Why does created contact list display no members in new Outlook

If your created contact list displays no members in the new Outlook, it could be due to a few reasons related to how Outlook handles contact lists and folders. Here are some potential fixes:

1. Check Folder Permissions: Ensure that you have the necessary permissions to view the contact list. Sometimes, permissions can restrict visibility.
2. Verify Contact List Location: Make sure that the contact list is located in the correct folder. If you have multiple folders with similar names, your contacts might be in a different folder.
3. Update Outlook: Ensure that your Outlook application is up to date. Sometimes, bugs in older versions can cause issues with displaying contacts.
4. Repair Outlook: If the issue persists, consider repairing your Outlook installation. This can fix any corruption or issues with the application.
5. Check Autodiscover Settings: If you're using Exchange, issues with Autodiscover settings can also lead to problems in accessing contact lists. You can check the Autodiscover connectivity using the Microsoft remote connectivity analyzer.

If none of these solutions work, you might want to consider creating a new contact list and seeing if it displays correctly.

References:

• The address list cannot be displayed error when you try to view the contacts of a public folder in Outlook
• Contacts folder empty and contacts are in a different folder in Outlook for Microsoft 365

Dear j zd,

Thank you for posting your question to the Microsoft Q&A forum.

I understand your frustration when setting up a brand-new HP computer only to find basic features like Contact Lists not working as expected.

The reason this is happening is that "New Outlook" handles contacts very differently than the Classic version. In New Outlook, contact lists live in the cloud. Crucially, if you are using a non-Microsoft email account (like Gmail, Yahoo, Comcast, or BT), Contact Lists are currently not supported or often appear empty because the "IMAP" technology used for those accounts cannot sync these group lists.

Here are the two ways to fix this:

Solution 1: Save as Standalone contact first (Workaround)

If you want to keep using New Outlook, kindly ensure the members exist as "Contacts" before adding them to a list.

1. Go to the People (Contacts) tab on the left.
2. Ensure every person you want in the group is saved as a Standalone Contact first.
3. Delete the broken empty list you currently have.
4. Create a New Contact List.
5. Type the Names of the saved contacts to add them.
6. Click Save and check if they remain.

Solution 2: Switch back to "Classic Outlook"

Since you are on a new HP desktop, you likely have the full "Classic Outlook" installed, but Windows defaulted you to the free "New Outlook" app. The Classic version handles Contact Lists perfectly, regardless of what email provider you use.

1. Look at the top right corner of your Outlook window.
2. Find the toggle switch that says "New Outlook".
3. Turn this switch OFF.
4. The app will restart and open the Classic version (the one you are likely used to), where your distribution lists will work normally.

I hope this helps explain what may have transpired. Should you have any further questions or need help finding the toggle, please feel free to reach out.

If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

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