Out of office reply not sending when you're away
Out of office only works when Outlook is open or you're synced with Microsoft 365. It won't send if your computer is turned off. Check that out of office is actually enabled in your settings, the dates are correct, and your Outlook is signed in. If it's on and you're signed in, wait a few hours. The first reply sometimes takes time.
Your out of office reply only works if Outlook is running and connected. If your computer is off, or you're using an older version of Outlook that isn't connected to Microsoft 365, your automatic reply won't send. The most common issue is that out of office looks enabled in your settings but isn't actually turned on, or the start date hasn't arrived yet.
- ✓Check that out of office is turned on in Outlook. Look in the Home tab
- ✓Check that the start date and time haven't been set for the future
- ✓Check that your Outlook is signed in with your work email address
- ✓Check that your computer isn't set to shut down or go to sleep while you're away
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Skip, I just want a technicianCommon mistakes to avoid
- Turning on out of office in Outlook on the web when you use Outlook on your computer. You need to set it in the same place you use
- Setting the start date for the future and assuming it's on. It won't send until that date arrives
- Shutting down your computer before leaving. Outlook closes and can't send replies if it's not running
Signs you need professional help
- If out of office is on and the dates are correct but people still aren't getting replies after 24 hours, you've tried signing in and signing out and out of office still won't turn on, or you're seeing an error message when you try to turn on out of office, get in touch and we'll sort it out.
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