Office 365 Exchange will not setup in Outlook 2016
Updated: March 18, 2022
This blog post is old and while it still works for some, I will be updating more on this new blog post Windows 11 and Exchange cannot connect scroll down to the troubleshooting tips.
Here is the latest “reg fix” if your Exchange account is not setting up in Outlook. There are about 50 other things to try but I’ll put this as my top one as it’s fixed a most recent client issue.
The registry key specifically bypasses Modern Authentication as Microsoft is currently doing some work on that feature. So the underlying issue was that Modern Authentication was preventing the password prompt in Outlook from appearing. Once the registry key was added the password prompt appeared and the profile setup was successful.
HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Common\Identity\
Type: REG_DWORD
Value Name: EnableADAL
Value data: 0
Need more fixes? Or have another fix? Email Lisa@callthatgirl.biz and I’ll add to it here!
Desktop Level Troubleshooting
Profile testing
Test on your own computer first, if it connects, it’s probably a local issue with the clients Outlook/computer/network
Add account to current profile while Outlook is open
Add account in the current profile in the control panel mail app while Outlook is closed
Create a test profile in the control panel mail app
Set Outlook to prompt to select profile on launch then click new and try to add the account
Open a blank profile in outlook
Delete Windows Credentials from Credential Manager multiple times
Check the disabled add-ins, be sure there is nothing in there that should be enabled
Delete all profiles and add account (be sure data from IMAP is backed up first!)
Try starting Outlook in Safe Mode and adding the account
FIX for: The Connection to Microsoft Exchange is Unavailable. Outlook must be online or connected to complete this action.
Some folks on the internet are saying to just delete the old profile that is not working and create a new one. This is not a fix that I recommend as an Outlook Expert. Never delete the old profile, just add a new one and open just that one.
Many of my clients have Outlook profiles that will take awhile to get configured the way they like it, so we might as well have you start by doing some easy fixes before you get a new profile.
7 Easy fixes for Outlook Problems:
Reboot the computer first. Many of us never reboot, and while I am just as guilty, a reboot should bring your exchange back to life. Exchange server settings should not change, so a simple reboot fixes offline issues.
Check to see if your server is down. Hello, servers go down! Easy way to check this is to log into your online web access (OWA) and see if mail is sending and receiving just fine. Your phone can also determine this. If you are sending/receiving via the online portal and phone, then your Outlook may be in trouble.
Be sure your internet is working. I know this may seem funny to some, but it is a question I ask my clients. Sometimes your internet is down or you are not connected to wifi.
Check to see if your Outlook works in Safe Mode. If you’re on Windows 7, go to your search and type in “Outlook.exe /safe” or “Outlook.exe /safemode” and you can launch in safe mode. If you can get in via safe mode, try removing add-ons.
Now what else could be causing this? A bad add-on? Yep, your exchange add-on might be off! You can fix this by going into safe mode and checking the box for “exchange add-on”
Remove exchange account from profile/add back in. You can do this without deleting a profile.
Now what if this doesn’t work? Create a test profile. NEVER DELETE A PROFILE!! Just create a new one and test it. Just in case!
Video Learning Series Training by a Microsoft Outlook Expert
Check out this quick video and then read more below
FIX for: The Connection to Microsoft Exchange is Unavailable. Outlook must be online or connected to complete this action.
Some folks are saying on the internet to just delete the old profile that is not working and create a new one….this is not a fix I recommend as an Outlook Expert. First never delete the old profile, just add a new one and open just that one.
Many of my clients have Outlook profiles that will take awhile to get configured the way they like it, so we might as well have you start by doing some easy fixes before you get a new profile.
Easy fixes…
Reboot the computer first. Many of us never reboot and while I am just as guilty, a reboot should bring your exchange back to life. Exchange server settings should not change, so a simple reboot fixes offline issues.
Check to see if your server is down. Hello….servers go down! Easy way to check this is log into your online web access (OWA) and see if mail is sending and receiving just fine. Your phone can also determine this…and if you are sending/receiving via the online portal and phone, then your Outlook may be in trouble.
Be sure your internet is working, I know this may seem funny to some, but it is a question I ask my clients, sometimes your internet is down or you are not connected to wifi.
Check to see if your Outlook works in safe mode. If you’re on Windows 7, go to your search and type in “Outlook.exe /safe” or “Outlook.exe /safemode” and you can launch in safe mode. If you can get in via safe mode, try removing add-ons.
Now what else could be causing this? A bad add-on? Yep, your exchange add-on might be off! You can fix this by going into safe mode and checking the box for “exchange add-on”
Remove exchange account from profile/add back in, you can do this without deleting a profile.
Now what if this doesn’t work? Create a test profile, NEVER DELETE A PROFILE!! Just create a new one and test it. Just in case!
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