[Fixed] Why Has My Outlook Inbox View Changed?

If you use Microsoft Outlook as your primary email client, you may have noticed that your inbox view has suddenly changed without your input. This can be frustrating, especially if you’re used to seeing your emails arranged in a particular way. In this article, we’ll explore some possible causes of this issue and provide steps you can take to fix it.

In addition, we will also discuss how to prevent this issue from happening again in the future. If you’re experiencing a changed Outlook inbox view and want to get things back to normal, read on for helpful solutions.

There are several reasons why your inbox view may have changed in Microsoft Outlook. It could be that you accidentally clicked on a setting to change it, your Outlook application may have been corrupted, or your user profile has been corrupted. Regardless of the reason, it is possible to fix this issue.

1️⃣ Check for the Default View

If you’ve accidentally changed your inbox view, you may need to return to its original compact view. This will force Outlook to display your inbox messages in a single line, but you can also change the default to a more compact view.

For a more compact inbox view, change the threshold number to sixty or 80. Changing it to 80 will narrow your Outlook window enough to engage the compact layout.

If Outlook was recently upgraded, check if the new version has a different default view: If you recently upgraded your version of Outlook, the new version may have a different default view for the inbox. In this case, you may need to customise the view settings to match your preferences.

2️⃣ Imported a large amount of data

The view of your Outlook inbox can change if you’ve imported a large amount of data. For example, if you’ve imported more than 12 months’ emails, your Outlook inbox will display older messages by default.

In addition, you can browse through your email faster by turning on the Cached Exchange Mode feature. You can also scroll to the bottom of an email list to find a button that says, ‘Click here to view more on Microsoft Exchange.’ You can also change the view permanently in your account settings.

3️⃣ Email sorting options

Sorting emails is another option that changes the way Outlook looks. To do this, click the arrow on the top of the message list and then specify the criteria in the Arrange by section of the drop-down list. Then, click OK to save your changes. If you change your mind, click the Date option to return to the original sorting.

🔰 Also Read: What is Microsoft Azure Hybrid Cloud?

4️⃣ Disable the “Group by Box” feature

You may have accidentally enabled the “Group by Box” feature. To disable the feature, turn off the “Group by Box” option. Alternatively, you can download Kutools for Outlook, which adds 100 advanced features to Outlook.

These features include automatically forwarding multiple emails, replying to emails without an exchange server, and reminding you to attach any attachments. The app is available on the App Store for free.

5️⃣ Check your Internet Connection

Another reason you may have an issue with your inbox view is a poor or unstable internet connection. This issue can affect the productivity of your business or the efficiency of your corporate relationships. Therefore, it is important to find a solution as soon as possible. Once you’ve identified the cause, you can then start the process of fixing the problem.

6️⃣ Check for the Add-ins or Plugins

You can also check if any add-ins or plugins have been installed or removed recently. If you have installed or removed any add-ins or plugins from Outlook recently, it is possible that this could affect the view of your inbox.

You can check the list of installed add-ins by going to “File” > “Options” > “Add-ins.” From here, you can review the list of installed add-ins and disable any that may be causing issues with the inbox view.

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7️⃣ Issues with Your Email Account

If the issue only affects one email account, there may be an issue with that specific account. In this case, you can try removing and re-adding the account to see if that resolves the issue. To do this, go to “File” > “Account Settings” > “Account Settings,” then select the affected email account and click “Remove.” Then, follow the prompts to re-add the account.

Apart from this, if the mailbox was recently moved to a new server, check if the view settings were changed on the new server: If your mailbox has been moved to a new server, the view settings may have changed as a result. In this case, you may need to check with your IT department or the server administrator to see if the view settings can be adjusted.

8️⃣ Repair or Reinstall Outlook

If the issue persists after trying the above steps, you may need to repair or reinstall Microsoft Outlook. To repair Outlook, go to “Control Panel” > “Programs” > “Programs and Features,” then select Outlook and click “Change.” From here, select “Repair” and follow the prompts to repair the installation. If repairing Outlook doesn’t resolve the issue, you may need to uninstall and reinstall the program.

9️⃣ Check for updates

Using an older version of Outlook could be responsible for the Outlook inbox view change. An update may be available that could fix the issue. To check for updates, go to “File” > “Account” > “Update Options” > “Update Now.” If an update is available, follow the prompts to install it.

