Here is a selection of fixes to get Microsoft Outlook up and running after it stops.
Losing access to your email account can be an absolute disaster in terms of productivity. You can always use the Outlook web client Microsoft Outlook Web Vs. Desk:Which is the best for you? Microsoft Outlook Web Vs. Desktop:Which is the best for you? Outlook.com is a powerful online email client that comes free with Office Online. But can Outlook on the web compete with its desktop counterpart? Our Outlook comparison will help you decide for yourself. Read More
However, you can solve many common Outlook problems with just a few clicks, as long as you know what you're doing. Try these techniques and reclaim your email inbox in no time.
An outdated installation is a fast track to Outlook discontent, especially if you're using a work computer. You are likely well aware of which versions of Outlook and Windows are installed on your home system, but you may not be aware of this information at work.
You may not have the necessary credentials to do this on a work computer but if possible it's worth using windows update when windows update is stuck try this when windows update is stuck try this is windows update giving you a pain head? We have compiled seven tips to help you unlock it. Read More If you don't have the required privileges, contact a technician.
Microsoft is aware of the difficulties users may have with Outlook and the Office suite. Don't buy Office 2016! Here's why you don't need it Don't buy Office 2016! Why don't you need it? Should you buy the standalone suite version of Office 2016? We make our case for why we think you shouldn't and show you what you can do instead. Read more . To solve these problems, Microsoft has developed a tool that could fix any errors automatically.
Support and Recovery Assistant is available in the Outlook Support Center and can help when Outlook stops responding, when the client cannot receive emails, when shared mailboxes and calendars stop working, when the program keeps asking for your password and when the program says it is "trying to connect" or complains about being "disconnected".
If you're using Windows 7 and encountering a “can't start Microsoft Outlook” error message, then compatibility mode is probably to blame. This feature is intended to make it easier to use the program on an older operating system. 3 ways to downgrade Windows 10 and restore to Windows 7 or 8.1. Indefinitely 3 ways to downgrade Windows 10 and restore to Windows 7 or 8.1. Indefinitely have you upgraded to Windows 10 to secure a free copy or forcefully upgraded. We share three tricks that will help you downgrade now or later and save you if your upgrade failed. Read More
To check if compatibility mode is on, locate the Outlook.exe file on your hard drive or navigate to it in a File Explorer window. If you are using Office 2013, you can find the EXE file in Program Files> Microsoft Office> Root> Office 15 or Program Files (x86)> Microsoft Office> Root> Office 15 .
Right click on the file and choose Properties , then go to the Compatibility tongue. If any of the fields on this screen are checked, uncheck and then click Apply and I AGREE .
If Outlook stops responding while the “treatment” message is on the screen, it is worth starting the program in Safe Mode How to start in Safe Mode in Windows 10 How to start in Safe Mode in Windows 10 Safe Mode is a built-in feature Troubleshooting tool that lets you fix problems at the root, without Interfering Essential Apps. You can access Safe Mode in several ways, even if Windows 10 no longer starts. Read more to possibly diagnose the problem.
To do this enter Outlook.exe / seguro in the search bar:You may need to run this command as an administrator.
If Outlook opens successfully, close the program and then open it normally again. Hopefully, it no longer hangs on the "treatment" dialog.
Outlook startup issues are often caused by a corrupted installation or corrupted data files. Fortunately, it is not very difficult to run a repair operation How to Repair Your Outlook Inbox with Repair Tool How to Repair Your Outlook Inbox with Repair Tool Did you know that Outlook comes with a repair tool to repair files? PST? We'll show you how to use this and other troubleshooting steps for Microsoft Outlook. Read more about these files.
To repair Office as a whole, go to the Programs and Features Control Panel section . Find the version of Microsoft Office you are using, right click on it and select Change .
You should see options that will allow you to repair the installation; Depending on the version of Office you're using, they may vary slightly from the image below.
Run the Repair Operation and see if it takes care of your problem.
If Outlook isn't working properly, but the rest of the Office suite is, there could be a problem with the program's data files. To remedy this, we can use the inbox repair tool.
The Inbox Repair Tool is installed by default along with the Office installation. Find SCANPST.exe to find it on your system.
A corrupted profile can also be the cause of your Outlook difficulties. To get started with a solution, open the Control Panel and search for Mail .
This will launch the Mail Settings window. Click the box labeled Email Accounts .
On the next screen, find your account and click Repair .
Follow any additional steps in the wizard as needed; the necessary actions may vary depending on the problem.
If you can't open a particular program, you can use the command line switches to manipulate certain options and settings in order to get things up and running. To do so, enter the following strings in the command prompt window or directly in the Windows 10 search bar.
perspectiva / restablecer will reset the program's navigation pane, a common source of several prominent problems.outlook / resetfolders will restore the missing folders to the default delivery location.perspectivas / limpieza will remove all alarms and events attached to the Outlook calendar, which may resolve certain startup issues.Take a look at this article. 25 Outlook 2016 Command Line Changes You Should Know About. 25 Outlook 2016 Command Line Changes You Should Know About. You can get more out of Outlook by learning how to use changes on the command line. Read More
If you can open Outlook while using Safe Mode, but problems persist when it's disabled, one of your 10 Handy Productivity Add-ins for Microsoft Word 10 Handy Productivity Add-ins for Microsoft Word add-ins can completely change your workflow. If you no longer have to leave your document for small tasks, your productivity will increase. Try these 10 mini apps for Microsoft Word. Read More This situation is often accompanied by an error message related to a particular plugin, but the instructions provided in that message will likely not fix the problem.
Instead, start Outlook in Safe Mode (see instructions above) and disable all add-ins by navigating to File> Options> Add-ons . Open the program again without Safe Mode enabled to verify that it works, then activate each plugin individually to see which particular item is the culprit.
In the worst case, disabling the add-in that's causing problems will allow you to access Outlook normally once again, even if you have to go without the functionality it offers. Once you've narrowed down the problem to a single plugin, you can search online or contact its developer for more information on a solution.
The worst part about problems with Outlook is how difficult it can be to diagnose the problem. The best recourse is to be thorough and take note of everything you try, even if it doesn't work.
If none of the strategies listed in this article solve your problems, you may need to consult a professional How to Avoid Tech Repair and Support Scams. How to avoid technical repair and technical support scams. Not all PC technicians have your best interest. Some apply shoddy sales tactics or will trick you into buying their service. We reveal popular methods and help you identify trustworthy PC repair technicians. Read more . However, if you can relay what you've already tried to technical support, they can eliminate some possible causes and save time. Keep track of your own diagnostic attempts, and your efforts won't be in vain.
Do you have any tips for bringing Outlook back from the dead? Or are you looking for help with a specific issue not covered by this guide? Head over to the comments section to join the conversation.