Troubleshoot Outlook for Windows issues
Applies To
If you are having problems with Outlook, there are a few things we can help with to get you back to sending and receiving your email.
Select a tab option below for the version of Outlook you're using. What version of Outlook do I have?
Restart new Outlook
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Right-click Start and select Task Manager.
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Select Microsoft Outlook, then End task.
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Check to make sure that new Outlook is closed, then close Task Manager.
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After new Outlook closes, reopen the app as you normally would.
Uninstall and reinstall the new Outlook for Windows
To uninstall new Outlook:
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From the Start menu, select new Outlook for Windows.
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Select the arrow to expand the list option in Start.
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Select Uninstall to begin the uninstall process.
To reinstall new Outlook:
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Open classic Outlook for Windows.
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In the top corner, you'll see a toggle to Try the new OutlookÂ
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Select this toggle to download the new app and you will switch to the new Outlook for Windows.
To get new Outlook from the Microsoft Store:
If you’re using the Outlook desktop app included with a non-subscription version of Office such as Office Home & Business, you won’t have a toggle to Try the new Outlook. However, you can get or open new Outlook from the Microsoft Store by doing the following:
Note:Â To download new Outlook, you must be running Windows 10 version 17763.0 or later.
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Open the Microsoft Store on Windows app.
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Select Get if you need to download new Outlook, or Open if it is already installed.
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If your accounts aren't added automatically, follow the prompts to add your account and start using new Outlook.
If you can't open Outlook, or Outlook disappears or crashes, one of your add-ins may be to blame or you may need to update Outlook.
Check for updates
You might need to set Windows Update to automatically download and install recommended updates. Installing any important, recommended, and optional updates can often correct problems by replacing out-of-date files and fixing vulnerabilities. To install the latest Windows and Office updates, click the link below.
Keep Windows up to date with the latest Updates
Start classic Outlook in safe mode
You can start Outlook in safe mode, disable your add-ins, and then try to open Outlook normally.
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In Windows 11, select Start.
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Type Outlook /safe, in the Search programs and files and then click OK.
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Close and re-open Outlook.
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If the issue is resolved, you can keep working, or if you have time, take the following steps to find out what COM Add-in is causing the problem.
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Open the File menu, select Options, then select Add-ins.
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Select COM Add-ins and select Go.
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Clear all the check boxes in the list to disable the Add-ins and select OK.
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Restart Outlook.
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If the issue does not occur, go back to the COM Add-ins screen and enable them one at a time until the error occurs. (Be sure to close and restart Outlook after each Add-in is enabled.)
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If you can't choose any of the menu options, type inside an email message, calendar event, or contact, Outlook may have frozen. There are three steps you can take to try to get Outlook working again.
Check for other processes running under classic Outlook
Occasionally, classic Outlook tries to run a process in the background. Auto-archive, sending and receiving a very large attachment, or running some of the other mailbox tools can all be done in the background. Check the status bar at the bottom of the screen to see if another process is running. If so, wait a short time (usually two or three minutes) to see if Outlook starts working again.
If you can't open a particular set of folders, you can try to repair your personal folders file or create a new profile.
Repair your .pst file in classic Outlook
Try following the steps outlined here to repair your .pst file:
Repair Outlook Data Files (.pst and .ost)
Create a new profile in classic Outlook
Try following the steps outlined here to create a new profile:
Related articles
Fixes or workarounds for recent issues in new Outlook for Windows
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