add task greyed out when adding a task in Outlook classic

Hi @Munya Mazhande,

Thank you for reaching out and sharing your experience regarding adding task in classic Outlook. I can totally understand the inconvenience of not able to add new task into your tasks list.

To better understand the issue and provide targeted solutions, could you please share these details:

1. In which module does the issue happen, Tasks module or To Do app?
2. Does the problem also occur in Outlook on the web?
3. A screenshot showing the greyed out control and the Outlook module you are in.

In the meantime, please follow these steps:

1. Clear classic Outlook cache

• Close the Outlook app. 
• Press the Windows + R keys simultaneously to open the Run dialog box. 
• Type the following path into the Run box and press Enter:  %localappdata%\Microsoft\Outlook\RoamCache 

• Click anywhere within the folder, press Ctrl + A to select all files, and then press the Delete key to remove them. Alternatively, you can right-click the selection and choose the Delete option from the context menu. 

• Restart Outlook and try again. 

2. Clear cached credentials

• Open Control Panel > Credential Manager.  
• Select Windows Credentials.  
• Remove all credentials listed for Office by selecting the drop-down arrow next to each one, and select Remove.  

3. Create new Outlook profile

• Press Windows + R key to open the run dialog box, type control, then press Enter to open the Control Panel.   
• Click on Mail.   

• Click on Show Profiles in the Mail Setup.   

• Tap on the Add button to add a new profile. Input the name and click OK.   

• Click on Mail in the control panel and select the Data Files tab.   
• Select the new Outlook profile from the list, then click the Set as Default option.   
• Exit the Control Panel and restart tor PC, then check if the error persists.   

4. Open Outlook in safe mode and troubleshoot add-ins  

• Press Windows + R, enter Outlook/safe into the Run dialog box and click on the OK button. 
• Try to add new task again.

5. Use Outlook on the web

• Please try accessing your mailbox via Outlook on the web at https://outlook.office.com.
• Add your task again.

I hope this information is helpful. Please follow the steps above and let me know if it works for you. If not, we can continue working together to resolve the issue.   

Thank you for your patience and understanding. If you have any questions or need additional assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out so I can continue to support you. If you found the response useful, please consider marking it as accepted, as this may help other community members who are looking for similar guidance.   

I look forward to continuing the conversation.   

If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment". 

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In classic Outlook, tasks can only be created in the Tasks area (or via the To-Do Bar or To Do integration). If the “Add task” option is greyed out, it typically means Outlook is not in a view or location where new tasks can be created directly.

Use one of these supported methods in classic Outlook:

1. Create a task from the Tasks module
   1. On the navigation bar, select Tasks.
   2. Choose New Task, or select New Items > Task, or press Ctrl+Shift+K.
   3. Enter Subject, optional Start date/Due date, Priority, and optionally enable Reminder.
   4. Select Task > Save & Close.
2. Create a task from the To-Do Bar
   1. Make sure the To-Do Bar is visible in classic Outlook.
   2. Drag an email or other Outlook item to the To-Do Bar to create a task.
   3. Edit the task details as needed and save.
3. Create a task using To Do integration
   1. In Outlook where To Do is shown, use the Add a task input field.
   2. Type the task title and press Enter. The task is saved in Tasks and linked to the list being viewed.

If “Add task” is greyed out in another pane (for example, in a view that is not the Tasks view or To Do pane), switch to Tasks on the navigation bar and use one of the supported creation methods above.

References:

• Create and view tasks with To-Do Bar in classic Outlook
• Create tasks with To Do in Outlook
• Assign and track tasks in classic Outlook
• Add or delete notifications or reminders in Outlook