Calendar Problems

Fix Microsoft Bookings with Me Showing Incorrect Appointment Start Times

Rana Garcia Sep 25, 2026 869 views

Question details

Twenty-minute appointments with no buffer in Microsoft Bookings with Me display incorrect start times compared to the expected schedule.

Fix Microsoft Bookings with Me Showing Incorrect Appointment Start Times

Product: Microsoft Bookings
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Creating custom 20-minute appointments with no buffer times in Bookings with Me.
Observed behavior: Start times display at incorrect intervals such as 17:20 and 17:40, instead of the expected 17:15, 17:35, and 17:55, whereas 15-minute intervals work correctly.

Before you start

Before proceeding, check your Outlook calendar to ensure there are no pre-existing overlapping events and verify that your default time zone settings are correct.

Solution 1Recommended

Report Scheduling Behavior to Microsoft Community Hub

Since this is a recognized scheduling alignment issue within Microsoft Bookings for 20-minute intervals, escalating to dedicated support engineers is required.

Microsoft Bookings with Me sometimes calculates custom intervals (like 20 minutes) differently than standard 15- or 30-minute blocks, often aligning them to specific hourly markers instead of rolling continuously from a custom start point. When settings such as zero buffers fail to correct the display, the issue must be investigated by Microsoft's backend team.

Gather your Bookings configuration details

Document your exact availability window, appointment duration (20 minutes), buffer settings (set to none), and take screenshots of the affected start times.

Navigate to the Microsoft Bookings Community Hub

Open your web browser and go to the official Microsoft Tech Community page, specifically navigating to the Microsoft Bookings hub.

Submit your detailed report

Create a new post including all gathered configuration details so that a dedicated support engineer can investigate and replicate the backend scheduling behavior.

Temporary Workaround: While waiting for a resolution from Microsoft, consider using standard 15-minute or 30-minute intervals, which consistently align correctly on the booking page.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Discover WPS Office for a Seamless Productivity Experience

While Microsoft Bookings manages your schedule, you can streamline your daily document workflow with WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, free alternative to Microsoft Office that is perfect for creating reports, managing spreadsheets, and designing presentations.

1. Download the installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the installer and follow the on-screen prompts to set up the lightweight application quickly.
3. Open your documents: Launch WPS Office and easily open your existing Microsoft Office files without worrying about formatting issues.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats.Free built-in PDF tools for signing contracts and managing schedules.Lightweight software with rapid startup and smooth performance.Clean, familiar user interface for seamless migration from MS Office.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do 15-minute intervals work but 20-minute intervals do not in Bookings?

Microsoft Bookings is optimized for standard calendar increments (15, 30, and 60 minutes) which easily divide evenly into an hour. Custom intervals like 20 minutes can cause the backend algorithm to misalign the start times when calculating availability blocks.

Can adding buffer times fix the incorrect start times?

Adding buffer times changes how Bookings calculates the next available slot. However, if you require strict back-to-back 20-minute meetings, adding a buffer will intentionally space them out and will not resolve the core alignment issue you are trying to achieve.

Does Bookings with Me sync instantly with my Outlook calendar?

Yes, Bookings with Me is linked directly to your Exchange calendar. Any new appointments booked or changes made directly to your availability in Outlook are reflected almost immediately on your booking page.

Where can I find the Microsoft Bookings Community Hub?

You can find it by searching for 'Microsoft Tech Community Bookings' in your preferred search engine, which will direct you to the dedicated official forum for user discussions and dedicated engineer support.

Outlook & Email Problems