Problem with account configuration can also prevent connection status shows disconnected Outlook from connecting to the mail server, resulting in Offline Mode. Check your Access work or school settings in Windows and remove any accounts you don’t actually use. That way, Outlook won’t try to log in to the wrong domain. If Outlook says Working Offline and won’t budge, you’re probably dealing with a network glitch, a bad setting, or a profile error. Tackling these one by one usually gets things back on track.

Check OST file

• Just having a simple update routine and checking build numbers from time to time can save a lot of trouble.
• And thus, an Offline Storage Table (OST) file is created to save a local synchronized copy of mailbox items.
• 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 you keep everything updated, you cut down on the chances of file corruption.

When offline, the status is displayed in the status how to fix Outlook not opening today 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?

If you have to keep multiple accounts on one device, set up separate Outlook profiles for each one. Each profile should only connect to its own Office 365 tenant. This helps avoid cross-environment prompts that mess with your connection.

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

The Work Offline option is selected on Outlook's Send/Receive tab. First, check to see if the Connected status is displayed or not. If it is not displayed, double-check your internet connection and re-examine it. To resolve the Outlook stuck offline working issue, click "Work offline" to reset and reconnect the Exchange server.





We have explained all the essential methods to fix the Outlook stuck in offline mode error. If the issue is not resolved manually, we recommend using the suggested software to recover Outlook files and continue using Outlook without any interruptions. If these manual approaches do not work then it may happen due to damaged Outlook files.

Setup Exchange Server Account Manually

Jamie Kaler, a technical writer at MailsWare, combines her Computer Science background with a passion for simplifying complex technical topics. She's dedicated to offering valuable insights and solutions in email data management, including migration, recovery, and client management. Jamie's commitment to making technology user-friendly is evident in her work, making her a valuable resource for readers in these domains. You can download the software on Windows Desktop or Laptop.



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, recreate Outlook profile step by step if the issue of offline still present, and OST corruption might be the actual cause.