Outlook Web App (OWA) Can't Revert from Light Version

Question

Outlook Web App (OWA) Can't Revert from Light Version

Lawrence, Rachel 0

My Outlook Web App online was set to the light version and I'm unable to revert it back. I click on Options, but when I try to click on "Outlook version" in the navigation menu, nothing happens and the URL just adds a '#' to the end of it.

Lawrence, Rachel 0 Reputation points

2026-08-04T19:13:39.0533333+00:00

Thanks Ryan. I followed the steps but it didn't change anything. I haven't been able to actually switch back to the standard version. After I click Options I am brought to the Message Options page. When I try to click Outlook version in the navigation menu, nothing happens. It doesn't open the page for me to change the Outlook version. Only some buttons are redirecting me when using the light version.
Ryan-N 14,590 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-08-04T19:29:45.6666667+00:00

Hi Lawrence,

Thank you for your response.

Based on the information I found, being stuck on the Light version can sometimes be caused by using an outdated browser version.

Could you please try signing in using a different browser (or update your current browser to the latest version) and check whether the issue still occurs?

I look forward to hearing back from you.
Lawrence, Rachel 0 Reputation points

2026-08-04T19:46:14.92+00:00

@Ryan-N My Microsoft Edge is up to date and I've also tried on Chrome and Firefox but still having the same issue.
Ryan-N 14,590 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-08-04T20:32:53.2233333+00:00

Hi Lawrence,

Thank you for your response.

If you have already cleared your browser cache and also tried using a different browser but are still experiencing the same issue, I would recommend creating a support ticket with Microsoft Technical Support for further investigation.

In this case, Microsoft can help determine whether the issue is caused by the user interface (UI) or by a policy that may be in place and preventing the switch between the two versions.

You can refer to the document below for instructions on how to create a ticket with Microsoft Technical Support:

Get support - Microsoft 365 admin | Microsoft Learn

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please feel free to share them in the comments on this post so I can continue to support you.

I look forward to continuing the conversation.
Cody Waters 0 Reputation points

2026-08-09T09:25:01.38+00:00

To clarify @Ryan-N

This is absolutely not caused by using an outdated browser version. It's actually the opposite; the OWA light client needs a program called "Silverlight" with a required version of 2.0.31005.0 to properly operate (or Internet Explorer mode). Simply put, the any MODERN browser is not capable of communicating with the ANCIENT architecture of how OWA Light Client operates. Simply not compatible (unless in IE mode).

A different browser or updating your current browser to the latest version will not help anything with this problem in particular but is still good practice.

Fun fact: note that this specific version of Silverlight that OWA Light Client is calling for was released in 2008. At the current, Microsoft is due to discontinue light mode altogether later this month I believe.

3 answers

Your answer

Lawrence, Rachel 0 Reputation points

2026-08-04T19:13:39.0533333+00:00

Thanks Ryan. I followed the steps but it didn't change anything. I haven't been able to actually switch back to the standard version. After I click Options I am brought to the Message Options page. When I try to click Outlook version in the navigation menu, nothing happens. It doesn't open the page for me to change the Outlook version. Only some buttons are redirecting me when using the light version.
Ryan-N 14,590 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-08-04T19:29:45.6666667+00:00

Hi Lawrence,

Thank you for your response.

Based on the information I found, being stuck on the Light version can sometimes be caused by using an outdated browser version.

Could you please try signing in using a different browser (or update your current browser to the latest version) and check whether the issue still occurs?

I look forward to hearing back from you.
Lawrence, Rachel 0 Reputation points

2026-08-04T19:46:14.92+00:00

@Ryan-N My Microsoft Edge is up to date and I've also tried on Chrome and Firefox but still having the same issue.
Ryan-N 14,590 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-08-04T20:32:53.2233333+00:00

Hi Lawrence,

Thank you for your response.

If you have already cleared your browser cache and also tried using a different browser but are still experiencing the same issue, I would recommend creating a support ticket with Microsoft Technical Support for further investigation.

In this case, Microsoft can help determine whether the issue is caused by the user interface (UI) or by a policy that may be in place and preventing the switch between the two versions.

You can refer to the document below for instructions on how to create a ticket with Microsoft Technical Support:

Get support - Microsoft 365 admin | Microsoft Learn

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please feel free to share them in the comments on this post so I can continue to support you.

I look forward to continuing the conversation.
Cody Waters 0 Reputation points

2026-08-09T09:25:01.38+00:00

To clarify @Ryan-N

This is absolutely not caused by using an outdated browser version. It's actually the opposite; the OWA light client needs a program called "Silverlight" with a required version of 2.0.31005.0 to properly operate (or Internet Explorer mode). Simply put, the any MODERN browser is not capable of communicating with the ANCIENT architecture of how OWA Light Client operates. Simply not compatible (unless in IE mode).

A different browser or updating your current browser to the latest version will not help anything with this problem in particular but is still good practice.

Fun fact: note that this specific version of Silverlight that OWA Light Client is calling for was released in 2008. At the current, Microsoft is due to discontinue light mode altogether later this month I believe.

Answer 1

Cody Waters 0

Hello Rachel.

My Outlook Web App online was also set to the light version seemingly by osmosis. I was also unable to change it back until now. The URL also appended a '#' when I clicked on anything.

My solution: in Microsoft Edge:

click Settings
then the Default browser tab
change "Allow sites to be reloaded in Internet Explorer mode" to Allow.
click Restart
add the URL of which you use at the sign-in page to "IE mode pages", for example, ONLY "webmail.agency.com"

It was honestly pretty cool navigating around with light mode fully operational for a minute before I switched back out of light mode to the modern interface. It took me back some years!!

Please let me know if this works for you.

Lawrence, Rachel 0 Reputation points

2026-08-10T15:05:28.05+00:00

@Cody Waters Hi Cody, unfortunately it did not work for me.. It just goes to a blank white screen now. It might have something to do with my company's security? Not sure. But thanks for the suggestion.

Answer 2

Pintoo Yadav 0

Hello Lawrence,

Please try accessing Outlook Web App using an updated Edge or Chrome browser in an InPrivate window.
Clear browser cache and cookies, then sign back in.
If the issue persists and clicking Options → Outlook Version only appends a # to the URL, please provide a screenshot and confirm whether the behavior occurs across multiple browsers.

If reproducible across browsers, we may need to investigate the mailbox settings on the Exchange side.

BR,
Pintoo

Lawrence, Rachel 0 Reputation points

2026-08-04T20:02:58.6533333+00:00

@Pintoo Yadav

Behavior is the same across browsers.

Answer 3

Hi Lawrence,

Welcome to the Microsoft Q&A forum.

Based on your description, you have already configured Outlook to switch back to the standard version; however, Outlook is still displaying the Light Version interface. Please try the following steps:

Sign out of Outlook and sign back in Please log out of your Outlook account and then sign in again.
Clear your browser cache Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete, then select Clear now.
Open Outlook in an InPrivate/Incognito window Please try opening Outlook in a private browsing window and check whether the issue still occurs.

I hope this information is helpful. Please follow these steps and let me know if it works for you. If not, we can work together to resolve this.

Thank you for your patience and your understanding. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please feel free to share them in the comments on this post so I can continue to support you.

I look forward to continuing the conversation.

If the answer is helpful, please click "Yes".

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