Outlook not responding error or Outlook freezes when you lot open a file or ship mail

  • Article
  • thirteen minutes to read
  • Applies to:
    Outlook 2019, Outlook 2016, Outlook 2013, Microsoft Outlook 2010, Outlook 2010 with Business organisation Contact Manager, Outlook for Microsoft 365

Original KB number: 2652320

Symptoms

When you open a file or send an e-mail message in Microsoft Outlook 2010 or later on versions, Outlook freezes, or you receive the following error message:

Outlook not responding

Cause

This problem occurs for one or more of the post-obit reasons:

  • You accept not installed the latest updates.
  • Outlook is in utilize by another process.
  • Outlook is loading external content, such equally images in an email bulletin.
  • A previously installed add-in is interfering with Outlook.
  • Your mailboxes are too large.
  • Your AppData binder is redirected to a network location.
  • You lot have to repair your Office programs.
  • Outlook information files have become corrupted or damaged.
  • Your installed antivirus software is outdated, or information technology conflicts with Outlook.
  • Your user profile has become corrupted.
  • Another programme conflicts with Outlook.

Note

  • This consequence may occur for one or more of the reasons in this section. To fix this issue, you may take to follow the troubleshooting steps in the Resolution section.
  • Many of these items can be automatically checked by the Microsoft Back up and Recovery Assistant (SaRA). To kickoff the automatic checks, follow these steps:
    1. Install the Outlook Advanced Diagnostics tool.
    2. Select Run when you are prompted past your browser.
    3. In the report that's generated, review the items on the Issues found tab. For configuration details near Outlook, Windows, and your computer, review the settings on the Detailed View tab.

Resolution

To resolve this problem, make certain that your computer meets the Outlook 2016 system requirements, Outlook 2013 system requirements or Outlook 2010 arrangement requirements.

Annotation

These steps are provided in a specific order based on commonality and complexity. Follow these steps in the given order.

Pace 1 - Install the latest updates

The Office installation on your computer might not be up to appointment. This might be because Windows Update is non configured on your computer to automatically download and install recommended updates. Past installing important, recommended, and optional updates, you can often right issues past replacing out-of-engagement files and fixing vulnerabilities. To install the latest Office updates, click the link for your version of Windows, so follow the steps in the article:

  • Install Windows updates in Windows 10
  • Windows Update FAQ for Windows 8.i
  • Install Windows updates in Windows vii
  • Install Windows updates in Windows Vista
  • Install Windows updates in Windows XP

Make certain that the latest updates for Outlook are installed. For more information, see How to install the latest applicative updates for Microsoft Outlook (US English but).

Pace ii - Make certain that Outlook is not in utilise by another procedure

Operation may be decreased if you use the Outlook AutoArchive feature or sync to Outlook with a mobile device. This is because these processes can utilise a large number of resources.

If Outlook is in utilize by another process, this information is displayed in the condition bar at the bottom of the screen. If you lot endeavour to perform other deportment while Outlook is in use, Outlook may not reply. Let the task in procedure finish its task before you try another action.

Stride three - Check the problem caused by external content

To resolve this issue, use one of the post-obit methods:

  • Prevent Outlook to download external contents. To do this, go to File > Options > Trust Heart > Automated Download, select the following two options:
    • Don't download pictures or other content automatically in HTML email option.
    • Warn me before downloading content when editing, forwarding, or replying e-mail service.
  • Avoid sending such an email with external source.

Step four - Investigate possible add together-in issues

Although add together-ins can heighten your user experience, they can occasionally interfere or conflict with Outlook. Try to starting time Outlook without any add together-ins running.

How to start Outlook without add-ins

  1. Do the following, every bit appropriate for your operating system:
    • If you are running Windows 8, swipe in from the correct border of the screen, and then tap Search. (If you are using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, movement the mouse arrow down, and then select Search.) Type Run in the search box, and then tap or select Run.
    • If you are running Windows 10, Windows seven or Windows Vista, select Start.
    • If y'all are running Windows XP, select Showtime, and then select Run.
  2. Blazon Outlook.exe /prophylactic, and and so select OK.
  3. If the problem is resolved, select Options on the File menu, and so select Add together-Ins.
  4. Select COM Add-ins, and then select Go.
  5. Articulate all the check boxes in the list, and then select OK.
  6. Restart Outlook.

If the trouble does non occur after you restart Outlook, one of the add together-ins is likely the cause of the trouble. Restore the add-ins one at a fourth dimension until the problem does occur to determine which add-in is causing the problem.

Pace 5 - Check whether your mailbox is too large

Equally your mailbox size increases, more resources are required to open up each binder. If you have a large number of items in whatever single folder, you lot may experience functioning issues during certain operations. For more information, see Outlook performance problems when there are as well many items or folders in a cached mode .ost or .pst file.

