Outlook 2016 Navigation Panel Disappeared: Troubleshooting Tips

Are you experiencing issues with the navigation panel in Outlook 2016? Specifically, are you unable to adjust the width of the folder pane, even though it's working fine on other machines? This problem can be frustrating and affect your productivity. In this article, we'll explore possible causes and solutions for the Outlook 2016 navigation panel disappeared issue.

The problem first reported was that the folder pane was missing completely. However, in some cases, users only experience issues adjusting the width of the folder pane (left-most pane). When attempting to widen the folder pane by dragging the border, it seems unresponsive or stuck.

One possible solution is to check the View tab>Layout>Folder Pane setting and ensure that it's not set to 'Off'. This was found to be the issue in a similar scenario. By switching this option back to 'Normal' (compact view), users should be able to adjust the width of the folder pane as desired.

Another potential solution is to create a quick access button for the Normal view layout and instruct users to check this box if the problem occurs again. This can help prevent the issue from recurring in the future.

It's also worth noting that the issue may not be related to Office updates, as it was occurring even before an update. However, updating Office may still provide a patch for this bug.

If you're experiencing this issue with your Outlook 2016 navigation panel, try the above solutions and see if they resolve the problem. If not, there may be other factors at play. Reach out to Microsoft support or seek further assistance from online resources to troubleshoot and find a solution that works best for you.

In conclusion, the Outlook 2016 navigation panel disappeared issue can be frustrating but is often resolvable with simple troubleshooting steps. By checking the View tab>Layout>Folder Pane setting and creating a quick access button for Normal view layout, users should be able to adjust the width of the folder pane as desired. If you're still experiencing issues, don't hesitate to seek further assistance from Microsoft support or online resources.