How to Deal with ‘Microsoft Outlook Not Responding’ Error?
Microsoft Outlook is undoubtedly one of the most versatile email client tools available today, and this is right why it is used worldwide by organizations of all sizes. But like any other software, Outlook is also prone to bugs and problems
As a user, these problems can sometimes be frustrating. One common problem that crops up often is “Outlook not responding” or Outlook Not Working error. To help you fix this error and to reduce your frustrations, we have put together a comprehensive article that will give you all the answers to your questions.
How does this problem affect Microsoft Outlook Users?
When an application or process gets stuck in operation or reaches a deadlock for resources, the “not responding” message appears on the title bar of the application’s window. This is common across all applications on a Windows machine. Most of the time, the best option is to wait it out, even it is frustrating for you!
When this happens to your Outlook, the stakes are much higher because there is always a possibility for you to be in the middle of a conversation with a potential client. Or worse, you could be expecting an update for a crucial security issue and your Outlook stops working.
When you try to click anywhere on the Outlook window, the entire screen becomes translucent with the message “Microsoft Outlook not responding” displayed on the title bar.
Frustrating, right? Well, all is not lost and here are some things you can do to fix
How to Fix the “Outlook not responding” error:
The below-mentioned solutions work to fix issues in Outlook 2007, 2010, Outlook 2013 and Outlook 2016.
1. Quit Outlook and all related processes through Task Manager
If an existing Outlook process is stuck in operation, a fresh instance of the application cannot be initiated successfully. This is because one or more ‘outlook.exe’ processes would be running in the memory when you’re trying to start another ‘outlook.exe’ process, thereby creating a conflict.
Thus, one of the first things to try out is to kill all ‘outlook.exe’ processes through the Task Manager. For this:
- Right-click on the taskbar and click on “Task Manager”; you may also open it directly by pressing Ctrl + Alt + Del from the keyboard.
- Click on the Processes tab and search for all processes with the word Outlook in their name (primarily, processes named outlook.exe)
- For each process you find, select it by clicking on it once and then click on the ‘End Process’ button at the bottom right corner of Task Manager
This should kill all the Outlook processes. Try restarting your Outlook to see if the issue is fixed. If still your outlook not working, follow the guide below;
2. Identify and remove the problematic Outlook add-ins
Add-ins and customization files are installed into Outlook to improve the user experience. However, sometimes, faulty add-ins can cause problems with the normal working of Outlook. Hence, that’s where you should look next.
Here’s how you can spot if add-ins are creating the issue:
- Start Outlook in safe mode by pressing down the Ctrl key and clicking on Outlook icon; you may also launch Outlook in safe mode by opening the command prompt and typing outlook.exe /safe.
Note: Launching Outlook in safe mode loads Outlook without any add-ins or customisation files.
- If Outlook launches successfully, try to send/receive emails or do any other task to ensure that add-ins are the problem.
- To find which add-in is faulty, go to File -> Options -> Add-ins -> Go
- Due to the safe mode, all add-ins will be unchecked. One by one check add-ins and keep restarting Outlook with each check. Wherever Outlook doesn’t start correctly, that add-in is your culprit.
3. Turn off the Antivirus Program
Antivirus software is meant to safeguard your computer from all threats. Some of the products are designed in such a way that they scan every outgoing and incoming email to your system to detect problems. This might cause problems with the normal functioning of Outlook at times. Plus, your antivirus may flag some add-ins as untrustworthy and could even block them, thereby causing Outlook to hang or crash.
Go to Control Panel and turn off your antivirus. Restart Outlook and check. If everything works fine, you know where the problem is. To keep using both your antivirus and Outlook without issues, add Outlook and all its add-ins (that you trust) to the list of trusted applications in the antivirus software.
4. Organize and Archive Stuff
In order to function smoothly, Outlook needs to be organized and cleaned up every few weeks. So, make sure you organize all emails in separate and properly labelled folders instead of a single huge one. Also, delete all old emails that are no longer required. This also includes emptying the Outlook Deleted Items folder. In addition to these basic steps, you should archive old important emails in order to free up some space within the Outlook data file.
5. Reduce Outlook Data File Size
Outlook stores all data in the Personal Storage Table or.PST files. But when used with Exchange mailboxes, the data is stored in OST files (.ost) as well. If your Outlook PST or OST files grow too large in size, they are prone to damage and corruption.
Hence, clean up your Outlook inbox and other folders, archive old emails, and empty the Deleted Items folder to reduce the size of Outlook data files. Moreover, you can use Outlook Compact feature to compress data files and reduce their size.
6. Repair & Update Outlook
If none of the above-mentioned solutions works, there might be an issue with your Outlook installation. To fix such issues:
a. Go to Control Panel and find MS Office in the installed programs
b. Right-click on it and select Change
c. Click on Repair -> Continue
d. Follow the subsequent instructions
Once the repair is complete, check for any Outlook service-packs or other updates your installation is missing and if there are any, download and install them. You can also refer to this Manual
Conclusion
To conclude, “Microsoft Outlook not responding” or Outlook not working error is not only frustrating but is also cryptic. This means, finding the cause of the problem and its solution is not easy. Try the above resolutions to see which one resolves the issue for you.
If nothing works, Outlook PST file might have been corrupted or severely damaged. Repair it using a trusted PST repair software called Stellar Repair for Outlook Technician. The product will help you fix issues within the corrupted PST and will also extract all data from it to store in a fresh new PST that you can directly import into Outlook. Apart from this you can Split or compact PST file to avoid the error due to oversize PST File.
Also Read:
Hi There,
This was really helpful, I appreciate it.
Hi Robert, Thank you so much for your valuable feedback.
I’ve been browsing online more than 3 hours today, but I didn’t find any good solution. But after reading your blog I got to know about my problem and possible causes. Your article is very helpful for non-technical users also. Thank you for such a good piece of content and of course for knowledge.
Thank you, Shefali for your feedback. Keep reading and do subscribe to our blog for new updates.
I tried the manual method yesterday but my outlook crashed. Please help me.
Don’t worry Leena,
You can try the free demo version of our software i.e. Stellar Repair for Outlook.
My Outlook is working again. Thank YOU!
Working again but this error always occurs on my PC.
Hi Eve,
Agree!
You should keep a close eye on your Outlook for 100% protection.
Even a power outage can bring this situation. I think Google G mail suite is much better than Outlook.
Yes!
A power outage is one of leading cause for error in Outlook. But, Outlook is more suitable & friendly for corporate users rather than Gmail.
A good way to pitch the problem and their solution!
I will take the assistance of this guide to complete my Outlook tips presentation subject,
which I am going to deliver in college.
Thanks for sharing your wonderful experience with us.
My Outlook hang issue solved but it still takes too much time for opening new emails. Please suggest any instant solution for multiple PCs.
Slow performance in Outlook is related to poor management of Outlook data file. In order to make Outlook safe & secure, you can try third party software like Stellar Outlook Toolkit. It works multiple PCs and works in cases like PST file damage, heavy file size, lost password, deleted emails, merging files etc.
Yesterday, I did 3rd manual attempt and Outlook crashed.
HELP!
This problem may be related to data file error/damage. In this situation, you should go for trial version of Stellar PST repair.
I have tried all these fixes except repairing my PST using Stellar PST Repair tool, do you think the software can even repair a PST as acutely damaged as mine?
Yes!
You can verify its performance using a free demo.
Antivirus Program was responsible for mine. After making correct settings, I fixed all things. Thank You for this one helpful resource.
You should also do the same with Firewall settings.
All errors gone! Thanks
Good! You can subscribe our blog to receive an update about new blog guides.
Do you have any methods to prevent from these errors?
Read the post for better understanding and preventing tips: http://www.stellaroutlooktools.com/blog/speed-up-ms-outlook-2016-2013-or-2010/
My Outlook is working again.
Thank You!
Your positive review will encourage our readers to eliminate Outlook error by using this free guide.
This email application is very disruptive. I can’t waste my time regularly on troubleshooting idea. Please help!
Hi Thomas,
To keep these headaches far away, you can try Stellar Outlook Toolkit. This software is a combination of 6 Outlook tools that are effective for managing all errors in Outlook.
In my case, ScanPST.exe seems like a junk. What is a root case?
Hi Nancy,
ScanPST.exe is not capable to resolve all errors in Outlook. Read the reference: http://it.toolbox.com/blogs/recover-outlook/repairing-pst-in-offline-mode-if-scanpstexe-is-not-working-66633
Outlook 2016 is not responding after Windows 10 update. Why?
I am unable to access a single email in Outlook since last Friday. help me!
Hi Patricia,
Sometimes, this problem is related to minor or major damage in Outlook PST file. But, you can take a free analysis with reliable Outlook repair tool like Stellar Outlook PST Repair.
Yes!
Antivirus was responsible for the error in Outlook. I had informed the vendor of Antivirus program then he guided me about correct settings to avoid this clash.
yes, I have run antivirus scans and malware scans of the three computers without any errors being reported.
