How to Resolve Outlook Work Offline Greyed Out Error?
Overview: Outlook’s Work Offline greyed-out issue can happen for a number of causes connected to the Outlook program, add-ins, or data files (.OST). Users are unable to send or receive fresh emails when it happens, though. We have covered the error in detail in this blog and offered a few ways to help you fix it so you may resume sending and receiving emails.
You can enable or disable Outlook Work Offline option from the Send/Receive tab. When enabled, it stops Outlook from automatically synchronizing or updating mailbox folders. By selecting the ‘Update Folder’ option, you can manually update the folders.
When your network access is weak or you don’t want to be bothered by frequent notifications and pings, the Work Offline option is useful.
When enabled, the Outlook status bar shows Working Offline and the Outlook icon in the taskbar has a cross across it.
However, a lot of customers have taken issue with the Work Offline option being disabled. As a result, they are unable to turn off the Work Offline mode or log back in.
One or more of the following factors could be to blame for this:
- Outdated or damaged Outlook software
- Defective or incompatible add-ons
- Defective Outlook profile
- Large or inconsistent OST file
- A bad or non-existent network connection
- The copy of Outlook is not enabled
You can use the solutions listed below to fix the problem with Work Offline being greyed out.
Read Also – Move from Working Offline to Working Online in Outlook
Techniques to Fix Work Offline Greyed Out Issues in Outlook
Method 1. Activate Outlook
Verify that your version of Outlook is active. Your membership might have run out and you’ll need to renew it in order to keep using the Outlook email client.
In order to activate Outlook and gain access to all features, including Work Offline, you may either renew the license or purchase a new one.
Additionally, confirm that the Microsoft-connected email account and the account used to purchase the license are linked. Outlook might not activate or let you utilize it if that happens.
Method 2. Verify the Network and Server Connectivity.
Users of Outlook may also be unable to exit the Work Offline mode or return to the online mode due to network troubles. Therefore, make sure your network connection is operational and that the system is not offline. Mailbox servers occasionally fall offline for maintenance or other reasons. In this situation, you should first make sure that your computer is online and that no firewall or antivirus software is preventing the Outlook programs from running.
To access the email account and see if you can access it, open your web browser. The server is likely down if the page doesn’t load. You should wait and try again later in this situation. You should speak with your administrator if it still doesn’t function.
Check your login information, nevertheless, if the page loads but you are unable to log in. Try both the old and new passwords for login if you just changed it. One of them must function.
There isn’t much you can do if the account has been deleted from the mailbox server except than contacting the administrator or service provider.
Method 3. Update Microsoft Outlook and Windows
Outdated Outlook clients may also cause specific problems, such as Work Offline options that are greyed out. Go to File > Office Account and select the Update Options to see if there are any updates available.
After checking and updating Outlook to its most recent version, the system should be restarted.
To check and update Outlook, open the Microsoft Store.
Check Windows Updates as well. Install any pending updates that you can. Check Outlook after the system has restarted.
Method 4. Launch Outlook in Safe Mode
Run Outlook in Safe Mode to check if the Work Offline capability is disabled by an unreliable or incompatible add-in. Here are the procedures:
Open Outlook in secure mode to view if an unreliable or incompatible add-in is to
Press Windows + R, enter Outlook.exe /safe and then press the Enter key to close Outlook. Outlook opens in protected mode.
Select File > Options > Add-Ins.
In the section labeled Manage COM Add-Ins, click Go.
Click OK after unchecking every add-in to disable it.
Normally restart Outlook.
If the problem is fixed, then one or more add-ins are to blame. Take the following actions to determine which one is the problem:
Check Outlook after enabling one add-in.
Enable another and revaluate if the Work Offline switch is operational.
This will aid in identifying the flawed add-in.
Method 5. MS Office Repair
To resolve the Outlook Work Offline greyed-out issue, you can also try fixing the MS Office installation or reinstalling the MS Office.
The following are the steps:
Enter %localappdataMicrosoftOutlook by pressing Windows+R, followed by the return key.
Make a copy of your OST file.
Click Uninstall a program after opening the Control Panel.
After selecting Microsoft Office, click Change.
To fix MS Office, choose Repair from the available options and follow the repair instructions.
Open Outlook after the system has restarted following the repair.
See Outlook and see if the Work Offline option is still disabled.
If the repair doesn’t work, attempt a reinstall of Outlook.
Method 6. Make A New Account
Such problems could also be brought on by a damaged or corrupt profile. In order to fix the problems, you can make a new profile. However, make a backup of the current OST file from its default place before creating a new profile and deleting the older one.
The following are the steps:
- Launch the Control Panel.
- Find Mail, and then click it.
- Enter the profile name, then click OK after choosing Show Profiles > Add.
- Set up the new profile to use your email address.
- Select the new profile as the default after setup.
- Relaunch Outlook.
The Concluding Words!
Outlook’s Work Offline feature becomes greyed out as a result of unsuitable add-ins, a corrupted profile or OST file, or when the user account is deleted from the mailbox server. Users are unable to move between the work offline and work online modes when the Work Offline option is greyed out, which prevents them from sending or receiving new emails. Follow the suggestions in this post to rapidly fix the problem and resume receiving new messages if you’re having it with your Outlook client.
You should use a CubexSoft OST Converter to convert your orphaned OST file into PST format if the Work Offline option is greyed out as a result of account termination or removal from the mailbox server in order to prevent data loss. The software can assist you in removing mail items from sizable, inaccessible, or orphaned OST files so that you can save them to PST files or export them right to active Exchange or Office 365.
