Auto complete email address not working in web Outlook (hotmail)

Question

Auto complete email address not working in web Outlook (hotmail)

Sara 10

Hi team,

For some reason, the auto complete function for populating an email address has stopped working when I want to compose a new email. No suggested email address comes up - not even addresses from my Contact List.

I have a Hotmail account and Chrome as browser (I don't use the Outlook desktop app). On my mobile device, the feature still works (I have the Outlook app).

I have cleared my browser cache, logged in/out from various browsers, restarted my computer, but the issue remains.

Is this a glitch on Microsoft's end, or how do I fix this?

Many thanks,

Sara

Lizi van Vollenhoven 0 Reputation points

2025-10-06T12:33:27.7833333+00:00

Exactly the same problem. here! But I didn't have an extension that I could remove. So my problem isn't solved yet.
Lhea Barrett 0 Reputation points

2025-10-07T20:41:10.69+00:00

I got the same problems and followed the same above....nothing fixed it, even on another pc doing same thing? HELLPPPPP
Deb 0 Reputation points

2025-10-10T16:31:44.1833333+00:00

I'm having the exact issue. Started last week. It's very frustrating.

I have 2 different accounts that use outlook. The auto populate works on 1 but not the other.

Both on the same browser. I prefer using the web version but with recent changes it's becoming unusable. I've not been a fan of outlook for years, but have been forced to use it at work in the last few months.

I was starting to get used to it and actually getting comfortable with it and then....features stop working. Not a fan.

I also don't have the suggest names and auto complete section on mine.
Dave Anker 10 Reputation points

2025-10-10T20:23:42.0466667+00:00

I tried the fixes provided by April but none fixed the issue.

A day or so later, the problem was gone.

Also at the same time, the "Run rule now" of the email rules was greyed out.

That was also fixed a few days later.
Lhea Barrett 0 Reputation points

2025-10-10T20:26:33.01+00:00

Same here., Stopped auto infilling then a few days later worked ok and still is....looks like it Microsoft's end that's causing us all issues randomly...!!!!
Chris and John Bustard 5 Reputation points

2025-11-22T00:47:19.2633333+00:00

11/21/2025: Yesterday the autocomplete of email address worked fine on two different computers using outlook.com, the on-line version. Today it does not work on either. I have read the suggestions above and none work. I use Chrome, but verified it does not work for Edge either. I also verified that the contact list is still there for both computers. How do I get this fixed?

1 answer

Your answer

Lizi van Vollenhoven 0 Reputation points

2025-10-06T12:33:27.7833333+00:00

Exactly the same problem. here! But I didn't have an extension that I could remove. So my problem isn't solved yet.
Lhea Barrett 0 Reputation points

2025-10-07T20:41:10.69+00:00

I got the same problems and followed the same above....nothing fixed it, even on another pc doing same thing? HELLPPPPP
Deb 0 Reputation points

2025-10-10T16:31:44.1833333+00:00

I'm having the exact issue. Started last week. It's very frustrating.

I have 2 different accounts that use outlook. The auto populate works on 1 but not the other.

Both on the same browser. I prefer using the web version but with recent changes it's becoming unusable. I've not been a fan of outlook for years, but have been forced to use it at work in the last few months.

I was starting to get used to it and actually getting comfortable with it and then....features stop working. Not a fan.

I also don't have the suggest names and auto complete section on mine.
Dave Anker 10 Reputation points

2025-10-10T20:23:42.0466667+00:00

I tried the fixes provided by April but none fixed the issue.

A day or so later, the problem was gone.

Also at the same time, the "Run rule now" of the email rules was greyed out.

That was also fixed a few days later.
Lhea Barrett 0 Reputation points

2025-10-10T20:26:33.01+00:00

Same here., Stopped auto infilling then a few days later worked ok and still is....looks like it Microsoft's end that's causing us all issues randomly...!!!!
Chris and John Bustard 5 Reputation points

2025-11-22T00:47:19.2633333+00:00

11/21/2025: Yesterday the autocomplete of email address worked fine on two different computers using outlook.com, the on-line version. Today it does not work on either. I have read the suggestions above and none work. I use Chrome, but verified it does not work for Edge either. I also verified that the contact list is still there for both computers. How do I get this fixed?

