Windows Live Mail stuck in offline mode / won't go online

From time to time my Windows Live Mail will get itself confused and prompts me with:

 "You are currently working offline. Would you like to go online now?"

No matter how many times I manically and repeatedly click "Yes" the prompt just keeps reloading. Disconnecting from the internet and restarting the PC has no effect.

Thankfully there is a solution, and it's found within Internet Explorer (no really!). It seems that Windows Live Mail takes its on/offline status from IE. So, to resolve this issue you need to:

1. Open Internet Explorer and press ALT-F to open the File menu.
2. Towards the bottom of the menu, there is Work Offline which you need to untick.

Do this and the go back to Windows Live Mail. This time, when you get the "shall I go online prompt" - click Yes and it works. Hopefully this is useful for you (if so, leave a comment!). I found this solution courtesy of the Windows Live forums


Lurking in the internet industry background since the late nineties and occasionally venturing out for an event or two. Get in touch via the email address on the "my complete profile" link below or via Twitter @geoffblog

Comments

Anonymous said…
Thank you, thank you, thank you. I had to tick it then untick it but it worked. Today happens to be end of summer time but for some reason Microsoft Answers isn't available and the only other comments I read suggested going back to a restore point which is like using a sledgehammer. Thanks again.
27 October, 2013 07:21
Unknown said…
mint,it worked i was pulling my hair out x
17 November, 2013 15:44
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