Microsoft Finally Fixes Missing Copilot Buttons in Outlook

Microsoft has fixed a bug that caused Copilot Chat and Copilot buttons to disappear from classic Outlook for Windows, leaving some users unable to access AI features.

According to an updated Microsoft support document, the issue affected users with Copilot Chat (Basic) licenses and Microsoft 365 Copilot (Premium) subscriptions.

The problem occurred when Outlook failed to retrieve required account information from a user’s profile. Microsoft initially fixed the bug in June 2026, but subsequent updates caused it to resurface.

What happened to the Copilot buttons in Outlook?

Affected users reported that the Copilot button disappeared from the top-right corner above the Outlook ribbon. Others could no longer find the Copilot icon in the left navigation bar or the More Apps menu.

In some cases, Copilot still appeared under Add Apps, but clicking Open did nothing. Users also reported that the Copilot command appeared grayed out when they attempted to customize the ribbon.

Microsoft has now resolved the underlying issue, although other configuration problems can still prevent Copilot from appearing in classic Outlook.

How to restore missing Copilot buttons in Outlook

Users who still cannot access Copilot can check whether Outlook allows apps to appear in its interface.

1. Open classic Outlook and select File > Options > Advanced.
2. Find the Outlook panes section.
3. Enable Show Apps in Outlook.

If Copilot remains unavailable, Microsoft recommends running its Copilot troubleshooters to identify licensing, update channel, privacy setting, or Microsoft 365 configuration issues.

Users can also switch to new Outlook or Outlook on the web as a workaround. Creating a new Outlook profile may help if the existing profile continues to cause problems.

The fix comes as Microsoft continues adjusting Copilot features across its productivity apps. The company is also removing Copilot Themes from Outlook and plans to remove Copilot Studio from Teams in 2027.

Via BleepingComputer