Answer 1

April Pascual 4,260 Independent Advisor

Hi Sara,

This is April, I'll be happy to assist you. Sorry to hear that you're having issue with Outlook mail. Let me help you out.

Based on the description you provided, autocomplete for email addresses isn't working in Outlook.com on Chrome, though it still works on mobile. Cache cleared, browsers tested but the issue persists.

When you start typing an email address in the 'To' field, do you see any dropdown at all like a blank suggestion box or is there no response whatsoever?

From your description, the problem seems limited to the web version of Outlook (Outlook.com) in Chrome, while the mobile app works fine. Because autocomplete depends on cached data and contact syncing, here are few steps you can try and check:

Verify Autocomplete Settings
- Open Outlook.com in Chrome
- Select the gear icon in the top-right > View all Outlook settings
- Go to Mail > Compose and reply
- Scroll down and confirm that both "Suggest names to mention" and "Use auto-complete list to suggest names when typing in the To, Cc, and Bcc lines" are turned on.
Check Contact Sync
- Open the People section in Outlook.com - outlook.live.com/people
- Ensure your contacts are showing and properly synced
- If they're missing, try re-importing them or syncing again from your mobile app.
Test in Incognito or Another Profile
- Launch Chrome in Incognito Mode and sign in to Outlook.com
- If autocomplete works there, the issue may be tied to your current browser profile or an extension.
Temporarily Disable Extensions
- Certain Chrome extensions (like ad blockers or privacy tools) can interfere with Outlook's functionality.
- Disable extensions such as Ghostery, uBlock Origin or Privacy Badger, then reload Outlook to test.

I hope this helps. If you need further assistance please don’t hesitate to contact us again. We’re here to help, and we appreciate your continued trust in us.

Warm Regards,

April P.

Independent Advisor

Dave Anker 10 Reputation points

2025-10-02T22:19:08.3733333+00:00

Same problem here. Tried fixes above and none worked. Example: There is no "Suggest names to mention" and "Use auto-complete list to suggest names when typing in the To, Cc, and Bcc lines" in settings>mail>compose and reply. Tried the others and nothing worked. Getting a 401 when I hit the server for the contacts but only when composing an email. Contacts are available under people.
Sara 10 Reputation points

2025-10-03T17:01:05.47+00:00

Hi April,

Thank you for your swift reply. The issue persisted this morning and I had this long reply all written up, and suddenly the auto-complete works again (after deleting my Adobe Acrobat extension??)!

The first point (Verify Autocomplete Settings) couldn't be completed because the "Scroll down and confirm that both "Suggest names to mention" and "Use auto-complete list to suggest names when typing in the To, Cc, and Bcc lines" are turned on." doesn't exist in said location. See screenshot:

I have checked all mail and general settings and cannot locate the function.

I checked all contacts - they are there under People.

I did test in Incognito, but the issue remained.

I don't have any ad blocker extensions, but removed Adobe Acrobat as an extension. Maybe this fixed the issue??!
Sara 10 Reputation points

2025-11-05T18:11:34.34+00:00

Hi April,

The problem has recurred - including Hotmail/Outlook on my mobile device. I can see that others are experiencing the same issue. Could you please give us a solution to this problem? It makes it impossible to use your product.

Thanks,
Sara
Ashley Wollack 0 Reputation points

2025-12-11T19:53:51.3066667+00:00

I've tried all four steps. For step 1, I do not have "suggest names to mention" as a setting under compose and reply. Perhaps my organization has removed it. Please note, other emails come up as suggestions still, just not one within my organization that I frequently forward to. For step 2, they're in my contacts and everything is synced. For step 3, it does not work in incognito, either. For step 4, I tired disabling all extension and it still doesn't work. Any other suggestions?

Share via

Auto complete email address not working in web Outlook (hotmail)

1 answer

Your answer