How to Fix “Microsoft Outlook Has Stopped Working”
Is Microsoft Outlook crashing or not responding? Don’t worry; you’re not alone. Many users face this issue, but it can often be resolved with a few troubleshooting steps. One of the following steps are likely to be the fix to your problem so go through one by one and keep checking after each step to get Outlook back up and running.
Step 1: Start Outlook in Safe Mode
Sometimes, add-ins or extensions can cause Outlook to crash. Running Outlook in Safe Mode disables these, allowing you to see if one of them is the problem.
1. Press Windows + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog.
2. Type outlook.exe /safe and press Enter.
3. If Outlook starts in Safe Mode, the issue may be with an add-in. To Disable Add-ins:
4. Go to File > Options > Add-ins.
5. In the Manage section at the bottom, select COM Add-ins and click Go.
6. Uncheck all add-ins and click OK.
7. Restart Outlook normally.
Step 2: Update Outlook
Outlook may stop working due to outdated software. Ensure you are using the latest version.
1. Open Outlook and go to File > Office Account.
2. Click Update Options and select Update Now.
3. Wait for the update process to complete, then restart Outlook.
Step 3: Repair Outlook Installation
Corrupted files in your Outlook installation may cause issues. Repairing the installation can help.
1. Open Control Panel.
2. Go to Programs and Features.
3. Find Microsoft Office in the list, right-click it, and select Change.
4. Choose Quick Repair first. If that doesn’t work, try Online Repair (which requires an internet connection).
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the repair process.
Step 4: Create a New Outlook Profile
A corrupted Outlook profile can cause crashes. Creating a new profile may resolve the issue.
1. Close Outlook completely.
2. Open Control Panel and search for Mail.
3. Click on Mail (Microsoft Outlook) and then select Show Profiles.
4. Click Add to create a new profile and give it a name.
5. Follow the prompts to set up your email account in the new profile.
6. Once the new profile is created, set it as the default profile and start Outlook.
Step 5: Disable Compatibility Mode
If Outlook is running in Compatibility Mode, it may cause issues.
1. Open Outlook and go to File > Options.
2. Go to the General tab.
3. Under User Interface options, check the box for Optimize for best appearance.
4. Click OK then restart Outlook.
Step 6: Update Windows and Drivers
Outdated Windows or drivers can lead to software conflicts that may cause Outlook to stop working.
1. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
2. Click Check for updates and install any available updates.
3. Also, make sure your graphics and network drivers are up to date by visiting the manufacturer’s website or using Device Manager.
Step 7: Reinstall Microsoft Office
If none of the above steps work, you may need to uninstall and reinstall Microsoft Office.
1. Open Control Panel and go to Programs and Features.
2. Find Microsoft Office and click Uninstall.
3. Follow the prompts to complete the uninstallation.
4. After uninstalling, restart your computer.
5. Reinstall Microsoft Office using your original installation media or by downloading it from your Microsoft account.
Conclusion
By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the “Microsoft Outlook Has Stopped Working” issue and get back to managing your emails efficiently. Remember, keeping your software updated and performing regular maintenance on your Outlook files can prevent many common issues.
If the problem persists after trying these solutions, consider reaching out to Microsoft Support for further assistance.
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