Outlook not opening, freezing or not responding? Fixes for Windows

Outlook won't open, says Not responding, or freezes while you work. Windows has two Outlook apps, the new Outlook and classic Outlook, and the fixes are a little different. Start at the top. None of these steps delete your email.

Not sure which one you have? Try the steps for both. Microsoft's own page (in Sources) has a tab for each.

New Outlook for Windows

1. Close it fully and reopen it

   Right-click Start and select Task Manager. Select Microsoft Outlook, then End task. Close Task Manager and open Outlook again.

2. Uninstall and reinstall it

   From the Start menu, select the new Outlook, select the arrow to expand its options, and select Uninstall. Then open the Microsoft Store app, find Outlook and select Get. If your accounts aren't added back automatically, follow the prompts to add them. Your Outlook.com or Gmail mail stays online with your email company.

Classic Outlook for Windows

1. Give it a couple of minutes

   Look at the status bar at the bottom of the window. If something is running, like sending a very large attachment or archiving, Microsoft says to wait a short time (usually two or three minutes).

2. Install updates

   Install Windows updates and Microsoft 365 or Office updates. They often fix problems like this. If updates are stuck, see Updates stuck or failing.

3. Start in safe mode and turn off add-ins

   Add-ins are extras that plug into Outlook, and a bad one can make it hang. Safe mode starts Outlook without them.

   1. Press Windows + R, type outlook.exe /safe and select OK. If asked to choose a profile, keep the default and select OK.
   2. If Outlook works in safe mode, go to File → Options → Add-ins, choose COM Add-ins and select Go.
   3. Take a photo or note of which add-ins are ticked, then clear the check boxes and select OK. Don't select Remove. You want to turn them off, not delete them.
   4. Restart Outlook normally. If it works, turn add-ins back on one at a time, restarting each time, to find the one causing trouble.

4. Try a new Outlook profile

   Your profile holds your Outlook settings and can get damaged. Microsoft's steps let you create a new one and pick it when Outlook starts (hold Shift while opening Outlook to choose the profile).

5. Repair your data file, then Office

   Run the Inbox Repair Tool (scanpst.exe) to fix errors in Outlook's data files. If that doesn't help, repair Office: try a Quick Repair first, then Online Repair. Microsoft's pages in Sources have the steps.

Sources

• Microsoft: Outlook for Windows not responding, hangs, freezes, or stops working
• Microsoft: I can't send or receive messages in Outlook (safe mode, profile and repair)