Office 2016 (desktop) - Skype for Business 2016 - Microsoft Community

i have no idea when started, "message" icon greyed out when try initiate im address area (to:, cc:., .bcc, etc.) in outlook message  (it worked , still works intermittently).  it's little thing extremely useful when trying quick answer on specific topic (e.g. in case subject of email thread).

what looks below:

any idea causing or how resolve?  have tried doing "quick repair" uninstall>change>office365 no effect.

happens when outlook not configured account. please configure outlook account. assuming outlook configured, follow following -

try 1 one , and check after each step

1. create new outlook profile rule out corruption in outlook profile. - http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook-help/...

2. repair outlook data files - https://support.office.com/en-us/article/repair...

3. run scanpst.exe. open outlook > press ctrl+shift+esc open task manager > under processes tab, right click on outlook.exe > open file location > location contains scanpst.exe should double clikc run

4. disable anti-virus temporarily.

5. there possibility add-in causing problem. rule out, start outlook in safe mode. hold ctrl key , click on outlook icon. don't leave ctrl key, till asks confirmation safe mode.

6. login windows new profile rule out problem in windows profile.

7. try online repair (takes more 30 mins less 1 hour in general)
https://support.office.com/en-us/article/repair...

Office / Outlook / Windows 10 / Office 2016