Fix Outlook App Won’t Open in Windows 10

Over the years, Microsoft’s very own mail service has managed to carve out a niche user base in this Gmail-dominated email market. However, struggling with app refusing to open on Windows 10 can disrupt your workflow and communication. In most cases, it may not launch if an instance of it is already active or the previous session was not terminated properly. Thus, we will explain how to fix Outlook App won’t open problem in Windows 10 PC.

How to Fix Outlook App Won’t Open in Windows 10 PC

How to Fix Outlook App Won’t Open in Windows 10 PC

Originally called Hotmail, Outlook Mail Service appeals to a lot of organizations for internal communication and thus, boasts around 400 million users. This massive user base can be attributed to additional features such as calendars, internet browsing, note-taking, task management as well as its availability as both, a web client and an app included in MS Office suite on multiple platforms.

The reasons that prevent your Outlook app from opening are  corrupt local AppData and .pst files or problematic add-ins.

Method 1: Kill MS Outlook Task

The simple answer to how do I fix Outlook not opening question is to make sure that an instance of Outlook is not already active in the background. If it is, simply terminate it and check whether this solves the problem or not.

1. Hit Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys together to open Task Manager.

2. Locate the Microsoft Outlook process under Apps.

3. Right-click on it and choose End task from the menu, as depicted.

Right click on it and choose End task from the menu. How to Fix Outlook App Won’t Open in Windows 10 PC

4. Try to launch Outlook now, hopefully, the application window will open up without any issues.

Also Read: Fix Outlook Password Prompt Reappearing

Method 2: Start Outlook in Safe Mode & Disable Add-Ins

Microsoft allows users to expand Outlook functionality by installing a number of useful add-ins. Although, sometimes these very add-ins can result in the downfall of the app itself and prompt a number of issues including Outlook won’t open. By launching Outlook in Safe Mode, identify is trouble is due to add-in and then remove it:

1. Press the Windows key + R keys simultaneously to open Run dialog box.

2. Type outlook.exe /safe and hit Enter key to launch Outlook in Safe Mode.

Note: You can read our guide on How to Start Outlook in Safe Mode.

Type outlook.exe or safe and hit Enter to launch Outlook. How to Fix Outlook App Won’t Open

3. A pop-up requesting you to choose a profile will appear. Open the drop-down list and choose the Outlook option and hit the Enter key.

Open the drop-down list and choose Outlook option and hit Enter. How to Fix Outlook App Won’t Open in Windows 10 PC

If the problem indeed lies with one of the add-ins, uninstall or disable them as follows:

4. Launch Outlook from the Windows search bar as illustrated below.

search outlook in windows search bar and click on open

5. Click on File tab as shown.

click on File menu in the Outlook application

6. Select Options as highlighted below.

select or click on options in File menu in outlook

7. Go to Add-ins tab in the left and then click on GO… button next to Manage: COM Add-ins, as shown.

select Add-ins menu option and click on GO button in Outlook Options. How to Fix Outlook App Won’t Open in Windows 10 PC

8A. Here, click on the Remove button to remove the desired Add-ins.

select Remove in COM Add ins to delete add ins in Outlook options. How to Fix Outlook App Won’t Open in Windows 10 PC

8B. Or, check the box for Desired Add-in and click OK to disable it.

ucheck all COM add ins and click OK. How to Fix Outlook App Won’t Open in Windows 10 PC

Also Read: How to Recover Outlook Password

Method 3: Run Program Compatibility Troubleshooter

The Outlook application is primarily made to run on Microsoft Windows 10, and optimized accordingly. If your PC is on any older Windows version, for example – Windows 8 or 7, you need to run the application in compatibility mode for a smoother experience.

1. Right-click on the Outlook shortcut and select the Properties option, as depicted below.

right click on Outlook app and select Properties

2. Switch to the Compatibility tab in the Outlook Properties window.

3. Uncheck the Run this program in compatibility mode for option and click on Apply > OK.

Uncheck the box next to Run this program in compatibility mode for and click on Apply. Close the window by clicking on OK. How to Fix Outlook App Won’t Open

4. Right-click on Outlook App and choose to Troubleshoot compatibility, as shown.

right click on Outlook and select Troubleshoot Compatibility. How to Fix Outlook App Won’t Open in Windows 10 PC

5. Now, the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter will try to detect any potential issues.

Outlook Program Compatibility Troubleshooter. How to Fix Outlook App Won’t Open

6. Click Try recommended settings

Click Try recommended settings

Try one of the Top 24 Best Outlook Alternatives if Outlook contniues to cause problems for you.

Method 4: Delete LocalAppData folder

Apps store custom settings and temporary files in an AppData folder which is hidden, by default. This data, if rendered corrupt, can cause a lot of problems like Outlook won’t open in Windows 10. So, delete the same as explained below:

1. Open the Run dialog box as earlier.

2. Type %localappdata% and hit Enter to open the required folder.

Type %localappdata% and hit Enter to open the required folder.

