Tutorial: How to Quickly Shift Outlook from Offline to Online

Updated On - October 23, 2024 by Armaan | Reading Time: 6 minutes

Summary: MS Outlook provides you the option to switch from offline mode to online mode in a hassle free manner. Here we will discuss the easy ways to execute this. We will also include a professional solution for making this process much easier.

Introduction
MS Outlook is one of the best email clients that allows the users to manage their data in the best possible way. They can sort their information easily and there would be no difficulty in managing all the information easily. Users have the option to work offline or online depending on their convenience. One can work offline when MS Outlook is configured with IMAP, Outlook.com and Microsoft Exchange Server. They can switch to an online mode as and when they want. But many times the users end up working offline despite changing settings to work online. In such a situation, there is a need to switch to an online mode. Let us first figure out some common reasons for working offline and then discuss the methods to easily switch from offline mode to online mode.

Reasons for working offline or getting disconnected

Here are some of the common reasons due to which users tend to get disconnected from MS Outlook very often.

• Internet connectivity issues can be a reason for working offline.
• Issue with the email account.
• Accidentally enabling the offline mode.
• Issue with the account configuration.
• Disabled MS Outlook profile.
• Incorrect email credentials
• Corrupt MS Outlook profile.
• Faulty third-party add-ons.

Now that we know the reasons which make us work offline, here are the methods that can help us to work online once again.

Troubleshooting Tips: Switching Outlook from Offline to Online

There are multiple methods that will help us to work in the online mode from offline mode.

Method1: Check the Internet Connectivity

Checking the internet connection is the first thing you need to ensure if you are working offline. If in case, you are unable to send and receive emails then you must check your connection before trying any other method.

Method2: Reset Work Offline Status

1. Open MS Outlook.
2. Go to Send / Receive and click Work Offline to reconnect.

Note

• If the Work Offline button has a shaded background, it means you are not connected to the Internet.
• If Outlook is running, then check the Quick Launch Taskbar; if there is a cross on the Outlook icon, it indicates Outlook is Working Offline.
• Check the status by looking at the status bar (bottom-right of the interface).
• If you are connected, then the status bar displays status as Connected.

Method3: Check for Updates

1. Open Microsoft Office app.
2. Go to File and then go to Account.
3. Under the product information, go to Office Updates. Check for the latest updates and download if there are any.

Method4: Create a new MS Outlook profile

Creating a new MS Outlook profile is also very important to fix this issue. Here are the steps for the same:

1. Go to File. Click on Account Settings. Again click on Account Settings.
2. Select the Profile that you want to remove. Click on Remove.
3. Now, go to File. Click on Add Account. Follow the instructions online. The new profile will get added.

Steps to create a new profile

One would add a new profile in MS Outlook only once it has been created. Here are the steps to create a new MS Outlook profile.

1. Close MS Outlook.
2. Go to Start and click on the Control Panel. Double-click on Mail.
3. Click on Show Profile. A dialog-box appears.
4. Click on Add.
5. Type the name of the new profile. Click on OK.
6. Now, the Add New Account dialog box appears.
7. Select the Server Settings and click on Next.
8. Select the Internet Email option and click on Next.
9. Provide the required information and click on Next.
10. Select Microsoft Exchange or compatible service option and press Next button to set up Microsoft Exchange Profile.
11. Now, provide the required information and click the Next button.
12. Click Finish to close the dialog box.

Method5: Enable Cached Exchange Mode setting

1. Launch MS Outlook.
2. Navigate to File and then go to Account Settings and click Account Settings.
3. Select the Exchange or Office 365 profile and then click Change.
4. Under Offline Settings, click Use Cached Exchange Mode checkbox to enable it.
5. Restart Outlook for changes to take effect.

Method6: Start Outlook in Safe Mode

1. Close MS Outlook.
2. Press Windows+R keys, type exe /safe, and press ‘Enter’. This will launch Outlook in safe mode.
3. Press the Send/Receive button.
4. Check the status bar. It should change from offline to online.

Method7: Set up an Exchange Server Account.

1. Navigate to File and then go to Account Settings and click on Account Setting.
2. Click on your Microsoft Exchange Server account under the Email tab, click on Change.
3. Click the More Settings button.
4. Click the ‘Manually control connection state’ option and then select ‘Connect with network’.
5. Click OK and then click on Next to complete the wizard and close the window.
6. Click the ‘Close’ button to end the process.

Method8: Recreate OST file.

1. Launch MS Outlook.
2. Go to File and then click on Account Settings and then go to Account Settings.
3. Click on Data Files.
4. Select the MS Outlook profile and then go to Open File Location.
5. Copy the OST file to any location on the drive. Close MS Outlook.
6. Delete the previous OST file and then restart MS Outlook.

Method9: Cached Exchange Mode Settings

1. Launch MS Outlook.
2. Go to File. Then go to Info. Go to Account Settings. Click on Account Name and Sync Settings.
3. From the Account Name and Sync Settings window, click on the More Settings button.
4. Now, click on the Advanced tab and mark the check boxes ‘Use Cached Exchange Mode’ and ‘Download shared folders’.
5. Click OK and restart MS Outlook.

An alternative method to fix issue

If any of the methods are not working for you, then it clearly means that your files are damaged. Therefore, with the help of this Regain OST Converter tool, you should be in the position to repair your damaged and corrupt OST files. You can also retrieve encrypted and permanently deleted files with the help of this software. With the help of tools, you would be in a better position to preserve the integrity of your data and retain the structure of your files. It reduces the risk of data loss as well. It is the solution to repair your files in a hassle free manner.

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Conclusion
One can now choose the type of the method which they want to follow. All of these methods are very effective in switching to online mode. We also have an effective professional tool that repairs your corrupt OST files easily without any difficulties. It is a perfect tool for beginners.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ques1. What will happen if I enable cached Exchange mode in Outlook; is it good for offline work?

Ans. Enabling cached Exchange mode in Outlook saves a copy of the Exchange mailbox in your device in which Outlook is configured. Your mailbox copy will be saved in the OST file format that helps to work offline.

Ques2. If I create a new Outlook Profile and keep it in the Online mode; can I stop creating OST files by this and move to online?

Ans. Keeping your Outlook profile in the online mode connects you directly to the Exchange and disabling cached Exchange Mode stops the creation of OST files which is a must for offline working.

Ques3. I tried all the possible workarounds to switch Outlook from working offline to online but failed; now what option do I have?

Ans. If manual workarounds are not working for you then it is indicating that your OST files are corrupt and you need to repair them. Use Regain OST Converter for the same that recovers the corrupt OST files and allows them to save in the Outlook Personal Storage Table.

Ques4. How can I be assured of the fact that this professional tool from Regain will recover my OST files?

Ans. It is an obvious question hence for the same, a free trial version of the software is available to download. Simply install the tool and have a trial. You will have a preview of the OST file items that will ensure the efficiency of the tool.