{"id":81285,"date":"2021-06-09T09:01:33","date_gmt":"2021-06-09T09:01:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.stellarinfo.com\/blog\/?p=81285"},"modified":"2025-04-29T05:07:53","modified_gmt":"2025-04-29T05:07:53","slug":"switch-from-working-offline-to-online-in-outlook","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stellarinfo.com\/blog\/switch-from-working-offline-to-online-in-outlook\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Switch from Working Offline to Working Online in Outlook?"},"content":{"rendered":"
When Microsoft Outlook is configured with Exchange server in Cached Exchange Mode, it creates an Outlook Storage Table file, also known as Offline Outlook data file or OST, to store a synchronized copy of mailbox data. This allows Outlook users to work offline even when the internet is unavailable or slow. Users can continue their work in Outlook and perform tasks, such as reply to urgent emails, move emails or other mail items between the folders, or delete items from folders, without experiencing any issues.<\/p>
As soon as the system connects to the internet, the changes stored in the OST file are automatically synchronized with the server mailbox on the Exchange server so that both copies are the same.<\/p>
Users can also choose to work offline using the ‘Work Offline<\/strong>’ option in Outlook. They can go online anytime they want.<\/p>
In this guide, we’ll discuss the steps to change or switch from working offline to working online in Microsoft Outlook and the methods to fix and reconnect an offline Outlook profile or OST file.<\/p>
Steps to Switch from Work Offline to Work Online<\/strong><\/h2>
When Outlook profile is not connected to the server, the Outlook displays ‘Working Offline’ or ‘Disconnected’ status in the bottom status bar.<\/p>
If you see such status, it indicates that your Outlook profile or OST is not connected or synchronized to the Exchange server. Below we have discussed the steps to switch from working offline to working online in MS Outlook 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, and 2019 versions. Outlook 2003 and earlier versions do not support this feature.<\/p>
Step 1: Check Your Internet Connection<\/strong><\/h3>
When Outlook experiences unreliable or slow internet connection, it goes into Offline Mode. However, users won’t notice this and can work seamlessly.<\/p>
But when Outlook is offline, you can’t send or receive new messages. In such a case, you should first check your internet connection and ensure uninterrupted connectivity.<\/p>
If your internet is working and you still see the ‘Working Offline’ or ‘Disconnected’ indicator in the status bar, follow the next step.<\/p>
Step 2: Switch to Work Online<\/strong><\/h3>
Sometimes, a user may click ‘Work Offline’ accidentally or deliberately, which disconnects the profile from the server. This option is available under the ‘Send\/Receive’ tab in MS Outlook. If the internet is working fine, follow these steps to switch from working offline to working online in Outlook.<\/p>
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In Outlook, click on the Send\/Receive<\/strong> tab and check if the Work Offline <\/strong>button is greyed out.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
If the Work Offline button is shaded or greyed, it means your profile is disconnected from the server.<\/li>\n<\/ul>
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To reconnect, click the ‘Work Offline<\/strong>’ button.<\/li>\n<\/ul>
In case the Work Offline <\/strong>button is not shaded, probably the Cached Exchange Mode setting is off. To enable it, follow these steps:<\/p>
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In Outlook, navigate to File<\/strong> > Account Settings<\/strong> and click Account Settings<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>
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Select the Exchange or Office 365 profile and click Change<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>
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Click the Use Cached Exchange Mode<\/strong> checkbox under Offline Settings <\/strong>to enable it.<\/li>\n<\/ul>
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After this, restart Outlook for changes to take effect.<\/li>\n<\/ul>
After this, check the status bar. It should indicate ‘Working Online<\/strong>’ or ‘Connected to Microsoft Exchange.<\/strong>’ If it is not, you can try creating a new Outlook profile.<\/p>
Step 3: Create New Outlook Profile<\/strong><\/h3>
![\"Work](\"https:\/\/www.stellarinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/work-offline-1.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n![\"Disconnected\"](\"https:\/\/www.stellarinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/disconnected-2.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>![\"Work](\"https:\/\/www.stellarinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/work-offline-button03.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>![\"Account](\"https:\/\/www.stellarinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/account-settings-4.gif\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>![\"Change\"](\"https:\/\/www.stellarinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/change-5.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>![\"Cached](\"https:\/\/www.stellarinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/cached-exchange-mode-6.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>