In this guide, we’ll show you some simple and more advanced troubleshooting solutions that can help you get Outlook back up and running quickly.
Why Outlook Will Not Open
There are several reasons why Outlook might not load or work correctly. These reasons include:
Issues with the Outlook serviceInternet connectivity issuesA bug in the app, which requires an updateIssues with app updatesOutdated or defective add-insDefective or faulty Outlook PST fileA corrupted profileIssues with the navigation pane
How to Fix When Outlook Won’t Open
Whatever the reason for Outlook not opening on your device, there are several simple and advanced troubleshooting steps you can use to fix Outlook issues. After each step, try to open Outlook and check if it works again.
1. Quick Fixes
Check your internet connection. If the connection works but you can’t open Outlook, your browser or other apps, see our guide on what to do when you can connect to a wireless router but not the internet. Find out also how to fix an intermittent internet connection in Windows 10 or connect your computer to a mobile hotspot when your router isn’t working.Download and install the Automated Support and Recovery Assistant Tool (SaRA). This tool runs tests to identify problems and offers the best fixes. It works in the cloud-based Microsoft 365, Office or Outlook on your computer. Check for updates on your computer. You may also consider troubleshooting if Windows won’t install updates.
Check whether Outlook works on a different device. Create another user account on your device and check if it helps. Make sure Outlook can access your calendar, and check if your device’s date/time and country/region information is correct. Make sure you’re using the correct server settings that your IT administrator or ISP has provided. Configure Outlook using a POP3 or IMAP account instead of an Exchange account.If Outlook keeps crashing on your Android or iOS device, clear the browser’s cache. Remove the Outlook app and reinstall it.
2. Enable Work Offline
The Work Offline option allows you to access mail that you’ve saved before Outlook stopped working. Open Outlook and check for the Working Offline status at the bottom of the window. If you don’t see Work Offline, it means the feature is disabled. To enable Work Offline on your Windows PC, select Send/Receive > Work Offline. For Mac, select Outlook on the menu bar and then select Work Offline.
3. Update Outlook
By default, Outlook installs updates automatically, but you can manually enable or disable these updates via your Office Account settings. You can also check for available updates and install the latest one on your device. Note: For older Outlook versions that don’t have the Office Account option, select File > Help > Check for Updates and install the update.
4. Check Outlook Mail Server Settings
Check your mail server settings to be sure nothing has changed that would affect how Outlook works. Note: If you use Gmail, Yahoo, iCloud, work-provided email address, custom domain email address, Outlook.com or email addresses that end with @live.com, @msn.com or @hotmail .com, you can’t edit the settings directly. In such cases, Windows manages these settings for you so you can skip this step.
5. Start Outlook in Safe Mode
Safe Mode helps you start Outlook without add-ins, which could be in conflict with the app. This way, you can tell whether the add-in is the cause of the problem or not. If Outlook works when in Safe Mode, disable all your add-ins and then restart the app. Re-enable the add-in you want by selecting the box next to it and repeat this step until you have re-enabled all the original add-ins and found the source of the error. Sometimes the error could be caused by more than one add-in.
6. Create a New Profile
Your Outlook profile contains your Outlook settings. If the profile is corrupted, you can create a new profile and make it the default profile used when Outlook starts. Note: Back up your data files before removing your old profile because selecting Remove means all your offline cached content will be deleted.
7. Repair Outlook Data Files
Occasionally, some of the data (PST) files Outlook stores may become corrupted. You can use the scanpst.exe (Inbox Repair Tool) to scan your data files and repair errors. See our in-depth guides on what to do when Outlook can’t access data files and how to repair an Outlook PST file that’s damaged or corrupted.
8. Remove Navigation Pane Customizations
The navigation pane displays your folder list and icons to move. You can run the /resetnavpane command to remove all customizations to the navigation pane and check whether Outlook still won’t open. Close Outlook, select Start > Run, and type Outlook.exe /resetnavpane. Select OK.
9. Check if Outlook is Running in Compatibility Mode
Compatibility mode makes it easier for you to run programs on older operating systems. If Outlook is running in compatibility mode, disable it and check whether it works properly again. Note: This step applies to Outlook 2010 and 2013 versions; Outlook 2016 doesn’t have the Compatibility tab.
10. Rebuild the Outlook Database (Mac)
If you’re using Outlook on a Mac and the app won’t open, rebuild the Outlook database using the Microsoft Database Utility to fix the problem. Before rebuilding the database, check whether the problem is caused by a fragmented or damaged hard disk and then run the Apple Disk Utility to diagnose and repair hard disk problems. Note: You can’t manually repair or rebuild a database in Outlook 2016 for Mac. The application does this automatically for you. Before rebuilding the Outlook database, make sure you have at least 20MB of free disk space, which is needed to rebuild or compact the database. Note: Before the Database Utility rebuilds a database, it will create a backup copy of the database with the date and time the backup was created. You can find this backup in the /Users/ username/Documents/Microsoft User Data/Office 2011 Identities/ folder.
Get Outlook Up and Running Again
We hope this guide has helped you open Outlook again to access your mail and other documents. If you’re experiencing syncing issues in Outlook, our Outlook App Not Syncing guide will help you with that. Share with us what worked for you by leaving a comment below.
