7 Ways To Fix Outlook Not Responding Issue

7 Ways To Fix Outlook Not Responding Issue

Summary:

In this article, I am going to share some most effective ways to fix Outlook not responding issues. Besides this, you will also get an answer of the most frequently asked question why Outlook keeps not responding.

Let’s know about this particular Outlook keeps not responding to issues with this user experience.

User Experience:

Recently I upgraded my Microsoft Outlook to Outlook 2010 on my Window system, thought that gradation will make lot of advanced features which is compared to the older version but I was wrong and had problems while starting my Outlook profile and when I tried to open it, it does not respond and basically had to restart the system so that the problem could be solved.

Why Outlook Not Responding?

The following are some very common reasons which make Outlook not responding frequently. This consequently results in losing access to your Outlook data file.

  • Due to the corruption of the Outlook 2016 data file
  • As per the damaged Outlook profile
  • Due to the corrupted Outlook 2016 configuration files
  • Commonly due to running useless add-ins
  • Sometimes due to closing the PC hastily
  • Due to sudden power failure can result in Outlook 2016 corruption
  • Virus /malware infection can corrupt the files
  • Hard drive bad sector
  • During creating a new PST file from the previous Outlook version to Outlook 2016
  • Large PST file size

To know how to fix Outlook not responding issue, you need to move onto the next section.

How To Fix Outlook Not Responding Issue?

For a moment, Outlook 2010 PST file may not respond after startup and can see error messages on your PC and leaves the 2010 PST file in a not readable state.

At that moment, without restarting the program, you may follow the methods which are mention below to remove Microsoft Outlook.

Fix 1# Close The Outlook Application From Task Manager

The first solution that should be immediately tried after stucking at Outlook won’t respond like situations; is to close the app from the task manager.

  • The First method you can use by clicking the “Ctrl + Alt+ Delete” button because it brings up the Windows Task Manager.
  • After that click on the “processes” tab so that you can find OUTLOOK.EXE from the list.

close outlook from task manager

  • At last, select OUTLOOK.EXE and hit the button on the “End process”.

Fix 2# End Outlook Application

The second method that you can opt for is ending the outlook application from the system programs.

  •  is by clicking the button on “Start” and then in Programs,
  • After that click Microsoft Office 2010 and then to Office tools.
  • At last in Application Recovery.
  • Select Outlook from the dialog and then select “End application”.

Fix 3# Change The Outlook Compatibility Mode

If your Outlook is not responding due to some issue in the compatibility mode then try the following steps to fix this out:

  • First, Open “Start menu” and then click on “My computer”
  • After that go to “c:/Program Files/Microsoft Office/Office 2010 folder”.
  • Click the right button on the “Outlook.exe” file.

outlook compatibility mode

  • Then go to the “compatibility” tab and uncheck all the boxes below “Compatibility mode”
  • At last click on the “Change settings for all users” button and hit “OK” to save the settings.

outlook compatibility mode 1

Fix 4/# Use Scanpst.Exe Inbuilt Utility Tool (ScanPST.exe)

However, Microsoft Office gives an inbuilt repair application which is called Inbox repair tool or scanpst.exe. By this tool, you can easily fix minor issues that occurred in your Outlook application issues.

You must try the Outlook ScanPST.exe inbuilt utility to fix outlook not responding issue. Follow the steps to make use of this:

  • Very firstly, exit Outlook.
  • Now locate ScanPST.exe on your PC (generally, it is found at <disk drive>:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\<your office version>)

a

  • Double click on ScanPST.exe and browse to locate the PST file that needs to be repaired or else type the location in the box “Enter the name of the file that you want to scan”.

b

  • If you are not known for the location of the PST file, then follow the steps:
  1. Start Outlook and Click File > Info > Account Settings  > Data Files
  2. Write down the path and file name of your .pst file.
  3. Click Close > OK and Exit Outlook
  • Now click on “Start” to begin the repair process.

c1

  • In few seconds the file will be scanned. You will find all the errors and issues shown there if found.

e

Fix 5# Control External Content

Sometimes your Outlook stops working because of the external, resource-heavy content. try the below steps to resolve this issue.

  • Open your Outlook and then go to the File menu.
  • Choose the Options button and then hit the Trust Center option.

Control External Content in outlook

  • go to the Automatic Download and here you have to enable this: “Don’t download pictures or other content automatically in HTML e-mail option” and “Warn me before downloading content when editing, forwarding, or replying e-mail” option.

Control External Content in outlook 1

After this restart your PC to check whether the problem has gone or still persists. Also, try to avoid adding external content within your emails.

Fix 6# Try The Outlook PST Repair Tool

Sometimes, Scanpst.Exe Inbuilt Utility Tool fails to work as it can’t repair severely corrupted Outlook data file. Now only one solution left i.e. to approach for some professional recommended Outlook repair tool.

No doubt there are numerous tools available online but for such a situation I always recommend you all to use a reliable repair tool. After all your whole data is at risk….!

In this context, you can use Outlook PST Repair Tool which is a powerful software to fix your damaged Outlook PST file. The following are some most enhanced feature of this utility program:

  • It recovers all lost elements from Outlook 2010 PST files like emails, calendar items, notes, attachments, tasks, etc.
  • This tool has a highly interactive graphical user interface and is easy to use.
  • Using this tool, you can also fix your password-protected PST files.
  • It supports the repair of corrupted or inaccessible Outlook 2000, 2002, 2003, and 2007 PST files on Windows PC.
  • This software is capable of repairing damaged/broken PST and also OST files.

Steps For Using The Outlook Repair Tool Are Shown Below:

Step 1: You need to download, install, and run the outlook PST repair tool. Then click on ‘select outlook file’ to choose the PST file where you want to work or you may find the specific PST file also.

outlookpsterror1

Step 2: Press “start” to begin scanning, once you have selected the PST file.

outlookpsterror2

Step 3: After completion of scanning, all recovered mailbox folders and other data appear on the left side of the window. You can select the files of your choice from those.

outlookpsterror3

Step 4: After selecting items of your choice you can press “save recovered file” to recover the files on your PC.

outlookpsterror4

Step 5: When your files are saved, a dialogue box appears that confirms that files are saved and also shows the “recovered file size” and “destination path”.

outlookpsterror5

Bonus Tips To Fix Outlook 2019/2016/2013/2010 Not Responding Issue

As we have already discussed that there are so many reasons behind this outlook not responding issue. So, you can try various approaches to fix the issue.

  • Ensure that your Outlook application is not been used by any other process at the same time.
  • Check which add-in is clashing with your Outlook application.
  • Also, check does your mailbox size gets too large. If it is then remove unwanted data from it.
  • Make sure that your anti-virus software doesn’t conflict with the Outlook.
  • Prevent your Outlook application from automatic downloading of external content like images in the email.

Wrap Up:

Hopefully, the above listed manual fix must have resolved your Outlook not responding issue. Apart from that, you can also follow some other repair process like Commonly use Windows update to keep your PC up to date with latest software (Configure Windows to check for updates automatically).

It might happen that the above given manual steps may or may not fix Outlook not responding frequently. But as I have already given alternative software options so you don’t need to bother at all.