Outlook Working Offline – How to Fix?

• May 18, 2022
• Written by:
• James
• Reading Time: 12 minutes

Outlook is the most popular tool for sending and receiving emails. It has a feature called “Outlook Offline” that allows you to read your emails even if you’re not connected to the internet. However, sometimes this feature can cause problems for users. It might get stuck i.e., Outlook working offline, as a result, you won’t be able to send email or receive emails or schedule meetings.

“Life is for service.” – “Fred Rogers“

But don’t worry, we’ll help you figure out why is Outlook working offline and help you with how to switch it back to online mode in this guide.

Why is Outlook working offline or what does it mean?

If you are not sure why is outlook working offline, here’s how you can confirm it. Open Outlook, scroll down to the bottom of the screen, and see if it shows “Working Offline” or “Disconnected” in the status bar.

Let’s discover the major reasons why the outlook is working offline. It can be-

• An internet issue that Outlook working offline even though connected.
• Outlook settings issue that you can set it on offline mode unknowingly.
• Outlook program issue, repairing it may help.
• Outlook profile issue- damaged or corrupted.
• Third-party add-in causing Outlook offline.
• Login ID and password are incorrect.

These are various scenarios where you may need Outlook working offline fixes. These fixes are quite useful even if you don’t know the exact reason for this problem.

How to fix the Outlook working offline issue?

In this guide, we will show you how to fix Outlook working offline issues. We have compiled a list of the best solutions that you can use to resolve this problem and get Outlook back online.

1. Steps to get Outlook offline to online

First of all, check the “Work Offline” option to find if the outlook is online or offline, or follow the steps to get Outlook offline to online:

1. Open Outlook to navigate to the Send/Receive tab.
   
2. Locate the Preference group.
3. Now, see if the  “Work Offline” option is enabled.
4. If the option is grayed out, it means that Outlook is offline.
5. If the option is not colored, then Outlook is online.

2. Test your internet connection

If you have confirmed that your Outlook is in online mode, the next step is to check your network connection. Make sure that your computer is connected to the correct network and that your network device (modem/router) is receiving the required internet speed.

Additionally, make sure that there are no obstacles such as wooden objects or metal items between your computer and the router. It is essential to maintain proximity between them as much as possible.

3. Identify the corrupted add-ins

If you suspect that add-ins in Outlook are causing the offline issue, you can try removing them to see if it fixes the problem. Here are the steps to remove add-ins from Outlook:

1. Open Outlook and select the File tab.
2. Click on the Info option.
3. Tap on the “Manage COM Add-ins” button.
4. This will give you access to the add-ins list, and you can check them for errors.
5. To check, click on “Disable” for the add-ins and restart your system.

4. Run Outlook in safe mode

If you have tried disabling offline mode and add-ins but are still encountering the offline error in Outlook, try running it in Safe Mode. This will prevent any issues that may be preventing you from accessing Outlook online.

To launch the Outlook in Safe Mode, follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows + R key to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “outlook/safe” and continue to ok button.
3. You will see that Outlook is launched in Safe Mode.
4. When it prompts you for a password, select the profile.
5. Check if it allows you to connect to the Exchange server in Safe Mode.

5. Repair Outlook software

A damaged installation file could be the root of the problem, and repairing it can resolve any lingering issues.

1. Press the Windows key + I key to open the Windows settings.
2. Go to the “Apps” tab.
3. Select the “Apps and Features” option.
4. Search for “Office“.
5. Select the Office installation package.
6. Click on the “Modify” button.
7. Follow the instructions displayed on your screen.

6. Create a new profile in Outlook

If the Outlook offline error persists even after repairing the installation file, it is recommended to create a new profile. Use these steps to create new profile in Outlook:

1. Click on the File tab in your Outlook program.
2. Select Account Settings.
3. Click on the Manage Profile option.
4. Now, tap on the Show Profiles.
5. Then, tap on the Add button.
6. Provide your name in the Profile Name box to create a new profile.
7. Click on OK to complete the process.

Your new profile will be error-free and work efficiently.

Closing Remark:

We hope this guide on troubleshooting “Outlook working offline” has been helpful to you. You can refer to this guide whenever it reoccurs. However, if you still face the error or encounter any difficulty do not hesitate to contact us. Our technical team will be available 24/7 to assist you.

FAQs

Q: How do I get rid of offline in Outlook?

A: To remove the “Offline” status in Outlook, ensure your internet connection is stable. Then, go to the “Send/Receive” tab in the Outlook ribbon and click on the “Work Offline” button to toggle it off. Outlook will attempt to reconnect and switch back to online mode.

Q: Why does my Outlook say “Working Offline”?

A: Outlook may display the “Working Offline” status due to various reasons. It could be caused by a disruption in your internet connection, accidental activation of the offline mode, issues with the Exchange server, or a problem with your email account settings. Checking your internet connection, toggling the offline mode, and verifying server and account settings can help resolve this issue.

Also Read:

1. Outlook Cannot Connect to Server: How to Fix Connection Issues?
2. Outlook Search Not Working – Fixing Search Issues
3. How to Fix Outlook When it Won’t Open
4. Outlook Spell Check Not Working – How to Fix It?
5. Troubleshooting Outlook Not Working on Mac

Written By

James

My name is David Wayne, and I work as a technical support specialist for the online industry. In the last 7 years, I have fixed a variety of email issues, such as Outlook server errors, Outlook send receive errors, Outlook working offline problems and etc. So if you are facing these types of problems, please do not hesitate to contact us without any hesitation.