CoPilot is greyed out in Classic Outlook

Question

CoPilot is greyed out in Classic Outlook

Christy Kofoed 20

I have Microsoft 365 Premium with CoPilot and I have updated and made sure I am signed in correctly, but the CoPilot button is "greyed" out in my classic outlook --how do I get it to not be greyed out? Thank you!!!

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Answer accepted by question author

Hin Vo 445 Independent Advisor

Hi @Christy Kofoed

Could you please verify whether your Classic Outlook has been updated to Version 20026.20182 or later?

Based on my research, this issue may be related to a known issue currently affecting Classic Outlook. Microsoft has documented an issue where Copilot entry points may be missing, unavailable, or appear grayed out after updating Classic Outlook to Build 20026.20182 or higher.

User's image

You can refer more via: Copilot buttons are missing in classic Outlook for Windows

If your Outlook is on one of the affected builds, your issue may be related to this known Microsoft issue currently under investigation. As a temporary workaround, you could consider using New Outlook or Outlook on the Web (OWA).

I hope this helps.

If you have any additional concerns, feel free to comment below. I would be more than happy to assist.

Christy Kofoed 20 Reputation points

2026-08-07T17:21:53.41+00:00

Hi! Yes, I am using the Classic Outlook version 2608 (build 20326.20044) and I did try seeing if I used the new outlook if that would help, and it doesn't! Thank you so much for your help!!
Christy Kofoed 20 Reputation points

2026-08-07T17:50:50.97+00:00

I can't go to the OWA because it wants me to create an outlook alias, and I don't want to do that.....
Hin Vo 445 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-08-07T18:03:59.7766667+00:00

Hi @Christy Kofoed

I completely understand how important this feature is to support your daily work and workflow. Currently, Microsoft has identified a known issue affecting Copilot in Classic Outlook and is actively investigating it. I am hopeful that a fix will be released as soon as possible. Based on Microsoft's documentation, common troubleshooting steps such as creating a new Outlook profile, clearing cache, re-signing into Office applications, or restarting Outlook and Windows have not consistently resolved the issue.

If access to Copilot chat is critical to your work, you may want to consider using Copilot through other supported Microsoft 365 applications as a temporary workaround, as recommended by Microsoft, while they continue to investigate this issue.

As a Community member, I unfortunately do not have visibility into Microsoft's internal investigation process or timeline. However, I will continue to monitor this issue and will be happy to update you if any new information or resolution becomes available regarding this known issue.

Thank you very much for your patience and understanding.

2 additional answers

Your answer

Christy Kofoed 20 Reputation points

2026-08-07T17:21:53.41+00:00

Hi! Yes, I am using the Classic Outlook version 2608 (build 20326.20044) and I did try seeing if I used the new outlook if that would help, and it doesn't! Thank you so much for your help!!
Christy Kofoed 20 Reputation points

2026-08-07T17:50:50.97+00:00

I can't go to the OWA because it wants me to create an outlook alias, and I don't want to do that.....
Hin Vo 445 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-08-07T18:03:59.7766667+00:00

Hi @Christy Kofoed

I completely understand how important this feature is to support your daily work and workflow. Currently, Microsoft has identified a known issue affecting Copilot in Classic Outlook and is actively investigating it. I am hopeful that a fix will be released as soon as possible. Based on Microsoft's documentation, common troubleshooting steps such as creating a new Outlook profile, clearing cache, re-signing into Office applications, or restarting Outlook and Windows have not consistently resolved the issue.

If access to Copilot chat is critical to your work, you may want to consider using Copilot through other supported Microsoft 365 applications as a temporary workaround, as recommended by Microsoft, while they continue to investigate this issue.

As a Community member, I unfortunately do not have visibility into Microsoft's internal investigation process or timeline. However, I will continue to monitor this issue and will be happy to update you if any new information or resolution becomes available regarding this known issue.

Thank you very much for your patience and understanding.

Answer 1

Christy Kofoed 20

Hi! Yes, I am using the Classic Outlook version 2608 (build 20326.20044) and I did try seeing if I used the new outlook if that would help, and it doesn't! Thank you so much for your help!!

Hin Vo 445 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-08-07T17:41:05.43+00:00

Hi @Christy Kofoed
Thank you for the information.

I noticed that your Outlook version is Build 20326.20044, which appears to be a more recent Current Channel (Preview) build released in August.

Reference: Release Notes for Office Current Channel (Preview)

Since this build is later than Build 20026.20182, it may fall within the build range associated with Microsoft's known issue where Copilot entry points in Classic Outlook can be missing, unavailable, or appear grayed out.

However, since you have also tested New Outlook and are experiencing the same behavior, this may indicate that the issue is not limited to the known Classic Outlook issue alone. Could you also test Outlook on the Web (OWA) and let me know whether Copilot is available and functioning there?

Warm thanks.

Answer 2

Christy Kofoed 20

Hi! Yes, I am using the Classic Outlook version 2608 (build 20326.20044) and I did try seeing if I used the new outlook if that would help, and it doesn't! Thank you so much for your help!!

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