Losing access to your email account can be the ultimate productivity disaster. You can always use the Outlook web client as a last resort, but problems with the desktop version of the program can be even more frustrating.
However, you can solve many common Outlook issues with just a few clicks, as long as you know what you're doing. Try the techniques below and get your email inbox back on track without delay.
Check if Outlook is up to date
An outdated installation is the quickest way to give Outlook a headache, especially if you use a computer at work. You probably know what versions of Outlook and Windows are installed on your home system, but you may not have such information at work.
You may not have the necessary credentials to do this, but if possible, it's worth using Windows Update to ensure you're running the latest versions of Windows and Outlook. If you don't have the required permissions, contact a technician.
Use the Support and Recovery Assistant
Microsoft is fully aware of the difficulties users may have with Outlook and the Office suite as a whole. To address these issues, the company has developed a tool that is able to automatically correct any errors.
The Support and Recovery Assistant is available from the Outlook Support Center and can help when Outlook stops responding, when the client is not receiving email messages, when shared calendars and mailboxes stop working, when the program constantly asks for the password , and when the program claims to be "trying to connect" or complains that it has been "disconnected."
Disable compatibility mode
If you are using Windows 7 and encounter a "cannot start Microsoft Outlook" error message, then compatibility mode is likely the cause. This feature is intended to make it easier to use the program on older operating systems, but it can sometimes cause problems on its own.
To check if Compatibility Mode is enabled, look for the Outlook.exe file on your hard drive or navigate to it from 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 the file and select Properties, then head to the Compatibility. If any of the fields on this screen are checked,uncheck themandclick Apply and OK.
Run Outlook in Safe Mode
If Outlook stops responding while a "processing" message is on the screen, it's worth starting the program in safe mode to diagnose the problem.
To do this, type Outlook.exe /safe 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 again normally. Hopefully, there will no longer be "processing" in the dialog box.
Make repairs
Outlook startup issues are often caused by a corrupted installation or some corrupted data files. Fortunately, it's not too difficult to perform a repair operation on these files.
Repair Office Suite
To repair Office as a whole, head to Programs and Features in Control Panel. Find the version of Microsoft Office you're using, right-click it, and select Change.
You should see options that will allow you to repair the installation – depending on the version of Office you are using, they may differ slightly from the image below.
Run the Repair function and see if it fixes the problem.
Repair your Outlook data files
If Outlook is not working properly but the rest of the Office Suite is working, there could be a problem with the program's data files. To fix this, you can use the Inbox Repair Tool.
The Inbox Repair Tool is installed by default with Office installation. Search for SCANPST.exe to find it on your system.
Repair your Outlook profile
A corrupted profile may be the cause of your Outlook problems. To fix this, open Control Panel and search for Mail.
This will open the Mail Setup window. Click on the button labeled Email Accounts.
On the next screen, find your account and click the Repair.
Follow any further steps in the guide as needed – the necessary actions may vary depending on the problem.
Use Command Line Switches
If you are unable to open a specific program, you can use command line switches to manage certain options and settings in order to get things working again. To do this, type the following strings in a Command Prompt window or directly in the Windows 10.
- outlook /resetnavpane will reset the program's Navigation Pane, a common source of many problems.
- outlook /resetfolders will restore any missing folders to their default location.
- outlook /cleanreminders will remove any notifications and events associated with Outlook Calendar, which may solve some startup problems.
Disable Active Add-Ins
If you can open Outlook while using Safe Mode, but the problems persist even when it's disabled, one of your add-ins may be the cause. This situation is often accompanied by an error message associated with a specific add-in, but the instructions given in that message may not fix the problem.
Instead, start Outlook in Safe Mode (see above) and disable all add-ins by going to File –> Options –> Add-ins. Reopen the program without Safe Mode enabled to check that it works, and then enable each add-in individually to see which specific add-in is the culprit.
In the worst case scenario, disabling the problematic add-in will allow you to access Outlook normally again, even if you can't take advantage of the functionality it offers. Once you've narrowed down the problem to a single add-in, you can search online or contact its developer for more information about a fix.
Be meticulous and don't panic!
The worst part about Outlook is how difficult it can be to diagnose the problem. The best solution is to be meticulous and write down everything you try – even if it doesn't work.
If none of the strategies above fix your problem, you may need to consult a professional. However, if you can describe what you've already tried to tech support, they'll be able to rule out some possible causes and save you (all) some time!
