Outlook Address Autofill Not Working - (FIX IT!)

If you are an Outlook user, you have probably experienced the frustration of the autocomplete feature not working correctly.

This feature is designed to save time and make it easier to compose emails by suggesting email addresses as you type.

However, when it’s not working correctly, it can lead to delays and mistakes.

There are several reasons why the autocomplete feature may not be working as it should.

It could be due to a corrupted autocomplete cache, an outdated version of Outlook, or a problem with your email account settings.

Whatever the cause, it’s important to address the issue promptly to avoid further problems.

In this article, we will explore some common reasons why the Outlook autocomplete feature may not be working correctly and provide solutions to help you fix the problem.

Whether you are a new Outlook user or a seasoned pro, our tips and tricks will help you get the most out of this essential feature and improve your email workflow.

Whenever you type the initials of your recipient email address, the related list of addresses automatically appears all you have to select & press Enter or Tab key on your keyboard to complete it.

What is Outlook Autocomplete?

Outlook Autocomplete is a feature in Microsoft Outlook that helps users save time by suggesting email addresses as they type.

It works by automatically generating a list of frequently used email addresses, also known as the nickname cache.

This list contains SMTP addresses, LegacyExchangeDN entries, and display names for people to whom you have sent mail previously.

The Autocomplete feature is designed to make it easier for users to send emails without having to remember the exact email address of the recipient.

This feature is especially useful for users who frequently send emails to the same group of people or who have a large number of contacts in their address book.

Autocomplete is a built-in feature of Outlook and is enabled by default.

However, there are instances where the Autocomplete feature may not work correctly. In such cases, it is important to troubleshoot the issue to ensure that the feature works as intended.

To ensure that Autocomplete works correctly, it is important to keep your Outlook contacts up-to-date.

This means that you should regularly update your contact list to ensure that the Autocomplete feature has access to the latest email addresses and contact information.

In summary, Outlook Autocomplete is a useful feature that helps users save time by suggesting email addresses as they type.

However, it is important to keep your contact list up-to-date to ensure that the feature works correctly.

Common Reasons for Autocomplete Not Working

When using Outlook, the autocomplete feature can be an incredibly useful tool for quickly and efficiently composing emails.

However, there are several reasons why autocomplete may not be working as expected. In this section, we will explore some of the most common reasons for autocomplete not working in Outlook.

One of the most common reasons for autocompleting not working is due to the feature being disabled.

This can occur if the autocomplete feature has been turned off in Outlook settings.

To check if this is the case, navigate to the File menu, select Options, and then click on the Mail tab.

From here, ensure that the “Use Auto-Complete List to suggest names when typing in the To, Cc, and Bcc lines” option is selected.

Another potential reason for autocomplete not working is a corrupted cache.

This can occur if the autocomplete cache becomes damaged or corrupted, preventing Outlook from being able to suggest email addresses.

To resolve this issue, try clearing the autocomplete cache by deleting the RoamCache folder. This folder can typically be found in the AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook directory.

If you have recently imported contacts into Outlook, it is possible that the autocomplete list has not yet been updated to reflect these changes.

In this case, try manually adding the new contacts to the autocomplete list by composing a new email and typing in the email address.

Outlook should then prompt you to add the address to the autocomplete list.

It is also possible that autocomplete is not working due to issues with your Exchange Server account.

If you are using a Microsoft Exchange Server account, ensure that you have cached exchange mode enabled.

This can be done by navigating to the File menu, selecting Account Settings, and then selecting your Microsoft Exchange Server account.

From here, ensure that the “Use Cached Exchange Mode” option is selected.

Finally, it is possible that an add-in or plugin is interfering with the autocomplete feature in Outlook.

Try disabling any add-ins or plugins that you have installed and see if this resolves the issue.

Additionally, if you are using Outlook 2016 or earlier, ensure that you have a “.nk2” file saved in your Outlook directory.

By considering these common reasons for autocomplete not working, you can quickly and easily troubleshoot any issues you may be experiencing with this feature in Outlook.

How to Troubleshoot Autocomplete Issues

If you are experiencing issues with Outlook’s autocomplete feature, there are several troubleshooting steps you can take to resolve the issue.

In this section, we will walk you through these steps to help you get your autocomplete feature working again.

Step 1: Check Autocomplete Settings

The first step in troubleshooting autocomplete issues is to check your settings. To do this, go to

File Tab is available on the left top corner of the screen.
Options from the left navigation section.
Mail and scroll down to the Send Messages section.
Make sure the “Use Auto-Complete List to suggest names when typing in the To, Cc, and Bcc lines” option is checked.

Step 2: Repair Outlook Data File

If your autocomplete issue persists, the next step is to repair your Outlook data file.

This can be done by going to File >> Account Settings >> Account Settings >> Data Files and selecting the data file you want to repair.

Click on the “Repair” button and follow the prompts.

Step 3: Try Safe Mode

If repairing your data file doesn’t work, try starting Outlook in Safe Mode.

This will disable any add-ins that may be causing issues with your autocomplete feature.

To start Outlook in Safe Mode, hold down the Ctrl key while clicking on the Outlook icon.

