Picture5Help, my email isn't working!

Have you ever found yourself working in Outlook with a suspicion that email is not synchronizing properly?  Usually, you realize that the email messages you have been composing are not leaving your outbox, and you haven’t been receiving any email messages either.  If this is true, it’s possible that Outlook has gone offline.

Why does Outlook go offline?

It typically happens when the Outlook software loses its connection with the email server.  This may happen because of a weak or lost a wireless connection, a PC falling asleep, or just a random hiccup out in the cloud.

How do I know if being offline in Outlook is my problem?

The easiest way to check is by looking at the status bar in the bottom right corner of the main Outlook window.

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OK, I’m offline – how do I fix it?

It’s actually very easy.  In the main Outlook window, click the Send/Receive tab to make it active.  Located in the far right of the menu, you will see a “Work Offline” icon.  This icon can be toggled on and off by repeatedly clicking.  When the icon has a solid color, Outlook is currently offline.

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