Outlook AutoComplete Not Working - Troubleshooting & Fixes

Outlook is known for its advanced and user-friendly tools and remains a top choice for personal and professional communication. AutoComplete enhances efficiency by helping users fill in the “To” field using saved email history. However, when this feature fails, users lose access to one of Outlook’s key conveniences, requiring troubleshooting to restore its performance. This guide provides clear insights into the causes behind Outlook AutoComplete/Autofill not working issues and offers practical steps to fix them.

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What does the “Outlook AutoComplete Not Working” issue mean?

The “AutoComplete Not Working” issue in Outlook appears when the application fails to suggest previously used email addresses while composing a message. Typically, as you begin typing in the ‘To,’ ‘Bcc,’ & ‘Cc’ fields, Outlook should have a drop-down list of familiar contacts. When this feature stops working, users must search for or type full email addresses manually, causing extra effort and wasted time.

AutoComplete not working in Outlook: Why?

Various factors can cause the Outlook AutoComplete function to stop operating correctly.

AutoComplete option turned off
The cache memory limit was reached
Broken AutoComplete cache
A user profile is damaged
Using an old Outlook version
The roam Cache folder is corrupted
Oversized or corrupted OST file
The mailbox size is too large
Problematic third-party add-ins
Outlook files are broken or missing

Now that the causes are clear, let’s explore how to fix the issue.

How do we fix the “Outlook AutoFill / AutoComplete Not Working” issue?

Below are several manual troubleshooting steps to help resolve the AutoComplete issue in Outlook. Try each one to see which one works for your specific error.

Method 1: Enabling the AutoComplete option in Outlook

Sometimes, users may overlook Outlook’s AutoComplete feature being turned off due to default settings or unintentional modifications. When disabled, Outlook won’t display suggested email addresses while typing. To fix this, make sure the feature is enabled using the following steps:

Open MS Outlook and navigate to the File menu.
Choose Options, then head to the Mail tab.
Locate the Send Messages section by scrolling down.
Check the boxes ‘Use Auto-Complete List to suggest names when typing in the To, Bcc, and Cc lines’.
Click on Empty Auto-Complete List, then confirm by choosing Yes.
Hit OK to apply the changes.
At last, compose and send a new email to see if the issue is resolved.

Method 2: Regenerate the Outlook AutoComplete List Again

If enabling the AutoComplete feature doesn’t fix the issue, the problem might lie within the AutoComplete list itself. It could be overloaded or contain redundant data, causing it to malfunction. Deleting the existing list and generating a new one using the steps below may help.

Open Outlook and go to the File tab.
Select Options from the menu.
Under Mail, scroll to find the Send Messages settings.
Select Empty AutoComplete List to delete the current suggestions.
Confirm and press OK to apply changes.
Begin sending emails again to regenerate the AutoComplete list.
This process can help fix the AutoComplete address issue in Outlook.

Method 3: Create a New Outlook Profile

Since a faulty Outlook profile can lead to AutoComplete issues, creating a new one may fix the problem. Below are the steps to guide you through the process:

First, close Outlook and open the Control Panel.
Navigate to User Accounts, select Mail, and click Show Profiles, followed by Add.
Provide a name for your New Profile, set up your email, and confirm by clicking OK.
Complete the account setup by following the instructions and selecting Next, then Finish.
After setup, set the new profile as default or choose ‘Prompt for a profile to be used.’
Press OK and close the Mail dialog box.

Method 4: Upgrade Outlook to its Latest Version

If AutoComplete isn’t working in Outlook, it could be due to an outdated version—updating to the latest release may help resolve the issue. Follow these steps to proceed:

Launch Outlook and navigate to the File section.
Select Office Account from the sidebar.
Click Update Now to begin checking for and installing updates.
Once the Update is complete, Restart your computer.
Lastly, try updating Windows as well. Once the updates are installed, reboot your system and verify whether the issue persists.