Step 4: Clear Autocomplete Cache

If Safe Mode doesn’t work, try clearing your autocomplete cache.

To do this, go to File >> Options >> Mail and click on the “Empty Auto-Complete List” button. This will clear your entire autocomplete cache.

Step 5: Delete the Roam Cache Folder

If clearing your autocomplete cache doesn’t work, try deleting the RoamCache folder.

This folder contains your autocomplete cache and deleting it can sometimes fix issues with the feature. The folder is located in the following directory: %appdata%\Microsoft\Outlook.

Step 6: Import Autocomplete List

If you have a backup of your autocomplete list, you can try importing it to see if it resolves your issue.

To do this, go to File >> Options >> Mail and click on the “Import from File” button. Select your backup file and follow the prompts.

Step 7: Check Add-ins

If none of the above step’s work, check your add-ins. Some add-ins can interfere with the autocomplete feature. Go to File > Options > Add-ins and disable any add-ins that are not necessary.

Step 8: Check Exchange Server Account Settings

If you are using an Exchange Server account, check your account settings. Go to File >> Account Settings >> Account Settings and select your Exchange Server account. Make sure the “Use Cached Exchange Mode” option is checked.

Step 9: Copy the Autocomplete List

If you have a working autocomplete list on another computer, you can try copying it to your current computer.

To do this, use a tool like NK2Edit to copy the list and paste it into the correct directory on your current computer.

Step 10: Contact Microsoft Support

If none of the above step’s work, contact Microsoft Support for further assistance. They may be able to help you resolve your issue.

By following these steps, you should be able to troubleshoot and resolve any issues you are experiencing with Outlook’s autocomplete feature.

How to Delete an Email Address from Outlook Autofill?

Outlook autocomplete list always keep an eye on every email id you type in the address bar and keep it in this record or save it in the autofill.

Sometimes autofill interferes with your work, Let’s understand for example, how to remove individual entries.

How to Clear the Whole Auto-Complete Cache

It is clear that the two Email address is almost similar and saved twice due to a minor mistake while typing, you can click the delete (X) icon next to the suggestion to permanently remove the Auto-Complete entry.

If you like to delete the whole list, follow a few steps:

Step 1 – Open Microsoft Outlook >> Click File >> Options
Step 2 – Click Mail on the left-hand options >> Find out Send messages >> Click Empty autocomplete list

You must give final confirmation to Outlook by clicking OK.

The Auto-Complete cache will be completely erased.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we understand how frustrating it can be when the autocomplete feature in Outlook stops working.

We hope that the information we provided in this article has helped you troubleshoot and fix the issue.

Remember that the autocomplete feature relies on the Autocomplete list, which is stored locally on your computer.

So, it’s essential to keep it up to date and maintain it regularly.

We recommend that you enable the Autocomplete feature if it’s not already enabled and clear the Autocomplete list if you’re experiencing issues.

Additionally, you can copy the Autocomplete list to a new computer or remove entries one at a time if you need to.

If you’re still experiencing issues, you can try repairing your Outlook installation or contacting Microsoft support for further assistance.

Remember to keep your Outlook updated to ensure that you have the latest bug fixes and security patches.

We hope that this article has been helpful in resolving your Outlook autocomplete issues. If you have any other questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to us.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is Autocomplete not working in Outlook 365?

If you are experiencing issues with autocomplete not working in Outlook 365, there are a few things you can try.

First, make sure that autocomplete is enabled in your Outlook settings.

If it is enabled and still not working, try clearing your cache and restarting Outlook. If the issue persists, try repairing your Outlook installation or reinstalling the software.

Outlook 2016 autocomplete not working?

If you are using Outlook 2016 and autocomplete is not working, try the same steps as outlined above for Outlook 365.

Additionally, make sure that your Outlook version is up to date and that you have the latest updates installed.

How to fix Outlook autocomplete?

To fix Outlook autocomplete, try the following steps:

Make sure autocomplete is enabled in your Outlook settings.
Clear your cache and restart Outlook.
Repair or reinstall Outlook.
Ensure that your Outlook version is up to date and that you have the latest updates installed.

Outlook’s auto-complete list not showing all addresses?

If your Outlook auto-complete list is not showing all addresses, try the following steps:

Check that autocomplete is enabled in your Outlook settings.
Clear your cache and restart Outlook.
Repair or reinstall Outlook.
Make sure that your Outlook version is up to date and that you have the latest updates installed.
Check that the missing addresses are in your contacts list.

Microsoft Teams autocomplete not working.

If autocomplete is not working in Microsoft Teams, try the following steps:

Clear your cache and restart Teams.
Make sure that your Teams version is up to date and that you have the latest updates installed.
Check that autocomplete is enabled in your Teams settings.

How to reset AutoComplete in Outlook?

To reset AutoComplete in Outlook, follow these steps:

Close Outlook.
Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
Type %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Outlook and press Enter.
Locate the .nk2 file and delete it.
Restart Outlook.

By following these steps, you should be able to fix most issues with Outlook autocomplete not working. If you still experience issues, consider contacting Microsoft support for further assistance.

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