3. Go to the Microsoft folder. Right-click Outlook folder and choose Delete, as depicted below.

go to Microsoft localappdata folder and delete the Outlook folder

4. Restart your PC once and then try to open Outlook.

Also Read: How to Turn Outlook Email Read Receipt On Off

Method 5: Reset Outlook Navigation Pane

A number of reports suggest that Outlook won’t open issue is more prevalent among users who have customized the application navigation pane. So, simply revert Outlook navigation pane to its default state, as follows:

1. Launch the Run dialog box as before.

2. Type outlook.exe /resetnavpane and hit Enter key to reset Outlook navigation pane.

Type outlook.exe resetnavpane and hit Enter key to execute the Run command. How to Fix Outlook App Won’t Open in Windows 10 PC

Method 6: Repair MS Outlook App

Try repairing Outlook using this tool and check if Outlook not opening issue gets resolved.

1. Hit the Windows key, type Control Panel and click on Open.

Type Control Panel in the Windows search bar

2. Set View by > Large icons and click on Programs and Features from the given options.

choose Programs and Features from the list. How to Fix Outlook App Won’t Open

3. Locate the MS Office Suite installed on your PC, right-click on it and click Change, as shown.

right click on Microsoft Office and select Change option in Programs and Features

4. Choose Quick Repair and click on the Repair button to continue, as shown highlighted.

Choose Quick Repair and click on the Repair button to continue.

5. Click on Yes in the User Account Control pop-up that appears.

6. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the repair process.

7. Try to launch Outlook now. If Outlook app won’t open issue persists, choose Online Repair on the How would you like to repair your Office programs window in Step 4.

Also Read: How to Sync Google Calendar with Outlook

Method 7: Repair Outlook Profile

Along with corrupt add-ins, the chances of a corrupt profile prompting Outlook not opening issues are quite high. Some general issues with a corrupt Outlook account can be fixed by using the native Repair option, as explained below:

1. Launch Outlook in Safe Mode as instructed in Method 2.

Note: If you are signed into multiple accounts, choose the problematic account from the drop-down list first.

2. Go to File > Account Settings and choose Account Settings… from the menu, as depicted.

Click on Account Settings and choose Account Settings…

3. Then, in the Email tab, click the Repair… option, as shown.

Go to Email tab and click Repair option. How to Fix Outlook App Won’t Open

4. A repair Window will appear. Follow the on-screen prompts to fix your account.

Method 8: Repair .pst & .ost Files

If the native repair function was unable to fix your profile, it is likely that the .pst file or Personal Storage Table and .ost file associated with the profile has been rendered corrupt. Read our exclusive guide on How to Fix Corrupt Outlook .ost and .pst Data Files to do the same. This should certainly fix Outlook won’t open issue.

Method 9: Create New Outlook Account (Windows 7)

Furthermore, you can create an entirely new profile and launch Outlook using it to avoid all types of issues altogether.

Note: The given steps have been checked on Windows 7 & Outlook 2007.

1. Open Control Panel from Start menu.

2. Set View by > Large icons and click on Mail (Microsoft Outlook).

Open Mail option in Control Panel

3. Now, click on Show profiles… option shown highlighted.

Under the Profiles section, click on Show Profiles… button.

4. Then, click Add button in General tab.

Click on Add… to start creating a new profile.

5. Next, type the Profile Name and click OK.

OK

6. Then, enter desired details (Your Name, Email Address, Password & Retype Password) in the Email Account section. Then, click on Next > Finish.

name

7. Again, repeat Steps 1-4 and click your New account from the list.

8. Then, check Always use this profile option.

click on your new account and select always use this profile option and click on Apply then, OK to save changes

9. Click Apply > OK to save these changes.

Also Read: How to Disable BitLocker in Windows 10

Pro Tip: How to Locate SCANPST.EXE on Windows 10

Note: For some, the required Microsoft Office folder will be present in Program Files instead of Program Files (x86).

Version Path
Outlook 2019 C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16
Outlook 2016 C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16
Outlook 2013 C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office15
Outlook 2010 C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14
Outlook 2007 C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office12

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)

Q1. How do I fix my Outlook app won’t open problem on Windows 10?

Ans. Depending on the exact culprit, you can fix your outlook not opening issues by disabling all add-ins, repairing your Outlook profile and Outlook application, resetting the application navigation pane, disabling compatibility mode, and fixing PST/OST files.

Q2. How do I fix Outlook not opening issue?

Ans. Outlook application may not open if one of the add-ins is problematic, the .pst file associated with your profile is corrupt, or the profile itself has been rendered corrupt. Follow the solutions listed in this guide to resolve the same.

Recommended:  Fix Outlook Password Prompt Reappearing

Hope your Outlook app won’t open problem was resolved by implementing one of the above solutions. Other general fixes include updating Windows and Microsoft Office, running a system file checker scan to repair system files, checking for antivirus and malware files, and contacting Microsoft support. We would love to hear your suggestions and questions via the comment section below.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *