If your BulkSignature email signature is missing its logo, social icons, photo, colors, or links or isn't appearing at all this guide covers every cause and fix, starting with the most common one.
Most common cause: your email is being composed in Plain Text. A plain-text email cannot display logos, photos, social icons, colors, or clickable links, so a branded signature will not render. Switching your compose format to HTML is what lets the full signature appear it is a genuine requirement, not just a workaround.
1. Switch your compose format to HTML
Follow the steps for the version of Outlook you use. If you're not sure which one you have, the fastest fix is to make HTML the default so every new email is covered.
Outlook on the web & new Outlook for Windows
Make HTML the default (recommended):
Click Settings (on the right corner).
Go to Mail → Compose and reply.
Under Message format, set it to HTML (not Plain text).
Click Save.
Or just for the current email: in the compose window, click the ⋯ (More options) in the toolbar above the From/To line, then choose Switch to HTML.
Classic Outlook for Windows
Make HTML the default:
Go to File → Options → Mail.
Under Compose messages, set Compose messages in this format to HTML.
Click OK.
Or just for the current email: in the compose window, open the Format Text tab and click HTML.
Outlook for Mac
Classic Outlook for Mac: in a new message, use the format option under the Options tab, or set the default in Preferences → Composing.
New Outlook for Mac: Microsoft removed the plain-text/HTML toggle, so these users generally already compose in HTML and aren't affected. If a Mac user is affected, have them use Outlook on the web with the steps above.
Confirm it's fixed: open a new email and check that your signature appears with its logo and icons. If it does, you're all set.
2. Other reasons a signature may not show
If your format is already HTML but the signature still doesn't appear correctly, check the following.
The signature isn't assigned to your messages
Outlook on the web:
Click Settings → View all Outlook settings.
Go to Mail → Compose and reply and scroll to Email signature.
Tick Include my signature on new messages I compose and Include my signature on messages I forward or reply to.
Click Save.
Classic Outlook for Windows:
Go to File → Options → Mail and click Signatures.
Under Choose default signature, select your signature for both New messages and Replies/forwards.
Click OK.
Missing only on replies and forwards
Re-open the Signatures menu and make sure the Replies/forwards dropdown isn't set to None.
Broken or missing images
This usually happens when a signature image was linked to a web address that's no longer active. Re-insert the image so it loads reliably.
Missing on mobile
Signatures don't sync across devices. The Outlook mobile app uses its own signature, so add yours manually in the app's settings.
Shared mailboxes
Shared mailboxes don't always apply your default signature automatically. You may need to insert the signature manually each time you send from one.
3. Advanced technical fixes (Windows desktop)
If your settings are correct but the signature still won't appear, try these system-level steps.
Update Outlook: go to File → Office Account → Update Options → Update Now.
Run in Safe Mode to rule out a conflicting add-in: press Windows + R, type
outlook /safe, and press Enter. If the signature works here, re-enable your add-ins one at a time to find the culprit.Repair Office: go to Control Panel → Programs and Features, select your Office installation, click Change, then Repair.
Reset the navigation pane: close Outlook, press Windows + R, type
outlook.exe /resetnavpane, and press Enter.
Quick troubleshooting reference
Symptom | Most likely fix |
Symptom | Most likely fix |
Signature shows as text with no logo, icons, or colors | Switch your compose format to HTML (Section 1) |
No signature appears at all | Confirm the signature is assigned to new and reply/forward messages |
Missing only on replies/forwards | Set the Replies/forwards signature (not None) |
Broken image boxes | Re-insert the signature image |
Missing on phone | Add the signature manually in the Outlook mobile app |
Sending from a shared mailbox | Insert the signature manually per message |
Why HTML matters: a plain-text email fundamentally can't display images, colors, or links. Composing in HTML is the only way to show a fully branded signature — so this is the recommended setting for everyone using BulkSignature.
Related resource
Microsoft's official guide: Change the message format to HTML, Rich Text Format, or plain text in Outlook.