Why Outlook Not Showing Online Status Next to Name?

outlook online status not showing next to name

In the world of digital communication, staying connected and informed about your colleagues’ availability is crucial. Microsoft Outlook introduced a feature that displays the online status next to users’ names which can substantially impact how we interact within the digital workspace. Sometimes, Outlook not showing online status next to your name due to various reasons. If you are also facing the same issue then do not worry. In this article, we are going to discuss different ways to fix this issue.

Why is Outlook Not Showing Online Status Next to Name?

There are some reasons behind not working this feature which are given below-

  • One of the most common reasons for online status not appearing is using an outdated Outlook, Microsoft Teams, Skype for the business version.
  • If the presence information is turned off then Outlook does not show online status.
  • If the integration problems with Microsoft Teams or Skype for business then the online status might not show in Outlook.
  • A poor internet connection can also disrupt the connection between Outlook and the presence information provided by Microsoft Teams.

How to Fix Microsoft Outlook Not Showing Online Status Issue?

There are some effective ways to resolve this issue which are given here-

1. Check Display Online Status Next to Name Option: First of all, we ensure that the Display Online Status Next to Nmae option is enabled or not. To check it-

  • Go to the File tab and click on Options.
  • After that click on People and check online status is enabled.
  • If not then enable it and click OK.
  • Thereafter, restart Outlook and check Outlook shows the online status next to the name.

2. Reconfigure Integration Setup: The online status in Outlook relies on integration with Microsoft Teams or Skype for Business. If these apps are not active then online status cannot be displayed. So, make sure these apps are properly configured or logged in.

3. Update Software and Add-Ins: Ensure that Outlook, Microsoft Teams, Skype, and related add-ins are updated to the latest version and there are no pending updates. To check it-

  • Open Outlook and go to File tab.
  • Click on Office Accounts and hit on Update Now.

Where check there are no pending updates, if yes then update them to resolve Outlook not showing online status next to name.

4. Check the Licensing and Subscription Status: Verify the licensing and subscription status associated with Microsoft account to ensure that the online status is not impacted by licensing limitations.

5. Contact Microsoft Customer Team: If none of the above solutions do not work to fix the issue of displaying online status next to name greyed out in Outlook then contact Microsoft customer support for further assistance.

Conclusion

The online status feature in Outlook is an important tool for enhancing communication and collaboration. If this feature does not work, then it is difficult to determine the availability of colleagues. In this post, we have discussed why Outlook not showing online status next to name and how to fix this issue.