Blog

If you use Microsoft Outlook on Windows 11, you might notice that holidays are not showing up in your calendar. This can be frustrating, especially when you rely on holiday reminders for planning. Fortunately, there are simple ways to fix this issue without much hassle.

In this article, you will learn easy and effective steps to get your Outlook calendar holidays back. Each step is explained clearly so even beginners can follow along. Let’s get started to make your calendar complete again.

Outlook holidays missing usually happens due to settings or syncing problems. Fixing these can quickly bring your holidays back into view. This guide covers everything from the easiest checks to more detailed troubleshooting.

By following these instructions, your calendar will show holidays correctly, helping you stay organized and informed.

Quick Note: Before You Begin

• Make sure you are signed in to the correct Outlook account linked to your calendar.
• Check that your Outlook app or Microsoft 365 is updated to the latest version.
• Verify your Windows 11 date and time settings are accurate, as incorrect settings can affect calendar sync.
• Confirm you are looking at the correct calendar view where holidays should appear.

Step 1: Add Holidays Manually in Outlook

Outlook allows you to add holidays automatically from its built-in list. Sometimes this feature is not enabled by default. Adding holidays manually is the simplest fix.

1. Open Microsoft Outlook on your Windows 11 PC.
2. Click on the File tab in the top left corner.
3. Select Options to open the Outlook Options window.
4. In the left sidebar, click on Calendar.
5. Scroll down to the section labeled Calendar options.
6. Click the button that says Add Holidays….
7. A new window opens with a list of countries. Check the box for your country or the one whose holidays you want to add.
8. Click OK to add the holidays to your calendar.

This step is important because it populates your calendar with recognized holidays based on your selection. If the holidays are still missing, continue to the next step.

Step 2: Check if the Holiday Calendar is Enabled

Sometimes holidays are added but hidden because the holiday calendar is not selected to display.

1. Go to the Outlook Calendar view.
2. On the left pane, under My Calendars, look for an entry named Holidays or similar.
3. If the checkbox next to the holidays calendar is unchecked, click it to enable holiday display.
4. If you don’t see a holidays calendar, it means it might not be added (refer back to Step 1).

Enabling this calendar is crucial because Outlook can display multiple calendars at once, and holidays only appear if their calendar is selected.

Step 3: Clear and Rebuild the Outlook Cache

Outlook stores calendar data in a cache that can sometimes become corrupted, causing display issues.

1. Close Outlook completely.
2. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog.
3. Type %localappdata%MicrosoftOutlook and press Enter.
4. Find the folder called Offline Address Books and delete its contents.
5. Return to Outlook and restart the app. Outlook will rebuild the cache and fetch fresh data.

This helps fix problems caused by outdated or corrupted cache files that prevent holidays from showing.

Step 4: Check Windows 11 Regional Settings

Outlook uses Windows regional settings to determine applicable holidays. Incorrect settings may cause holidays to not appear.

1. Open Settings by pressing Windows Key + I.
2. Click Time & language on the left.
3. Select Language & region.
4. Under Country or region, make sure your correct location is selected.
5. Under Regional format, ensure it matches your country or preferred format.
6. Restart Outlook after adjusting these settings.

Correct regional settings ensure Outlook knows which holidays to display based on your location.

Step 5: Update or Repair Microsoft Office

If the issue persists, your Outlook installation might be outdated or corrupted.

1. Open Settings and go to Apps & features.
2. Find Microsoft Office in the list and select it.
3. Click on Modify.
4. Choose Quick Repair first and follow the prompts.
5. If that doesn’t fix it, repeat the steps and select Online Repair (this takes longer and requires internet).

Repairing Office fixes missing or damaged files that can cause calendar problems.

Alternative Method: Use Outlook Web App (OWA)

If Outlook on your desktop still doesn’t show holidays, try accessing your calendar through the Outlook Web App.

• Go to https://outlook.office.com and sign in with your account.
• Check if holidays appear in the calendar there.
• If holidays show up in OWA but not in the desktop app, the issue is likely with the local Outlook installation or cache.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why are holidays missing after upgrading to Windows 11?

Upgrading can reset some settings or cause Outlook cache issues, which may hide holidays. Following the steps above usually resolves this.

Can I add holidays from multiple countries?

Yes, Outlook allows you to add holidays from different countries by repeating the Add Holidays step and selecting multiple countries.

Will deleting the Outlook cache delete my emails or appointments?

No, clearing the cache only removes temporary offline files. Your emails and appointments remain safe on the server.

My holidays still don’t show after all steps. What should I do?

Try creating a new Outlook profile or reinstalling Office. Sometimes profile corruption can prevent proper calendar display.

Does syncing with mobile devices affect holiday display?

Usually not. Holidays are part of the calendar data synced from the server, but ensure your mobile calendar app is set to display holiday calendars as well.

When Nothing Works

If you have tried every step and holidays still do not appear, consider these final options:

• Create a new Outlook profile: Go to Control Panel > Mail > Show Profiles > Add a new profile and set it up.
• Contact Microsoft Support for personalized assistance: https://support.microsoft.com.
• Check official Outlook and Windows forums for similar issues and solutions shared by other users.

Conclusion

Missing holidays in Outlook on Windows 11 can interrupt your scheduling and planning. Most of the time, this issue is due to settings or cache problems that are easy to fix. By adding holidays manually, ensuring the holiday calendar is enabled, clearing cache, checking regional settings, and repairing Office, you can restore holiday visibility in your calendar.

If these basic steps don’t work, alternate methods like using the Outlook Web App or creating a new profile often help. Remember to keep your software updated and your system settings correct for the best experience. With these solutions, your Outlook calendar will keep you informed about all important holidays once again.