🔟 Use Outlook in Safe Mode  

You can use Outlook in Safe Mode or disable add-ins to troubleshoot issues with the program. Here’s how to do it:

1. Use Outlook in Safe Mode: To start Outlook in Safe Mode, follow these steps:

• Close Outlook if it is currently open.
• Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialogue box.
• Type “outlook.exe /safe” (without quotes) and press Enter.
• When prompted, click “Yes” to start Outlook in Safe Mode.

Outlook will start in Safe Mode with only the default add-ins and no other add-ins or plugins. This can help identify if an add-in or plugin is causing problems with Outlook.

Advanced fixes for Outlook Inbox View Changed

1️⃣ Clear Outlook Cache:

Over time, Outlook accumulates cache files that can sometimes cause issues with inbox views. To clear the cache, close Outlook and navigate to the following directory: %localappdata%\Microsoft\Outlook.

Then, delete the contents of the “RoamCache” folder. Restart Outlook and it will rebuild the cache files, potentially resolving any view-related issues.

2️⃣ Adjust Windows Display Settings:

In some cases, issues with Outlook inbox views can be related to Windows display settings. To troubleshoot this, right-click on your desktop and select “Display settings.” Adjust the scaling and layout settings to ensure they are compatible with Outlook. Restart your computer and check if the issue persists in Outlook.

3️⃣ Run Outlook in Compatibility Mode:

If you’re using a newer version of Outlook on an older version of Windows, running Outlook in compatibility mode may resolve compatibility issues that affect inbox views. Right-click on the Outlook shortcut, select “Properties,” go to the “Compatibility” tab, and check the “Run this program in compatibility mode for” option. Choose the appropriate Windows version from the dropdown menu and click “Apply.”

4️⃣ Check for Corrupted Data Files:

Corrupted Outlook data files (PST or OST) can lead to issues with inbox views. To check for and repair corrupted data files, open Outlook and go to “File” > “Account Settings” > “Data Files.” Select the data file associated with your email account and click “Settings” > “Advanced.” Then, click “Outlook Data File Settings” > “Compact Now” to repair the file.

5️⃣ Disable Hardware Acceleration:

Hardware acceleration can sometimes cause display issues in Outlook. To disable it, open Outlook and go to “File” > “Options” > “Advanced.” Scroll down to the “Display” section and uncheck the box next to “Disable hardware graphics acceleration.” Restart Outlook for the changes to take effect.

After trying these options, if you still experience an Outlook inbox view change, then try the following fixes.

6️⃣ Reset Outlook Profile:

If none of the above fixes work, resetting your Outlook profile can often resolve stubborn issues with inbox views. Close Outlook and open the Control Panel. Go to “Mail” > “Show Profiles” and select your Outlook profile. Click “Remove” to delete the profile, then recreate it by opening Outlook again. Follow the prompts to set up your email account.

7️⃣ Monitor Event Viewer for Errors:

Use Windows Event Viewer to monitor for any errors related to Outlook. Open Event Viewer by typing “Event Viewer” in the Windows search bar. Navigate to “Windows Logs” > “Application” and look for any errors or warnings related to Outlook. Addressing these errors can help resolve underlying issues affecting inbox views.

8️⃣ Scan for Malware and Viruses:

Malware or viruses on your computer can interfere with Outlook’s functionality, including inbox views. Run a comprehensive scan of your computer using reputable antivirus software to detect and remove any malicious programs. Once cleaned, restart Outlook and check if the issue persists.

9️⃣ Create a New Windows User Profile:

If the issue persists even after trying all the above fixes, creating a new Windows user profile can help isolate and resolve any underlying system issues affecting Outlook. Create a new user profile in Windows and log in with the new profile. Set up Outlook again and check if the issue persists.

🔟 Seek Professional Assistance:

If none of the advanced fixes mentioned above resolve the issue with Outlook inbox views, it may be time to seek assistance from a professional IT support technician or Microsoft support. They can provide tailored assistance and troubleshooting steps to address the specific issues you’re encountering.

Conclusion

To conclude, if you experience your Outlook inbox view has changed unexpectedly, there are a few possible causes and steps you can take to try and fix the issue.

If you’ve tried all of the above steps and are still experiencing issues with your Outlook inbox view, seeking assistance from a technical support team or IT department may be necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions [FAQ]