- Check permissions for shared calendars.
- The Outlook Web App often works better for internet-based calendars.
- Disabling the “Shared Calendar Improvements” setting can fix this issue.
Outlook gives you the option to add additional calendars to your workspace. This can aid productivity, help you become more organized, and maintain your work-life balance. If you are working with others on a project, you will likely want the option to view colleagues’ schedules via a group calendar. Similarly, if you have one calendar for work and another for family, keeping them separate while being able to view them side by side can be very useful. Whatever your reasons, this guide covers common issues and fixes for adding multiple calendars in Outlook.
Option 1: “We can’t add the shared calendar.” Error Fix (Outlook Desktop App)
This is the most common error, and the issue can be fixed by disabling the “shared calendar improvements” feature.
Step 1. Open Outlook on your desktop, then click on the File tab in the top-left corner.
Step 2. Click “Account Settings”, then choose “Account Settings” again from the drop-down.
Step 3. In the Email tab, double-click the email account you are trying to use to add the shared calendar.
Step 4. Next, select “More Settings.”
Step 5. Click on the “Advanced” tab.
Step 6. Uncheck the box “Turn on shared calendar improvements.”
Step 7. Click “OK” or “Apply”, exit Outlook, then restart.
Step 8. Try to add the calendar again.
If option one doesn’t work, there are other things to investigate, such as checking permissions for shared calendars. You will need to contact the calendar owner and check if they granted you the correct permissions to access it. You should also double-check that you accepted the sharing invitation, usually by clicking “Accept” in the email they sent you.
If you still cannot add a calendar, you will need to switch to the Outlook Web App. This is especially applicable when adding internet-based calendars, such as those offered by websites for events like sports, concerts, and webinars.
Option 2: Try the Outlook Web App (OWA)
Using the web-based version of the app can often fix the issue. Here’s how to do it.
Step 1. Sign in to Outlook via your web browser.
Step 2. Switch to the “Calendar” view.
Step 3. Click “Add calendar.”
Choose “Add personal calendars” if you are adding another of your own that’s associated with a different email account.
You should also check your internet connection and whether Outlook needs an update. Restarting the app usually fixes simple syncing problems.
