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Those are out of reach when Outlook can’t connect live to Microsoft Exchange. Sometimes, updates can also lead to certain issues with the programs installed on Windows OS. Therefore, if there are any pending updates related to MS Office or Outlook, you should check and install them. You can follow these methods to troubleshoot and resolve the Outlook Outlook profile repair and recovery steps stuck in Offline Mode error. These methods work in Outlook 2010, 2013, 2016, and 2019.
Check OST file
Try opening a browser or running a quick ping test to check if your network’s up.And thus, an Offline Storage Table (OST) file is created to save a local synchronized copy of mailbox items.However, Outlook may fail to recreate the OST file if it can't connect to the server or your mailbox on the server.Shoviv OST to PST converter is a specialized tool that is designed and developed to convert the OST file to the PST format.The intuitive interface of this tool is very smooth and easy to navigate.All the modifications are stored locally in the OST data file before syncing with the mailbox server.A corrupt or damaged Outlook profile can prevent Outlook from authorizing and connecting to the mail server.
When offline, the status is displayed in the status credential loop in Microsoft 365 bar at the bottom as Working Offline or Disconnected. Just having a simple update routine and checking build numbers from time to time can save a lot of trouble. Staying current with updates is probably the easiest way to keep Outlook connected.
How To Fix Outlook Stuck in Offline Mode?
Move it to a backup folder, like Desktop\OST Backup. Every business setup is different, and sometimes these problems run deeper than a quick fix. Our organization requires several folders from our mapped network drives be set to "Always Available Offline". Create your account and connect with a world of communities. There could be several reasons for your Outlook disconnect.
Verify Work Offline Button Status
And thus, an Offline Storage Table (OST) file is created to save a local synchronized copy of mailbox items. When the mail server is not available due to maintenance tasks or other issues, Outlook may fail to connect to the server and display the status as Disconnected. This indicates that the internet is working fine, but Outlook cannot connect to the mailbox server. If your system connects to more than one Office 365 environment, Outlook might not know which Exchange server to use. That often sets off Autodiscover conflicts and lands you in offline mode. To keep Outlook from slipping into offline mode again, sort out account conflicts and keep your software up to date.
Method 1: Reset 'Work Offline' to Reconnect
If Outlook can’t get to the mail server, no amount of tweaking inside Outlook will help. Try opening a browser or running a quick ping test to check if your network’s up. Outlook needs Microsoft Exchange and Office 365 to stay connected. If Outlook can’t log in to those services, it just flips into offline mode. When Microsoft Outlook says "Working Offline," it’s basically struggling to talk to your mail server. This can happen for all sorts of reasons—maybe it’s a local profile problem, a conflict with Microsoft Exchange, or an Office 365 environment.
Autodiscover might send Outlook to the wrong Exchange server, so you can’t get to your mailbox. Damaged Outlook data files, like the OST file, can also get in the way. When these files go bad, Outlook can’t talk to the Exchange server, so it just gives up and goes offline. Now, on your keyboard, press the Send/Receive button. Old versions of Outlook or Microsoft Office often trigger synchronization issues.
Setup Exchange Server Account Manually
Additionally, it will sync every piece of server-based mail. As is known, we can switch from Offline to Online Mode and vice versa in Microsoft Outlook 2010 and later versions. Once Outlook is configured with an Exchange account, the Cached Exchange Mode is enabled automatically.
Essential Troubleshooting Steps for Reconnecting Outlook
Sometimes a VPN or firewall blocks Outlook, so try turning those off for a minute to see if it helps. Hybrid setups—where you’ve got both on-premises Exchange servers and Office 365—can run into DNS or Autodiscover problems. If your external DNS doesn’t match the internal setup, Outlook can lose track of where it’s supposed to connect. Outdated software often brings compatibility headaches that break your connection. Further, the drive status for any drive which has a file/folder set to be available offline is stuck on "Offline". Even after following the above process, Troubleshoot Office 365 Sync and Login Issues if the issue of offline still present, and OST corruption might be the actual cause.