How to fix Outlook not opening

From time to time, Microsoft Outlook will stop opening out of the blue. This is the number one guide on how to fix Outlook from not opening for both Windows and Mac. The right fix will depend on what happens when you open Outlook, as well as which one you have installed.

What are the causes that stop Outlook from opening?

• Add-in’s issues.
• Damaged files
• Corruption to profile
• Update Issue
• Navigation Issue

Steps on how to fix Outlook on Windows PC

When you are having issues opening using a Windows PC, follow the steps listed below.

1. Force Close using Task Manager. If you have clicked on Microsoft Outlook several times and it’s still not opening, first open task manager by holding the Control – Shift – Escape or Ctrl – ALT – Delete. Find and select Outlook. Then select End Task. Try opening it again.
2. Open in Safe Mode. To open in safe mode, hold down the Ctrl key while opening the Outlook shortcut icon in your taskbar. A popup box will appear, confirm you would like to open in Safe Mode by selecting “Yes”. If it opens in safe mode, a software issue has occurred. The next steps are to try a software repair and then remove any add-ins.
3. Online Repair. The best way to perform an online repair is to start by opening the control panel. To complete an online repair follow the instructions below.
   1. Once you have the control panel open, you can search for or select the Programs icon.
   2. Scroll down until you find Office Install or Microsoft 365 install.
   3. Select Program and Uninstall.
   4. Once the prompt opens, select online repair.
4. Remove Add-ins. When you have more than one add-ins, it could be conflicting with each other. Open Outlook in safe mode and follow the instructions below.
   1. Select File – Options – Add-ins.
   2. Under the manage selection, select go.
   3. Disable any add-ins by checking the boxes next to each one
5. Create a new profile.
   1. Open Control Panel
   2. Select or search for Mail 32 bit.
   3. Select show profiles icon and then new profile.
   4. Input your credentials.
   5. Before closing everything, use the drop-down menu under always use this profile. Select the new profile created.

Microsoft Tools

1. Download Microsoft’s Support and Recovery Application (SARA) Microsoft 365 business accounts only
   1. Open the link to Microsoft’s Support and Recovery Application, then select the blue download button
   2. A prompt will appear to download or run the application, select run. If you select download, open the download folder then double click to run the application.
2. Download Microsoft’s Scrub Tool. The scrub tool will fully remove all different versions on the computer, to allow for a fresh installation.

Steps to fix on Mac PC

Follow the steps below on how to fix Outlook from opening on a Mac PC.

1. Check for updates. Even when the application will not open, you will be able to select help and than check for updates.
2. Reset the Keychain.
   1. Open the Keychain Access App. This can be found by using the finder or in the applications the utility folder.
   2. Select the Search Bar in the upper right-hand corner
   3. Then remove all references to Exchange, Office, and ADAL.

3. Create a new profile. Using finder open the applications folder. Scroll down until you find Microsoft Outlook. Hold down CNTRL and click on the application (right-click), then select Show Packet Contents. From there open contents, then shared support. Open Outlook Profile Manager, then you will be able to select Create New Profile. It will ask to create a new profile name which can be anything. Many people will put new to know which one is the latest one.
4. Rebuild the Outlook Database. If you are using an Exchange account, you can rebuild the database to delete any information that has not been added to the cloud previously.
   1. Press and hold the option key while selecting the Outlook icon in the dock.
   2. Select the database you want to rebuild.
   3. Select rebuild.
   4. Once the process is complete, restart the application.
5. Uninstall and Reinstall Microsoft Office Applications

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) or 2 Factor Authentication not working

MFA is when you have to put in a code to sign in to Outlook. MFA is the most secure way to prevent others from gaining access to your account. However, when it is turned on it can cause issues opening Microsoft Outlook from opening as it does not recognize the code input. Instead of traditionally signing in you would want to create an “App Password” to use to sign in to Outlook.

To create an app password for both Windows and Mac’s you will sign into your additional verification page. This page can also be found under your account’s profile page.

Type the name of the application you are creating the code for and then select next. Select the button to copy to clipboard, which you need to paste where you would put your password when opening the app.

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