We recommend that you motion several items in your larger folders to split up folders, or that you archive those items by using the AutoArchive feature.

How to create a folder

  1. On the Binder tab, select New Folder in the New group.

  2. In the Proper name box, enter a name for the folder.

  3. In the Select where to identify the binder list, select the location for the new folder.

    Annotation

    The new binder volition get a subfolder of the binder yous select.

  4. Select OK.

To manage your mailbox past reducing the size of the Outlook data file, meet Reduce the size of Outlook Information Files (.pst and .ost).

To manage your mailbox by using the AutoArchive feature, run across AutoArchive settings explained.

Step vi - Check whether your AppData binder is being redirected to a network location

Outlook stores sure data, such as electronic mail signatures and the spelling checker lexicon, in the AppData folder. If the network is performing slowly, Outlook must wait for read and write operations to the AppData directory to end.

How to disable redirection of the AppData directory

  1. Exit Outlook.

  2. Start Registry Editor. To practise this, use ane of the following procedures, as appropriate for your version of Windows:

    • Windows 10 or Windows 8: Press Windows Central+R to open up a Run dialog box. Type regedit.exe and then press OK.
    • Windows seven: Select Start, type regedit.exe in the search box, and and so press Enter.

  3. In Registry Editor, locate and and so select the following subkey:

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders

  4. Locate and then double-click the AppData value.

  5. In the Value data box, type the post-obit path, and then select OK:
    %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming

    Screenshot of the Edit String dialog where you can input the value data.

  6. Get out Registry Editor.

Step seven - Repair Office programs

You can automatically repair your Office programme files to resolve such problems as Outlook freezing or not responding.

How to automatically repair Office

  1. Exit whatever Microsoft Office programs that are running.
  2. Open Control Panel, and so open the Add or Remove Programs item (if you are running Windows XP) or Programs and Features (if y'all are running Windows x, Windows 8, Windows seven, or Windows Vista).
  3. In the list of installed programs, right-click Microsoft Part 2016, Microsoft Part 2013 or Microsoft Function 2010, and so select Repair.

Step eight - Repair Outlook data files

When you install Outlook, an Inbox repair tool (scanpst.exe) is also installed on your PC. The Inbox repair tool can resolve issues by scanning your Outlook data files, and repairing errors. To employ the Inbox repair tool, exit Outlook, and then follow the steps in Repair Outlook Data Files (.pst and .ost).

Step ix - Check whether antivirus software is up-to-date or conflicts with Outlook

If your antivirus software is not upwardly-to-date, Outlook may not function correctly.

How to cheque whether antivirus software is up to date

To keep upwards with new viruses as they are created, antivirus software vendors periodically provide updates that you can download from the Internet. Download the latest updates past visiting your antivirus software vendor's website.

For a list of antivirus software vendors, encounter Consumer antivirus software providers for Windows.

How to check whether antivirus software conflicts with Outlook

If your antivirus software includes integration with Outlook, you may experience performance issues. You can disable all Outlook integration within the antivirus software. Or, you tin disable whatsoever antivirus software add-ins that are installed in Outlook.

Of import

When you lot alter your antivirus settings, this may brand your PC vulnerable to viral, fraudulent, or malicious attacks. Nosotros do not recommend that you try to modify your antivirus settings. Use this workaround at your own hazard.

You lot may take to contact your antivirus software vendor to determine how to configure the software to exclude any integration with Outlook or to exclude scanning in Outlook.

Step 10 - Create a user contour in Outlook

To create a user profile, follow these steps:

  1. In Control Panel, select Programs, select User Accounts, and and so select Mail service to open up Mail items.

  2. Select Show Profiles.

  3. Select the profile that y'all want to remove, and and so select Remove.

  4. Select Add together.

  5. In the Profile Name dialog box, type a proper name for the profile.

  6. Specify the user proper noun, the primary SMTP accost, and the password. And then, select Next.

  7. You lot may receive the following prompt:
    Allow this website to configure <alias@domain server> settings?

    In this prompt, select the Don't inquire me about this once more checkbox, and then select Allow.

Step 11 - Perform a Selective Startup (advanced users)

When you beginning Windows normally, several applications and services outset automatically and then run in the background. These applications and services tin can interfere with Outlook. A Selective Startup or "clean boot" process can assist you place problems that are acquired by application conflicts.

If you use the Selective Startup option in System Configuration, you can turn services and startup programs on or off individually to cheque whether the trouble occurs the adjacent time that yous beginning your computer. In System Configuration, if you select a cheque box, the related service or startup program runs when you restart the computer. If the cheque box is cleared, the service or startup program does non run when you restart the computer.

