How to fix ‘Outlook not opening’ issue in Windows

Learn how to fix ‘Outlook not opening’ issue in Windows in this guide. Outlook is a widely used email client that provides a method that is both effective and efficient for managing contacts, calendar tasks, and emails. To put this into perspective, if you are unable to open Outlook, you will be unable to make use of all of its features, which may prevent you from performing work that is of any significance.

Regardless of whether you are using Windows 11 or Windows 10, we have you covered with this guide. If you find that Outlook is unable to open, we have you covered. The fact that Outlook does not open and there is no error message displayed is the aspect of this issue that causes the most concern for users. This causes users to be overwhelmed with confusion. There is nothing more aggravating than when your computer is not functioning in the manner that it is originally designed to.

Moreover, when you are dealing with a problem that is so widespread as Outlook not opening in Windows 10, it can be extremely frustrating. The problem of Outlook not opening in Windows 10 could be caused by a number of factors, including faulty Outlook Add-ins, a corrupt Outlook profile, an outdated Office programme, an outdated version of Windows, issues in the navigation pane, corrupt system files, incorrect account settings, and so on. Here are the simple ways how to fix ‘Outlook not opening’ issue in Windows.

What are the causes of ‘Outlook not opening’ issue in Windows

1. Corrupted Outlook Profile: The Outlook profile may become corrupted, preventing the application from opening.
2. Corrupted Outlook Data Files: The PST (Personal Storage Table) or OST (Offline Storage Table) files used by Outlook may be corrupted, leading to startup issues.
3. Third-Party Add-Ins: Incompatible or malfunctioning third-party add-ins can interfere with Outlook’s startup process.
4. Anti-virus or Security Software: Overly aggressive anti-virus or security software may block Outlook from opening or accessing its files.
5. Outdated Outlook Version: Using an outdated or unsupported version of Outlook may result in compatibility issues and prevent the application from opening.
6. Windows or Office Updates: Missing important updates for Windows or Microsoft Office can lead to compatibility problems and hinder Outlook’s functionality.
7. Profile Configuration Issues: Incorrectly configured Outlook profiles or mail account settings may cause Outlook not to open.
8. Issues with Windows User Account: Problems with the user account, such as insufficient permissions, may prevent Outlook from starting.

How to fix ‘Outlook not opening’ issue in Windows

Check for System Updates

1. Press the Windows key and click on “Settings.”
2. Navigate to “Update & Security.”
3. Click on “Check for updates” and install any available updates.

Run Outlook in Safe Mode

1. Press ‘Windows + R’ to open the Run dialog.
2. Type “outlook.exe /safe” and press Enter.
3. If Outlook opens successfully, disable add-ins one by one to pinpoint the culprit.

Repair Microsoft Office

1. Open the Control Panel and navigate to “Programs” > “Programs and Features.“
2. Right-click on “Microsoft Office” and choose “Change.”
3. Select “Quick Repair” or “Online Repair” and follow the on-screen instructions.

Disable Hardware Graphics Acceleration

1. Open Outlook and go to “File” > “Options.“
2. In the Mail category, scroll down to the “Compose messages” section.
3. Uncheck the box for “Use hardware graphics acceleration when available.”

Create a New Outlook Profile

1. Press ‘Windows + R‘ to open the Run dialog.
2. Type “Control mlcfg32.cpl” and press Enter.
3. Click “Show Profiles,” then select “Add” to create a new profile.

Check for Corrupted Outlook Data Files

1. Search for “scanpst.exe” on your computer.
2. Run the tool and select the corrupted PST/OST file.
3. Follow the repair process.

Conclusion

The solution to the problem that occurs when you try to open Microsoft Outlook by selecting the programme from the Start menu or a shortcut icon, but it does not open, is contingent on the specific conditions that you are experiencing as well as the version of Microsoft Outlook that you are utilising. In addition to these, there are other factors that may play a role.

Perhaps you have installed a new programme on your computer that is incompatible with Outlook, or perhaps your system is infected with a virus. Both of these possibilities are possible. No matter what the specific cause is, there are a number of key troubleshooting fixes that can be tried that could potentially be of assistance.

Questions and Answers