In this article, we will see how to fix the “Unable to connect to the service at this time” error while in Copilot. Microsoft Copilot is an AI assistant in Windows 11 that helps users complete multiple tasks on their systems.
We’re sorry but we’re unable to connect to the service at this time. Please try again later or refresh.
Fix Copilot unable to connect to the service at this time error
If the error “Unable to connect to the service at this time” occurs in Copilot, you cannot use it until you fix this error. You can use the following suggestions to fix this error:
- Refresh Copilot
- Check your location in Bing
- Clear cache and cookies in Edge
- Disable the extensions
- Use VPN
- Reset Microsoft Edge
Let’s see all these fixes in detail.
1] Refresh Copilot
The error message tells you to refresh Copilot. Hence, we suggest you refresh Copilot before trying any of the fixes explained in this article.
The Refresh button is at the top of Copilot. Alternatively, you can refresh Copilot by clicking on the three dots at the top right side of It and then selecting the Refresh option.
2] Check your location in Bing
I experienced this error while using Copilot. Strangely, when I checked my location in Bing, it was set to some other country. Maybe Copiot was not available in that country. However, when I searched for information regarding Copiot’s region-based availability, I did not find any information. When I changed my location in Bing to India, the error was fixed. It would be best if you also tried this.
Check your location in Bing. To do so, use the following steps:
- Open Edge.
- Open the Bing search engine or go to bing.com.
- Ensure you are signed in to Edge with your Microsoft account. Now, click on the Hamburger menu or three horizontal lines on the top right side of Bing and select Settings.
- Click on the Country/Region option and select your correct location.
Related: Copilot not working in Windows 11
3] Clear cache and cookies in Edge
Corrupted cache and cookies in Edge can also cause this problem with Microsoft Copilot. In such a case, clearing the cache and cookies in Edge can help. Open Microsoft Edge and press the Ctrl + Shift + Delete keys. This keyboard shortcut will open the Clear browsing data window in Edge. Now, delete the cache and cookies and see.
4] Disable the extensions
Sometimes, extensions installed on a web browser cause issues. In such a case, disabling that conflicting extension fixes the issue. Disable all extensions in Microsoft Edge, then check if you can use Copilot. If this fixes the error, find the problematic extension.
To find the problematic extensions, enable the extensions one by one and refresh Copilot every time you enable an extension. When the error reappears in Copilot, the extension you have just enabled is the culprit. Now, uninstall that extension and find an alternative.
5] Use VPN
Copilot may not be available in your country. Therefore, the error keeps occurring and prevents you from using Copilot. We suggest you use a VPN connection and see if Copilot works with a VPN. First, try free VPN services like Proton or TunnelBear. If it works, you can purchase a VPN connection (if you want).
6] Reset Microsoft Edge
If the error persists and you cannot use Copilot, the last resort is to reset Microsoft Edge. This action will restore all the default settings in Edge.
How do I enable Copilot in Office 365?
Copilot is available in Office applications for Microsoft 365 subscribers. If you want to use Microsoft Copilot in Office apps, you have to purchase its license. After subscribing to Microsoft 365, Copilot is automatically added to Microsoft Office 365 applications. If not, update Office to the latest version.
Can I use Microsoft Copilot for free?
Yes, you can use Microsoft Copilot for free. It is available to users with the latest build of Windows 11 and is added to the Taskbar. Click on its icon to use it. However, if you want to use Copilot in Microsoft Office applications, you must purchase a Microsoft 365 subscription.
