Reasons Why Microsoft Dynamics CRM Outlook Plugin Not Working and How to Fix Them

Dynamics CRM(Customer Relationship Management ) outlook plugin known as Dynamics 365 App for outlook, it is used for sales, marketing, customer services and project service automation. This application is good for managing the email links, meetings and appointments, after sometime you get full information in the context of an email message. This application offers some templates according to your projects. But after some time, customers complained that the application was not working properly, they faced some problems such as sync issues, add-in missing and performance issues. You can find the solution to fix it, don’t worry, I will guide you step-by-step to resolve this problem. First we discuss the Microsoft Dynamics CRM plugin? So, let’s start….

What Is Microsoft Dynamics CRM Outlook Plugin?

Dynamics CRM outlook plugin known as Dynamics 365 App for outlook, integrates CRM (customer relationship management ) functions directly into outlook. It is used for customer data, track emails, backup your contacts and access sales information from within their familiar email interface. This application is used in multiple ways such as.

• Email Tracking: You can track manually email messages and conversations to CRM records to build a complete history, shared across the organization.
• Sync Your Data: You can save the contacts, related information so that you can change any time, your app is always updated.
• Productivity Resources: Use email templates, articles and sales literature all these things are available in Outlook.
• Offline Use: You can access CRM data when offline, with local copies syncing when back online.

Some Reasons Microsoft Dynamics CRM Outlook Plugin Is Not Working

Here we explain some reasons why Microsoft Dynamics CRM Outlook plugin is not working, mentioned below.

Outlook Add-in Disabled or Inactive

One of the most common reasons for the Dynamics CRM Outlook plugin not working is that the add-in is disabled or inactive. To check this, go to File > Options > Add-ins in Outlook. Then you can there an option point, there mention add – in option, look inside there COM add – ins. If they disabled, it is not good because it creates load behavior issues, which means your windows registry controls your add-in loads.

Compatibility Issues with Outlook or Windows

This usually happens when Outlook or Windows is updated but the CRM plugin version is outdated or incompatible. Outlook compatibility issues on windows often from outdated software, conflicting add-in, corrupted profiles and incorrect settings that create compatibility. Missing or incorrect security roles can prevent users from performing CRM actions.

Incorrect User Permissions in Dynamics CRM

Users miss out the permission in Dynamics CRM, that’s why it can’t work in the CRM. They face many problems like they save the data, but not open, edit, write, or delete records. These issues typically result in errors such as “You do not have sufficient privileges”, blank screens, or access denied messages.

Corrupt Installation or Missing Updates

Software / CRM is not installed properly, that creates problems like software not working properly, sometimes time isn’t not open, it opens after some time, but errors keep coming in between. We are missing the CRM latest updates, they create security problems, it damages the system processor and shows the error in the screen.

Authentication or Login Issues

There are some reasons which include the user using the wrong username or password, internet issues and you can skip accounts password or username, but you try again, after some time CRM locks your account. MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication) means high security like password, OTP and fingerprint.

How to Fix Microsoft Dynamics CRM Outlook Plugin Not Working?

Here we provide step-by-step guidence to fix Microsoft Dynamics CRM outlook plugin not working issue, mentioned below.

Enable Dynamics CRM Add-in in Outlook

Step 1: CRM Login

First of all you open your browser, go to the Dynamics CRM URL and log in with your username and password. The dynamic CRM account opens it. The next step is to go to a dynamic CRM setting.

Step 2: Go to Settings

You can open the dynamic CRM application, click the gear icon → Advanced Settings to access the CRM configuration options.You can do this setting, to control the outlook add-in.

Step 3: Open Dynamics 365 App for Outlook

Next step you can see the settings menu, in Settings → Dynamics 365 App for Outlook, select your mailbox/user from the list. It is used for adding the outlook plugin.

Step 4: Add-in enable

If you find your name in the list, Tick ​​the checkbox in front of it, and then click the add app to outlook button. It means you can add a CRM app for outlook.

Step 5: Check The Status

Go to the Status option in the settings to confirm the add-in is enabled. It shows your Add-in successfully enabled.

Step 6: Restart Outlook

Restart your system and open any email. You can see the right side showing the Dynamics CRM icon.

Verify Outlook and CRM Version Compatibility

Verify outlook and CRM version means which one using the outlook version, is it perfect your CRM version.

• Check your Outlook Version: Which one is using like outlook 2016, 2019 and 2021. If you use this one version they support your CRM. Otherwise they create issues.
• Check the CRM Version: They are the CRM version, but if you are using the Dynamics CRM 2016 or 2019 and Dynamics 365 that is perfect, because any CRM version is not compatible with the outlook version.
• Microsoft Support Status: Means CRM version and outlook version are supported by Microsoft, they work properly, but if anyone does not support Microsoft, they create big problems.
• Outlook Bit Version: If outlook 32 bit or 64 bit, that’s good. Because CRM add -in supports specific versions only, if using another one bit version, Add- in can’t be loaded.
• Operating System: Means windows because mostly people use old windows and install the new outlook/CRM version, because of which create issues.
• CRM Outlook Add-in Support: if you install the CRM outlook Add-in supportive version or not. If you install the wrong version, they can’t support you, your data can’t be saved.
• Deployment Type Match: Means which type of CRM, there are two types which are online ( Dynamics 365 online ) and on- premise version are limited and online CRM supports the new outlook version.

Update Or Reinstall The Crm Outlook Client

If you can fill these points which are mentioned in the top, but you have some doubt, don’t worry the next process you can update or reinstall your CRM outlook, you can do this.
Close your outlook.

• Go to control panel and search the programs and features.
• Select the Microsoft Dynamics CRM for outlook.
• Click the uninstall.
• After sometime restart your system, because it clear the old files.
• You can download the latest CRM outlook version.
• Then you install the CRM outlook.
• Complete the installation, you open the outlook, it can show configuration wizard/ CRM loading process.
• Complete the configuration process, and fill it with all the details.

Check CRM Security Roles And Mailbox Settings

The user must have the necessary security roles and privileges to use the Dynamics 365 app for outlook.

• CRM Security Roles: Sign in to Dynamics 365 as a user with the system administrator role.User using custom role it can add all information manually.
• Mailbox Settings: Users can’t allow the server synchronization in incoming or outgoing email and appointments and tasks, they can’t approve the mailbox.
• Email Configuration: Go to system setting , click the email and verify the server side synchronization is enabled.
• Mailbox Approval Process: Go to setting → email configuration → mailboxes. Open the mailbox , click the approve email and click the test & enable mailbox, you get the correct information, they show success.

Clear Outlook Cache And Reset Profile

Clear outlook cache, it is using their outlook work very slow, you can’t see the new email, you can search, but it shows your result properly and it can’t connect properly.

• Close outlook.
• Press the windows +R.
• Type %microsoft/outlook + enter.
• Select .ost files and Delete.

Reset Outlook Profile

You can reset your outlook profile, it can do only your outlook not open, repeat enter your password, and your account showing error. Outlook profile reset steps.

• Open control panel.
• Open Microsoft Outlook mail.
• Click the profiles.
• Create a new profile with your email id + password.
• Click the always use this profile and press the enter/ok.
• Open the outlook, go to the email and it syncs your old emails.

Conclusion

In this blog we are discussing Microsoft Dynamics CRM outlook and how to use it. And we are mentioning its problem and its solution. If you are facing these problems to follow this step which is mentioned in the blog, if you apply these points in the Dynamics CRM outlook it increases your performance, productivity and user experience. I strongly recommend switching to this Dynamics 365 app for outlook, because it is very good and offers better features and long term support.