How to fix emails not updating and keep getting stuck offline in classic Outlook desktop app?

Outlook not updating? It’s frustrating. Here are a few things you can try. Keep in mind some steps are easier than others, but don’t worry, I’ll walk you through it.

Is Outlook working offline?

Outlook sometimes decides to go rogue and disconnect from the internet. It could be that you clicked “Work Offline” by accident.

Check the bottom of your Outlook window. Does it say “Working Offline”? Or maybe there’s a red X on the Outlook icon in the taskbar?

1. Go to the Send/Receive tab and click the Work Offline button to reconnect.
2. If it doesn’t switch to “Connected“, try again. Sometimes it’s stubborn.

Outlook data files corrupted?

I’ve had this happen. It’s like your mail is stuffed in a broken suitcase. Outlook uses special files (PST or OST). When they’re corrupted, things get messy.

Open the Inbox Repair Tool (ScanPST.exe). Run it. This helps fix the broken suitcase.

Wrong account settings?

Maybe your email account settings are off. It’s common, but annoying.

1. Go to File > Account Settings.
2. Pick the account causing trouble. Click Repair.
3. Follow the instructions and restart Outlook.

Note: For Exchange accounts, the repair option won’t work. Call your IT person if that’s the case.

Third-party add-ins messing things up?

Some apps like to sneak into Outlook and mess with the sync process.

1. Go to File > Options > Add-ins.
2. Disable any add-ins that aren’t essential by clicking COM Add-ins and unchecking them.

Cached Exchange Mode issues?

Cached Exchange Mode lets you work offline but can cause hiccups if the cache gets corrupted.

1. Turn off Cached Exchange Mode by navigating to File > Account Settings.
2. Select the problematic account, uncheck “Use Cached Exchange Mode“, and restart Outlook.

Automatic send/receive not working?

Outlook usually syncs emails on its own, but sometimes, it needs a push.

1. Go to the Send/Receive tab and select Define Send/Receive Groups.
2. Set it to check for emails automatically at regular intervals.
3. Make sure your accounts and folders are included.

Manually sync your folders

Sometimes Outlook needs a nudge to update. You can manually force it:

Go to the Send/Receive tab, and hit “Send/Receive All Folders“. It’ll force a sync and hopefully pull in any stuck emails.

Try these steps one by one. Outlook can be tricky, but it’s fixable. Whether it’s the offline mode, corrupted files, or pesky add-ins, these solutions should get your emails flowing again. If one step doesn’t work, move on to the next.