Method 5: Generate a New RoamCache

Fixing the AutoComplete problem in Outlook may require generating the RoamCache folder. It can be done by deleting or remaining on its default path. Here’s the process to do it:

Start Outlook and go to the File menu.
Navigate to Account Settings > Account Settings…
Highlight your email account and click on Change.
Head over to More Settings, then click on the Advanced tab.
Uncheck the Use Cached Exchange Mode option and click Next.
Use Windows + R, type %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Outlook, and press Enter.
Right-click on the RoamCache folder and choose Rename.
Relaunch Outlook; a fresh RoamCache folder will be created.
Wait a few moments, then try composing a new email to check if AutoComplete works.

Method 6: Disable Conflicting Third-Party Add-ins

Users often install third-party add-ins to improve Outlook’s functionality. However, these extensions may clash with Outlook features if they aren’t fully compatible with the current version. Therefore, it’s essential to identify and turn off any problematic add-ins.

Launch Outlook in Safe Mode by pressing Windows + R, typing Outlook.exe /safe, and hitting Enter.
Once Outlook opens, go to File > Options > Add-ins.
Click the Go button next to COM Add-ins.
Uncheck all add-ins listed, then click OK to disable them.
Close Outlook and reopen it in Normal mode.
If Outlook functions properly, enable the add-ins individually to identify the problematic ones.
After identifying the faulty add-ins, remove them to resolve the issue permanently.

Method 7: Rebuild the OST Data File for Outlook

A common cause of Outlook issues is a corrupt or oversized .ost file. When the OST is damaged, features like AutoComplete may stop functioning correctly. Rebuilding the OST file is often an effective solution to restore standard functionality.

Firstly, close MS Outlook before proceeding.
Open the Control Panel by pressing Enter after typing it in the Windows search or Run dialog.
Navigate to User Accounts, then select Mail.
In the Mail Setup window, choose Data Files and select your Outlook account.
Select the account and Copy the path of the data file shown.
Click on Open File Location to view the OST file in File Explorer.
Rename the OST file by adding a ‘.bak’ extension to the filename—this will serve as a backup.
Launch Outlook A new OST file will be generated and synchronized with your mail server.
After the synchronization is complete, the AutoComplete feature should work normally again.

Drawbacks of These Manual Methods:

It may not fix the issue if the underlying cause is data corruption or profile issues.
Deletes all saved addresses, which can be inconvenient for users relying on previous suggestions.
It is time-consuming and may lead to losing local settings and preferences.
Requires internet access and may introduce new bugs or compatibility issues.
Temporary fix: the issue may reappear if root causes remain unresolved.
Identifying conflicting add-ins takes time and can hurt productivity if you disable essential ones.
Risk of data loss if unsynced changes exist; requires re-synchronization, which may take time.

When Outlook fails to recreate an OST file due to Exchange server crashes or profile corruption, the best approach is to convert the OST to PST format. Tools like Shoviv OST to PST Converter offer a reliable solution to recover data from inaccessible or orphaned OST files. This method restores emails, contacts, and other items and enables seamless conversion to PST and export to Microsoft 365 and Live Exchange. Its user-friendly interface and powerful features ensure quick and efficient recovery without data loss, making it a preferred professional solution.

Wrapping up:

Outlook’s AutoComplete is a valuable feature that streamlines email communication, but issues can disrupt workflow. Addressing common causes like cache issues, outdated software, or profile errors if they stop working can help restore functionality. In cases where OST file corruption is involved, using a professional OST to PST Converter like Shoviv ensures complete data recovery. You can resolve the issue efficiently and enjoy a smooth Outlook experience by applying the proper troubleshooting steps.

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Himanshu Pandey

Himanshu Pandey is a passionate web content writer with having a copywriting certificate from open Sap and a graduation degree in Psychology. He is associated with Shoviv Software for the last three years. Being a tech geek, he has commendable command over Emailing and all its dimensions, and he loves to share it with readers. Blending professional language with a friendly tone is the best part of his writing style.

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