Can no longer schedule send when using mail merge

Question

Can no longer schedule send when using mail merge

Tania B 5

HELP! As of this morning, when I choose 'mail merge' from the send options in Outlook (desk top version), I can no long 'schedule send'. This has been working reliably for months for me and I use this functionality on an almost daily basis. They seem to now be mutually exclusive.
anyone else experienced this today? short or long term problem? what are my options moving forward?

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Answer 1

Lucus-V 12,715 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hi Tania B,

If this functionality was working normally until recently and then stopped without any changes on your side, it may be related to a recent Outlook update, particularly since you're using the Microsoft 365 Insider channel.

To help determine whether this is a broader issue or something specific to your environment, could you please confirm:

Are you using Classic Outlook for Windows or New Outlook?
What is your current Outlook version and build number? (File > Office Account > About Outlook)
Does the issue occur with all mail merges or only specific ones?
Have you recently received an Office or Outlook update?

As an initial troubleshooting step, please try launching Outlook in Safe Mode (outlook.exe /safe) and test whether the Schedule Send option becomes available during the mail merge process.

Based on your description, this sounds more like a recent change or regression rather than an intentional configuration change, especially since the feature had been working reliably for months. If other users on the same build can reproduce the behavior, that would further indicate a product-related issue.

We look forward to your update.

Tania B 5 Reputation points

2026-09-12T18:27:44.0766667+00:00

I am using new Outlook (Microsoft Outlook Version: 1.2026.818.100)
I have three Office 365 accounts - same issue in all three. I can do mail merge and schedule send as separate actions, but not in relation to the same email. Once I select mail merge, schedule send is not an option in the send drop down. I have not done an update or changed anything, but perhaps a 'behind the scenes' update or change was done by Microsoft?

In Safe Mode - there is no mail merge option - it looks like it opens the classic version
Lucus-V 12,715 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-09-13T15:55:54.14+00:00

Hi Tania B,

Thank you for the additional details.

Since the issue occurs across all three of your Microsoft 365 accounts and started unexpectedly, it does not appear to be related to a specific account or mailbox configuration.

As a next troubleshooting step, could you switch to Classic Outlook and test whether you're able to use Mail Merge together with Schedule Send/Delayed Delivery there?

The reason I ask is that Mail Merge has traditionally been associated with the Classic Outlook experience, and your Safe Mode test appears to have opened Classic Outlook. Comparing the behavior between New Outlook and Classic Outlook would help determine whether this is specific to New Outlook or part of a broader change.

If the functionality still works in Classic Outlook but not in New Outlook, that would suggest a recent change or regression in New Outlook rather than an issue with your account configuration.

Please let us know what you find.
Elaine Furmage 0 Reputation points

2026-09-13T21:44:18.2366667+00:00

I have used desktop and the outlook website. All the exact same. This isn't good and clearly very much needed by a lot of people.
Lucus-V 12,715 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-09-14T15:26:59.2066667+00:00

Hi Elaine Furmage,

Since you're observing the same behavior across both the Outlook desktop application and Outlook on the web, this may indicate a broader product issue rather than something specific to an individual account or configuration.

At this point, I would recommend contacting Microsoft Support directly so they can investigate your environment and determine whether this is a known issue, a recent service change, or a product regression. If this behavior is affecting multiple users, Support can also help collect the necessary diagnostics and raise the issue to the appropriate engineering team if needed.

Please let us know if you receive any updates from Microsoft Support, as that information may help other users experiencing the same problem.