Do some modification in Windows Registry key to eliminate this one error in Outlook.
I have a funny situation.
On three computers running in the office, Outlook stops working when they receive an email.The three machines have individual exchange email accounts using office 365 and running different versions of MS Office(Office 365 v2106, Office 2010, Office 2007).
I have compacted the pst / ost file.These three computers started having troubles around the same time while two other computers have no problems whatsoever.
Hi Peter,
Have you fully protected Outlook from the virus?
I had spent around 9 hours with ScanPST.exe, but Stellar PST Repair resolved Outlook issues.
Hi,
Outlook 2007/2010 “not responding” and crash when a reply/forward ONLY a sender who use Mozilla Thunderbird.
Is an Outlook client issue or Mozilla Thunderbird?
Thanks
Are you trying to forward attachment also?
Thank you so much!! This article helped me get my Outlook moving again. I had no idea you could start Outlook in safe mode with the control key and clicking the icon. I disabled all the add-ins and now my Outlook is no longer freezing.
You transformed my bad Monday into a good day.
Hi Renee,
Thanks for your positive feedback. We are available to help the users 24*5 (Mon-Fri).
Sadly back to Thunderbird, I don’t like the annoying error regularly.
Hi Ahana,
If you want to explore the preventive tips to keep your Outlook Safe and error-free, then drop a message. We will share the references of useful “How-to-guides” for depth understanding.
I have noticed that MS Office package is also providing ‘repair’ option.
Is it safe to execute?
Yes, You can use ‘repair‘ option i.e. an inbuilt solution by MS Office package.
Hello Erick,
Can you suggest any solution for handling handle all issues of Outlook PST file?
We want to save our precious business hours from a technical glitch. Right now, we are operating 34 Outlook mail accounts on Windows 10 PCs.
You can try “Stellar Repair for Outlook- Technician” which supports multiple systems.
I am going to adopt the second method of the above article for improving the speed of Outlook.
Thanks Natalie for showing your trust with us.
After removing antivirus software, My Outlook email is opening correctly.
But, I have an obligation to use antivirus program as per organizational information security policy.
Please help me about tips to avoid a clash between Outlook and Antivirus software.
Hi Felicia,
To avoid any conflict between antivirus and Outlook program, you should set right priority in Firewall settings.
I have uninstalled outlook and performed a fresh installation. Now, it works on Windows 10 PC.
I have noticed that dozens of unwanted add-ins are active on my Windows 10 PC. I will prefer to remove these add-ins to enhance productivity of my Outlook 2016 application.
After installing AVG antivirus, My Outlook application has stopped to work. After reading this tutorial, I have realised that it is an outcome of bad settings.
Now, I am going to change the settings to fix the problem in Outlook.
After turn off the Antivirus program, Outlook is Working fine. Can I run Antivirus and Outlook simultaneously?
You should use Antivirus program of any trusted vendor.
Is ‘Compact Now’ safe to run at Windows 10 PC?
Of course!
It doesn’t affect the integrity of Outlook data file.
Hi,
I am using Outlook 2010 on Windows 7 PC.
Recently, I have observed that “spelling and the grammar check” function is not working adequately.
Can I fix this issue through Outlook Settings?
Hi,
This problem occurs because of the incorrect setting in Outlook. So, you can fix this issue manually.
To enable “Spelling and grammar check” function in MS Outlook, go through following steps:
Step 1: Open MS Outlook
Step 2: Compose a new message and go to home tab
Step 3: Now open Proofing tab after that language button open and now set proofing language.
Step 4: Then, Uncheck along option “Do not check spelling or grammar” and then click on “Set as default.”
Hi,
When I am trying to open attachments in my Outlook 2010, it does not open and reports a problem i.e. “Cannot create a file”.
How can I sort out this issue?
This issue may arise when you don’t have required permission for Temporary Internet Files folder. To fix this problem adequately, you need to Modify the Windows Registry key in Outlook.
In your case, you need to follow these steps:
1. Go to ‘My Computer’ and double click on C Drive
2. Open file in the menu, click New and click ‘Folder’.
3. Name the folder as “temp0”.
4. Follow the path — Click on Start>> Run>> type Regedit>> Click Ok
5. Locate and then click on the following registry key
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\14.0\Outlook\Security/
6. In the right pane, Click twice on OutlookSecureTempFolder
7. Go to Value Data field and Type C:\temp0\ and then click OK
8. Then Exit Registry Editor and Restart the Computer
Now, you can open attachment files in MS Outlook efficiently.