Outlook Shouldn’t Slow You Down
Outlook is a tool many professionals rely on every day. It keeps emails, calendars, and tasks in one place so work runs smoothly. But when Outlook starts freezing, shutting down, or crashing, it can bring your day to a halt.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Outlook issues are common, and most of the time they can be fixed with a few simple steps. In this guide, we’ll walk through the most common reasons Outlook crashes and what you can do to get it working again.
Common Reasons Outlook Crashes (and Quick Checks)
Outlook usually crashes for a handful of predictable reasons. Use the quick checks below to narrow it down before we move into the repair steps.
A. Pending Updates (Outlook or Windows)
Why it causes crashes: Bug fixes and stability patches haven’t been applied yet.
Quick check:
1. Open Outlook > File > Office Account (or Account).
2. Click Update Options > Update Now.
3. On Windows: press Start > type Windows Update > open Check for updates > install anything offered, then restart.
B. Problem Add-ins
Why it causes crashes: Extra plug-ins can conflict with Outlook.
Quick check:
1. Press Windows key + R, type outlook.exe /safe, press Enter.
2. If Outlook stays stable in Safe Mode, disable add-ins: File > Options > Add-ins > next to Manage COM Add-ins, click Go…
3. Uncheck all add-ins, OK, close Outlook, then reopen normally.
4. Re-enable add-ins one at a time, closing and reopening Outlook after each, to find the one that triggers crashes.
C. Corrupted Navigation Pane Settings
Symptoms: Outlook crashes right after opening or when switching folders.
Quick check:
1. Close Outlook.
2. Press Windows key + R, type outlook.exe /resetnavpane, press Enter.
3. Try Outlook again.
D. Large or Damaged Mail Data (OST/PST)
Why it causes crashes: Oversized or damaged data files strain Outlook.
Quick check:
1. In Outlook: File > Tools (or Info > Tools) > Mailbox Cleanup > View Mailbox Size.
2. If it’s very large, empty Deleted Items, Junk Email, and old Sent Items.
3. Note: We’ll run a deeper repair in a later section if needed.
E. Hardware Graphics Acceleration
Symptoms: Freezes when scrolling, previewing, or switching views.
Quick check:
1. File > Options > Advanced.
2. Under Display, check Disable hardware graphics acceleration.
3. Click OK, restart Outlook.
F. Outlook Profile Problems
Why it causes crashes: The profile (your Outlook settings) can get corrupted over time.
Quick check:
1. Close Outlook.
2. Open Control Panel > Mail (Microsoft Outlook) > Show Profiles.
3. Click Add…, create a new profile, choose Always use this profile, select the new one, and start Outlook.
4. If it stops crashing with the new profile, the old profile was the cause.
G. Security Software Email Plug-ins
Why it causes crashes: Some antivirus email scanners hook into Outlook and cause conflicts.
Quick check:
1. If Outlook worked in Safe Mode but not normally, check if your antivirus has an email scanning plug-in.
2. Do not turn off your antivirus. Instead, note the product name and let IT review the email plug-in setting or update the antivirus.
Step 1 — Restart Outlook and Your Computer
It sounds simple, but many Outlook crashes are temporary glitches that a restart clears up.
A. Restart Outlook
1. Click the X in the top-right corner of Outlook to close it.
2. Wait about 10 seconds.
3. Re-open Outlook by double-clicking the Outlook icon on your desktop or by clicking Start > Outlook.
B. Fully Restart Your Computer
1. Save any open documents or spreadsheets.
2. Click the Start button.
3. Select Power > Restart.
4. Wait until your computer reboots, then log back in.
5. Open Outlook again.
Step 2 — Update Outlook and Windows
Outlook relies on regular updates to stay stable.
A. Update Outlook
1. Open Outlook.
2. Click File > Office Account (or Account).
3. Look for Update Options > Update Now.
4. Wait while updates install.
5. Close and reopen Outlook.
B. Update Windows
1. Close all programs.
2. Click Start, type Windows Update, press Enter.
3. Select Check for updates.
4. Install updates and restart when prompted.
Step 3 — Disable Problematic Add-ins
Add-ins can cause Outlook to crash. Safe Mode helps test this.
A. Open Outlook in Safe Mode
1. Close Outlook.
2. Press Windows key + R, type outlook.exe /safe, press Enter.
3. If Outlook opens and stays stable, an add-in is likely the problem.
B. Turn Off Add-ins
1. File > Options > Add-ins.
2. Next to Manage: COM Add-ins, click Go.
3. Uncheck all add-ins.
4. Click OK, then reopen Outlook.
C. Find the Problem Add-in
Re-enable one add-in at a time, restarting Outlook each time, until the crashing add-in is found. Leave it disabled.
Step 4 — Repair Your Outlook Installation
If Outlook is still crashing, repair the installation using Microsoft’s built-in tool.
A. Open the Repair Tool
1. Close all Office apps.
2. Start > Control Panel > Programs and Features.
3. Find Microsoft Office in the list.
B. Run the Repair
1. Click Microsoft Office, then Change.
2. Choose Quick Repair, then Repair.
3. Restart your computer when done.
4. If issues persist, repeat and select Online Repair.
Step 5 — Create a New Outlook Profile
A corrupted profile can also cause crashes. Creating a new one may help.
A. Open the Mail Settings
1. Close Outlook.
2. Start > Control Panel > Mail (Microsoft Outlook).
B. Create a New Profile
1. In Mail Setup, click Show Profiles > Add.
2. Name the profile and enter your email info.
3. Finish setup.
C. Use the New Profile
1. Under Always use this profile, select the new one.
2. Open Outlook.
D. Optional: Remove the Old Profile
Back in Show Profiles, select the old one and click Remove.
When to Call in IT Help
If you’ve tried all of the above and Outlook still crashes, it may be time for IT support.
Signs it’s time to call IT:
– Crashes every time you open Outlook
– Repairs didn’t work
– The issue affects multiple people
– Crashes come with other computer issues
If you’re in the Austin, Buda, Kyle, or San Marcos area, you can always contact HVR Cloud for business IT support!
Keep Outlook Running Smoothly
Outlook crashing doesn’t have to derail your day. Restarting, updating, disabling add-ins, repairing the installation, or creating a new profile often solves the problem. If not, IT support can step in. With a few careful checks, Outlook can usually be restored to the dependable tool it’s meant to be.