Send & Receive Issues

Fix Access Send Object Failing to Email PDFs Through Outlook

Maira Mehtab Sep 28, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users are unable to reliably send PDF documents via Outlook using the Microsoft Access Send Object function.

How to Fix Access Send Object Failing to Email PDFs Through Outlook

Product: Microsoft Access / Microsoft Outlook
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Automating business emails with PDF attachments (such as quotations and order documents) from an Access database to Outlook.
Observed behavior: The Send Object macro fails intermittently, particularly after a recent Office update. Restarting Access and Outlook only provides a temporary fix, after which the VBA macros stop responding.

Before you start

Ensure you have saved all pending database changes and verify which version of Outlook (Classic or New Outlook) you are currently using, as COM support and automation behaviors vary between versions.

Solution 1Recommended

Keep Outlook Closed Before Executing the Send Object Command

A reliable workaround for the intermittent COM interaction issue between Access and Outlook is to ensure Outlook is not running in the background before triggering the email automation.

Recent Office updates have altered how Access and Outlook communicate via COM processes. Leaving Outlook open can cause the communication channel to hang, requiring both applications to be restarted.

By keeping Outlook closed, you force Access to instantiate a fresh, unblocked background instance of Outlook for each automation request.

Save Database Progress

Save your current work in Microsoft Access to prevent any data loss in case the application freezes.

Close Microsoft Outlook

Fully exit Microsoft Outlook. Ensure it is not minimized to the system tray by checking the taskbar icons.

Run Send Object Macro

Trigger the Send Object macro or VBA script from your Access database. Access will automatically launch Outlook in the background, process the PDF attachment, and send the email.

Keep Outlook Closed Before Executing the Send Object Command

Workaround Verification: This method avoids the hung COM state, allowing continuous email automation without needing frequent application restarts.

Solution 2

Revert to Classic Outlook

If you recently updated to 'New Outlook', switching back to Classic Outlook can restore proper functionality for the Send Object macro.

Solution 3

Use Alternative VBA Email Automation (Outlook.Application)

Replacing the basic Send Object macro with dedicated VBA code using the Outlook Application object provides better stability and control.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office for Seamless Document Management

While Microsoft Access and Outlook integration can sometimes face complex COM errors and update conflicts, you can streamline your daily document workflows with WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, and built-in PDF tools.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the setup file and follow the on-screen instructions to install the suite on your computer.
3. Manage Documents Efficiently: Open your files and enjoy seamless document creation and native PDF sharing directly from the application interface.

Highly compatible with Microsoft Office formats (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)Built-in PDF editing, converting, and emailing features without complex macrosLightweight installation and smooth performance without heavy COM add-insFree to use with a familiar, easy-to-navigate interface

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does restarting Access and Outlook temporarily fix the Send Object error?

Restarting forces both applications to close their background COM communication channels. If an earlier email automation caused the channel to hang, restarting clears this stuck instance, allowing the macro to run successfully again until it hangs.

Does the New Outlook support Microsoft Access email automation?

The New Outlook has significantly different architecture compared to Classic Outlook and lacks full support for legacy COM add-ins and certain VBA automation methods. For stable Access automation, using Classic Outlook is currently recommended.

Can I automate sending PDFs from Access without using Outlook?

Yes. You can use CDO (Collaboration Data Objects) in VBA to bypass Outlook entirely. CDO allows you to send emails with PDF attachments directly through an SMTP server by securely configuring your mail server credentials in the VBA script.

Why did this issue start happening after an Office update?

Microsoft frequently patches security vulnerabilities and updates the architecture of Office applications. Sometimes these updates alter how cross-application automation (like Access triggering Outlook) is handled, leading to intermittent failures or blocked background processes.

Outlook & Email Problems