try to open the rules overview.

    Also the error message below if I try to setup a new rule.

    By the way, I have tried everything I already read in these threads. used multiple browsers, emptied cache etc. etc.

    I am quit sure it has nothing to do with local hard and software it has to do with something in the outlook accounts at your end. Please help us out here.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2015-12-23T12:45:07+00:00

    Same for Safari iOS. Also tried the Outlook.com iOS app. Has no access to rules.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  5. Anonymous
    2015-12-23T12:40:05+00:00

    Yup. Issue still present. Is it normally this silent from the tech support staff?

    Is there a chance that maybe the Mail app in Windows 10 will have access to these rules and perhaps allow them to be managed there? Have some PC with Windows 10 in a cupboard, might try that.

    I really dont know if it is this silent. This is my first help post on this forum. I tried accessing the site on Safari on iphone and it showed me an error there as well.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments