Microsoft Fixes Missing Copilot Button in Classic Outlook for Windows

Microsoft has fixed a known issue that caused the Copilot chat feature and Copilot button to disappear from the classic Outlook desktop client for some Windows users.

According to updated Microsoft support documentation, users with a Copilot Chat (Basic) license or a Microsoft 365 Copilot (Premium) account should no longer lose access to the Copilot button above the navigation pane and ribbon.

Copilot buttons disappeared from classic Outlook

Affected users reported one or more of the following problems:

• The Copilot button was missing from the top-right area above the ribbon.
• The Copilot icon disappeared from the left app bar or other areas of classic Outlook.
• Copilot appeared as an available app, but nothing happened when users selected Open.
• Copilot commands added through ribbon customization were unavailable or grayed out.

Copilot remained available through other entry points, including Outlook on the web and the standalone Microsoft Copilot app and web experience.

Microsoft says the Outlook Copilot issue is fixed

Microsoft first announced in June that it had fixed the problem through service changes. However, the company began investigating it again last month after the issue returned in a recent update.

Microsoft has now said the classic Outlook problem has been resolved. The company attributed the issue to a bug that prevented Outlook from retrieving certain account information from a user’s Outlook profile.

“We fixed an issue in classic Outlook that could cause the Copilot entry point to disappear from the navigation pane if the required account information could not be retrieved from the user’s Outlook profile. The Copilot button could disappear for a variety of reasons, including licensing, Microsoft 365 Apps configuration, update channels, privacy settings, and other environmental factors.”

The statement was added to the original Microsoft support document.

How to troubleshoot a missing Copilot button

Microsoft says the missing Copilot button can have multiple root causes. Users who continue to experience the problem should follow the company’s Copilot troubleshooting guidance and instructions on finding and enabling the missing Copilot button in Microsoft 365 apps.

Temporary workaround for affected Outlook users

Microsoft also shared a workaround for users who continue to be affected. In classic Outlook, open File > Options > Advanced, then find the Outlook panes section and enable Show apps in Outlook.

Users can also switch to the new Outlook email client or Outlook Web Access (OWA). Creating a new Outlook profile is another option and is not affected by this particular bug.

Earlier this year, Microsoft also resolved another known issue that prevented some classic Outlook users from sending email through Outlook.com or using the classic Outlook client after enabling the Microsoft Teams Meetings add-in.

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