After trawling found this solution helped with Microsoft Outlook problem, far from ideal but fast realising the pitfalls of Microsoft Office
I am using Outlook 2013 connected to Exchange Server, which is the typical setup for corporate users of Outlook. Individuals normally use POP or IMAP to get their email.
Outlook should automatically setup a link to Exchange Server whenever the computer is connected to the Internet. This means you can open Outlook on a portable computer and just leave it running on the assumption that it will send/receive mail whenever possible. When there’s no connection, Outlook will work offline (using the copy of mail etc stored on your computer) and attempt to reconnect from time to time.THIS IS PERFECTLY NORMAL OPERATING, ANNOYING BUT NORMAL!!!!! There should be no need to manually switch from online to offline mode – Outlook should do that for you.
That’s the theory and normally it works fine. However sometimes Outlook gets ‘stuck’ and can’t reconnect with the Exchange Server.
Assuming the link to your office is working (we’ll get to that in a moment BT) then all you have to do is force Outlook to work offline then resume online connection. That should be enough to shake Outlook out of its problem and reconnect to the office.
In Outlook 2013/2010 go to the Send/Receive tab and click on ‘Work Offline’, wait until the status bar changes from ‘Trying to connect’ to ‘Working offline’. Then click ‘Work Offline’ a second time, Outlook should then try to connect and, hopefully, succeed after a few seconds.
For Outlook 2007 and earlier versions click on the status bar where it says ‘Trying to Connect’ and choose ‘Work Offline’ from there.
Restarting your computer also works but it takes a lot more time than simply changing Outlook’s connection state.
All that is assuming the link to your office is working BT where are you with this?
You should be able to test that by using online office APP - ‘Outlook Web Access’ (OWA) which is a way to view your mail, calendar etc via a web browser. If you’ve been given a web link to check your email then try that if Outlook can’t connect. The chances are that if you can’t connect using both Outlook and OWA that the Exchange Server isn’t working.
Note: going to BT company home page means little because that site is operated entirely separately from the email/Exchange Server system Microsoft, my menisis who sold me this disfunctional office 2013. (will post my rant abot this later), however they will try to offer a sympathetic mugged view, and you will eventually (sent around the houses ending in Scotland tech office someone to ring Microsoft and tell them the exchange server has a fault and apply 5LB Club hammer!!! (get new bit made in china(can't knock china really I quite like lenovo) it does get fixed but thats what you get when you allow outsourcing to Microsoft is'nt it BT!
The details of how to connect Outlook to Exchange Server depend on your organization and the version of Outlook/Exchange Server. Some companies add more security (like a VPN link) to the usual arrangement. Check with your network admin.
