The reminder on my outlook calander is not working

Question

When I try to set a reminder of my outlook 2021 calendar I get "The reminder for "x" will not appear because the time is in a folder that doesn't support reminders" Please note that until few weeks ago it worked fine. In fact I get reminders from appointments I put in before it broke.

---

Moved from Microsoft 365 and Office | Other

Answer 1

Hi Charles Gross

Since /cleanreminders and /resetfolders did not resolve the issue, and reminders still work for older appointments, this often indicates that Outlook may no longer be treating the calendar folder used for new items as a reminders‑capable Calendar folder, or that the Outlook profile or data file has become corrupted.

Please try the following steps in order:

1). Check the calendar folder type

Right‑click the calendar where new appointments are being created > Properties > General tab. Confirm that Folder contains: is set to Calendar Items.

If it is not, reminders will not work for new appointments in that folder.

2). Confirm new items are saved in the default calendar

Make sure new appointments are being created in your primary default calendar, not a secondary calendar, shared calendar, archive, or PST store.

3). Start Outlook in Safe Mode Close Outlook, press Windows + R, then run: outlook.exe /safe

Create a test appointment with a reminder. If it works in Safe Mode, an add‑in is likely interfering with reminders.

4). Create a new Outlook profile and set it as default

Go to Control Panel > Mail > Show Profiles > Add, create a new profile, then select Always use this profile and set the new one as default before testing.

This is often more effective than using Account Settings > Repair for reminder or profile corruption.

Please do not remove the old profile until the new one is confirmed working.

5). If you are using a PST file, repair it with ScanPST.exe

Close Outlook and back up the PST file first, then run the Inbox Repair Tool (ScanPST.exe). It is typically located at: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\SCANPST.EXE

After the repair completes, reopen Outlook and test again.

Because reminders still work for existing appointments, this behavior points more toward a folder, profile, or data‑file issue rather than a general reminder setting.

Please let me know:

• whether the affected calendar is in the default mailbox or a PST,
• what Folder contains shows for that calendar,
• and whether the issue occurs in Safe Mode or with a new default profile.

Please let me know if this proves useful to you, or if you would like further assistance.

I'm looking forward to your reply.

---

If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment”.   

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

Answer 2

This message usually appears when Outlook no longer recognizes the calendar folder as supporting reminders, even if it worked previously. This can happen after an update or if the reminders configuration becomes corrupted.

First, confirm reminders are enabled: Go to File > Options > Advanced and make sure Show reminders is checked, then restart Outlook.

If reminders are enabled, reset the reminders store: Close Outlook, press Windows + R, then run:

outlook.exe /cleanreminders

Let Outlook fully open and test again. If the issue persists, also try:

outlook.exe /resetfolders

Make sure new appointments are being created in your primary Calendar, not a shared calendar or archived PST. Reminders only work in the default calendar.

If your calendar is stored in a PST file, right‑click the PST > Data File Properties and ensure Display reminders and tasks from this folder in the To‑Do Bar is enabled.