How to fix the issue of Copilot in Outlook .

Question

How to fix the issue of Copilot in Outlook .

Yerne, Omkar 0

Copilot in Outlook is not launching. When I click the Copilot button from the Ribbon, it starts loading and then closes by itself without opening the Copilot window.

2 answers

Your answer

Answer 1

Dear @Yerne, Omkar,

Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft 365 Q&A forum community. I understand that Copilot in the new Outlook is failing to stay open, closing immediately after the loading sequence. This behavior is usually triggered by a synchronization conflict between your Microsoft 365 identity and the cached web data that powers the new Outlook interface.

To resolve this, please follow these specific steps:

Step 1: Reset the App Cache

Since the new Outlook is built on web technologies, clearing the app's local state often fixes "loading and closing" loops.

Close the new Outlook.
Right-click the Start button and select Settings.
Go to Apps > Installed Apps.
Search for Outlook (new).
Click the three dots and select Advanced options.
Scroll down and click Reset. (Note: This clears cached data but will not delete your emails).
Restart Outlook and try the Copilot button again.

Step 2: Ensure Proper License

Verify that your account has a license that supports Microsoft 365 Copilot. If your license was recently assigned, there might be a delay in propagation, so give it some time and check again.

Step 3: Verify Connected Experiences

Copilot requires a constant handshake with Microsoft servers. If privacy settings are too restrictive, the window will crash upon launch.

In the new Outlook, click the Gear icon (Settings) in the top right.
Navigate to General > Privacy and data.
Ensure Enable optional connected experiences is toggled ON.
Restart Outlook for the change to take effect.

Step 4: Re-authenticate your Account

A "stale" login token can cause Copilot to fail its security check.

Click on your profile picture in the top right corner.
Select Sign out.
Close Outlook, reopen it, and Sign in again with your Microsoft 365 business credentials.

Step 5: Check for Service Updates

Ensure your app version is current, as Microsoft frequently pushes "hotfixes" for Copilot stability.

Open the Microsoft Store app.
Click on Library in the bottom left.
Click Get updates to ensure the Outlook (new) component is fully patched.

For further validation on account requirements and troubleshooting, please see: Copilot is Missing, Disabled, or Doesn't Work Correctly - Microsoft 365 Apps | Microsoft Learn

I hope this clarifies the current situation. Please let me know if you have any further questions.

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Sophie N 12,330 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-02-19T23:51:37.7766667+00:00

Dear @Yerne, Omkar,

I hope you’re doing well. I just wanted to check in and see how things are going with the steps I shared earlier. If you ran into any difficulties at any point or if something is unclear, please don’t hesitate to let me know. I completely understand that these processes can sometimes be tricky, and I’m here to make it as easy as possible for you.

Feel free to share any details or questions you might have, I’m ready to listen and assist you further.
Yerne, Omkar 0 Reputation points

2026-02-20T05:39:13.9233333+00:00

Is a license mandatory to use Copilot in Outlook? A few days ago, even without a Copilot license, I was still able to access Copilot from the Ribbon, but now it shuts down automatically before launching.
Sophie N 12,330 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-02-20T05:59:12.14+00:00

Dear @Yerne, Omkar,

Thank you for your question. I understand the confusion, especially since Copilot appeared to work previously without a dedicated license.

To clarify: Yes, a valid Copilot‑supported license is required to actively use Copilot features in Outlook. Copilot in Outlook relies on license validation at launch. If the required license is not detected, Copilot may briefly appear in the Ribbon but will close automatically before opening which matches the behavior you’re seeing.

Copilot is missing, disabled, or doesn't work correctly

Why it worked before: In some cases, Copilot may temporarily appear due to: A recent update or rollout phase, cached license or account state, being signed in with multiple accounts (personal + work/school)

Once license validation refreshes, Copilot shuts down if the license is not present.

What licenses support Copilot in Outlook:

Microsoft 365 Copilot (for work or school accounts), or

Microsoft 365 Personal / Family / Premium plans that include Copilot features

Without one of these, Copilot chat or in‑context Outlook features (drafting, summarizing emails) will not remain active.

What you can do next:

Check which account you are signed into in Outlook (personal vs work/school).

Verify your subscription at https://portal.office.com/

If this is a work or school account, contact your IT administrator to confirm whether a Copilot license is assigned.

I hope this helps explain why the behavior changed. Please let me know if you’d like help checking your license or account setup.
Sophie N 12,330 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-02-23T01:42:33.8633333+00:00

Dear @Yerne, Omkar,

I hope you’re doing well. I just wanted to check in and see how things are going with the steps I shared earlier. If you ran into any difficulties at any point or if something is unclear, please don’t hesitate to let me know. I completely understand that these processes can sometimes be tricky, and I’m here to make it as easy as possible for you.

Feel free to share any details or questions you might have, I’m ready to listen and assist you further.

Answer 2

If Copilot in Outlook is not launching and closes by itself after clicking the button, it could be due to several reasons. Here are some steps to troubleshoot the issue:

Check Licensing: Ensure that you have a license that supports Microsoft 365 Copilot. If you have recently been assigned a new license, it may take some time to propagate.
Account Conflicts: Make sure you are not signed in with both a personal account and a work or school account simultaneously, as this can cause validation issues.
Browser Settings: If you are using Outlook on the web, ensure that pop-ups and cross-site tracking are allowed in your browser settings. This is crucial for the authentication process that Copilot requires.
Internet Connectivity: Verify that your internet connection meets the necessary requirements for Copilot to function correctly.
Update Outlook: Ensure that you are using the latest version of Outlook. Sometimes, updates can resolve issues related to features not working properly.
Privacy Settings: Check your privacy settings to ensure that they are not blocking Copilot from functioning.

If the issue persists after trying these steps, you may want to consult your Microsoft 365 admin for further assistance or check the Microsoft Community for additional support.

References:

Copilot is missing, disabled, or doesn't work correctly

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How to fix the issue of Copilot in Outlook .

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