Outlook 2013 is stuck in Offline mode and refusing to go online

Question

_{Monday, August 19, 2013 1:10 PM}

I need some help to solve this problem, I've tried everything to get it to go online but it won't.

Clicking on on the ribbon is not working, clicking on Send/Receive is not working, clicking the Work Offline button to de-activate it, is not working.

Ipconfig /flushdns didn't help, I cannot find a "cache" mode setting in Mail in Control Panel. I am just using a POP account.

I know how to switch back and forth from online and offline.  The problem is that it does not work; I am stuck in offline mode.

Any ideas? Thanks for any help.

Edward Gonsalves

All replies (12)

_{Wednesday, August 21, 2013 6:14 AM ✅Answered | 4 votes}

Hi,

According to your description, there are several reasons may cause this issue:

1. Lync was overriding Outlook.

In this case, please close down Lync, ensuring it was not running in background (in Task Manager making sure that the communicator file wasn't running), then restart Outlook and check the result. If problem solved, you can restart Lync without problem.

2. Just check if you have set your IE to work offline. (On the IE Menu Bar > click File > uncheck Work offline )

3. The OST file might be corrupted.

Please follow the steps below and check the result:

a. Exit Outlook.

You'll need to check in the Task Manager to make sure that Outlook is closed. (To open Task Manger: Right click on the Windows Task Bar and choose "Start Task Manager")

b. Find OST file and rename it.

OST file could be found here:

• In Windows 7 or Windows 8:

C:\Users\username%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook

• In Windows XP :

C:\Documents and Settings\username%\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook

c. Open Microsoft Outlook.

If Outlook is running in Offline mode then Go to Send/ Receive button and click Work Offline. It will change to online mode. New OST file will be created and issue will be hopefully resolved.

Hope this helps.

Best Regards

Steve Fan
TechNet Community Support

_{Saturday, August 24, 2013 3:42 PM}

I think the OST file was the problem, it's working now.

Thanks a lot.

Edward Gonsalves

_{Thursday, April 10, 2014 2:19 AM}

I have the same problem (offline) but can not find the OST file for the sake of me. Any ideas?

_{Thursday, April 10, 2014 4:12 AM}

It might be that you have explorer set to, Don't show hidden files folders and drives.

Try changing that in the Folder Options and do another search.

Edward Gonsalves

_{Wednesday, June 4, 2014 6:09 PM}

Hi,

 I am having the same issue. My Outlook 2013 has stuck with offline for few days now, and I am not able to get it to connect.

I have tried 1 (closing Lync) and 2 (IE is not working offline), and for 3, if I renamed the OST file, I got an error opening Outlook:

Cannot start Microsoft Outlook. Cannot open the Outlook window. The set of folders cannot be opened. The attempt to log on to Microsoft Exchange has failed.

My Office365 webmail is working.

Please advise.

Thanks.

_{Wednesday, September 17, 2014 3:38 AM}

Having the same problem.

Used ScanPST to fix OST files.

Know how to use online/offline button, but it is STUCK on offline

Link is not running.

Any other ideas short of deleating profile and creating a new one?

_{Thursday, October 1, 2015 4:43 PM}

Hi,

 I had the same pb with Outlook 2016. It was Skype for Entreprise fault. I shut it down properly, then restart Outlook and get it online!!

Thanks

_{Wednesday, March 9, 2016 1:10 PM}

One of our user is experiencing the same issue. Renamed and re-created the OST file, still drops the connection and shows offline. Skype\Lync is not running, same results. Can you elaborate on "shut it down properly".

Thanks,

_{Thursday, August 18, 2016 4:29 PM | 1 vote}

I am also having the same difficulty with Outlook 2013.  I tried these suggestions, but didn't have an .ost file, but rather a .pst.  I am using Windows 10.  I have been unable to research any solution.

Help!

_{Monday, September 12, 2016 5:05 PM}

I am also having the same difficulty with Outlook 2013.  I tried these suggestions, but didn't have an .ost file, but rather a .pst.  I am using Windows 10.  I have been unable to research any solution.

Help!

Same problem. No solution yet

_{Thursday, August 9, 2018 1:43 PM}

Me Too!! Have not found a solution. Have also lost all my email history -  permanently deleted by mistake.

_{Wednesday, February 19, 2020 12:24 AM}

I followed your suggestions, but it did not work. Clicking on "work Offline" is not effective