Follow this procedure to use the process of elimination to identify the problem in Windows x, Windows 8, Windows 7, or Windows Vista.

How to practice a Selective startup

  1. In Command Panel, select Arrangement and Security, select Authoritative Tools, and then double-click System Configuration.

    Note

    If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

  2. Select the General tab, select Selective startup, and then clear the Load system services and the Load startup items check boxes.

  3. Select the Load system services check box, select OK, and then select Restart.

  4. If the problem reoccurs after you restart the computer, practise one or both of the following tasks, as necessary.

    To determine which organisation service is causing the problem

    1. In Organisation Configuration, select the Services tab, select Disable all, select the check box for the first service that is listed, so restart the calculator.

      Note

      If the problem doesn't reoccur, then you tin eliminate the kickoff service as the crusade of the trouble.

    2. With the first service selected, select the second service check box, so restart the computer.

    3. Repeat this procedure until you reproduce the trouble.

      Notation

      If you tin't reproduce the problem, yous can eliminate system services as the cause of the problem.

    To determine which startup detail is causing the trouble

    1. In System Configuration, select the General tab, and so select the Load startup items check box.

    2. Select the Startup tab, select Disable all, select the check box for the first startup item that is listed, and so restart the calculator.

      Notation

      If the trouble doesn't reoccur, y'all can eliminate the first startup item as the cause of the problem.

    3. While the showtime startup item is selected, select the 2d startup detail check box, and so restart the computer. Repeat this process until you reproduce the problem.

Step 12 - Create a Windows user profile (advanced users)

Your user profile is a collection of settings that allow you customize the computer advent and functioning. It contains settings for desktop backgrounds, screen savers, sound settings, and other features. User profiles aid make sure that your personal preferences are used when you log on to Windows.

To determine whether this trouble is caused by a corrupted user contour, create a user profile to see whether the problem all the same occurs when you utilise the new profile.

How to repair a corrupted user contour in Windows 8

Step one - Create a user account

To create a user profile, you must showtime create a user account. When the new account is created, a profile is also created.

  1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap Search. (If you are using a mouse, indicate to the upper-right corner of the screen, motion the mouse arrow down, and then select Search.) Type Command Prompt in the search box, right-click Command Prompt, and and so select Run as administrator.

    Note

    If y'all're prompted for an administrator countersign or for confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

  2. Type net user UsernamePassword /add, so press Enter.

Step ii - Copy one-time files to the new user profile** Subsequently you create the profile, yous can copy the files from the existing profile

Note

You must take at least 3 user accounts on the computer to complete these steps. This includes the new account you but created.

  1. Log on every bit a user other than the user that y'all just created or the user that you want to re-create files from.

  2. In Control Panel, select Appearance and Personalization, and then select Folder Options.

  3. Select the View tab, and then select Bear witness hidden files, folders, and drives.

  4. Clear the Hide protected operating arrangement files bank check box, select Yes to ostend, and then select OK.

  5. Open up File Explorer. To do this, Swipe in from the right border of the screen, and then tap Search. (If you are using a mouse, indicate to the upper-right corner of the screen, motion the mouse pointer down, and then select Search.) Enter File Explorer in the search box, tap or select Apps, and and then tap or select File Explorer. Blazon Command Prompt in the search box, right-click Command Prompt, and then select Run every bit administrator.

  6. Locate the C:\Users\Old_Username folder, in which C is the drive that Windows is installed on, and Old_Username is the name of the profile that you desire to copy files from.

  7. Select all the files and folders in this binder, except the following files:

    • Ntuser.dat
    • Ntuser.dat.log
    • Ntuser.ini

  8. On the Edit menu, select Copy.

    Note

    If you don't see the Edit carte, printing Alt.

  9. Locate the C:\Users\New_Username folder, in which C is the drive that Windows is installed on, and New_Username is the name of the user profile that you lot created earlier in this method.

  10. On the Edit carte, select Paste.

  11. Log off, and then log dorsum on as the new user.

Note

If you accept e-mail letters in an e-mail program, you must import your e-mail messages and addresses to the new user contour before y'all delete the former profile. If everything is working correctly, you can now delete the onetime contour.

Side by side step

If the information in this article does not assistance resolve your problem in Outlook 2016, Outlook 2013 or Outlook 2010, see the following resources for more information:

  • Perform a search to discover more online articles nearly this specific error
  • Visit the Microsoft Community online to post your question near this fault
  • Notice the appropriate phone number to contact Microsoft Support

References

  • Fix a corrupted user profile in Window 7
  • Create a user account in Windows