Why Microsoft Outlook Keeps Crashing & How to Fix It

Why Does Outlook Crash When Opening?

“Microsoft Outlook 365 Keeps Crashing” is a common issue that many users experience in both older and newer Outlook versions. whether using an older or the latest version. Before knowing the solutions to fix it, it is important to figure out its causes. Mentioned below are some of the common reasons:

• An oversized mailbox can slow down Outlook and lead to crashes.
• A virus or Malware can also corrupt files and disrupt Outlook’s functionality.
• Moreover, certain incompatible add-ins might be causing instability.
• Sometimes, damaged PST or OST files can cause Microsoft Outlook to keep closing.
• Running an outdated version of Outlook can lead to compatibility issues and bugs.

Quick Answer: Solve Outlook That Keeps Crashing on a Startup?

Outlook usually crashes when opening because of corrupted PST files, faulty add-ins, outdated Outlook versions, oversized mailboxes, or damaged Outlook profiles. Identifying the exact reason helps users apply the correct troubleshooting method quickly.

Method 01: Start Outlook in Safe Mode

Safe Mode disables unnecessary add-ins and helps identify whether extensions are causing the crash. Steps to Open Outlook in Safe Mode

1. Press Windows + R.
2. Type Outlook.exe /safe. Press Enter.
3. Check whether Outlook opens properly.

Method 02: Disable Faulty Add-ins

Some third-party add-ins conflict with Outlook processes and cause startup crashes. Steps to Disable Outlook Add-ins:

1. Firstly, open Outlook in Safe Mode.
2. Click File > Options > Add–ins.
3. Select COM Add-ins and click Go.
4. Uncheck unnecessary add-ins.
5. Restart Outlook normally.

Method 03: Repair Outlook Data Files

Damaged PST or OST files are one of the biggest reasons Outlook keeps crashing repeatedly. Microsoft provides an inbuilt Inbox Repair Tool called ScanPST.exe to repair corrupted Outlook files. Steps to Repair PST File:

1. Close Microsoft Outlook.
2. After that, open ScanPST.exe.
3. Browse the PST file location. Click Start.
4. Choose Repair after scanning.

Method 04: Create a New Outlook Profile

A corrupted Outlook profile can prevent Outlook from loading properly. Steps to Create a New Profile:

1. Open the Control Panel and click Mail.
2. Select Show Profiles. Click Add.
3. Create a new Outlook profile.
4. Then, configure your email account.
5. Set the new profile as the default.

Method 05: Update Microsoft Outlook

Older Office versions may contain bugs that trigger Outlook crashes after Windows updates or mailbox synchronization. Steps to Update Outlook:

1. Open Outlook.
2. Now, click File > Office Account.
3. Select Update Options.
4. Click Update Now.

Method 06: Disable Antivirus Temporarily

Sometimes antivirus software blocks Outlook background processes or email synchronization. Temporarily disabling antivirus protection helps users identify whether the security application is causing the crash. If Outlook works normally afterward, users should update or reconfigure the antivirus settings.

Professional Tool to Fix Outlook Crashes When Opening

DRS PST File Recovery is the best solution to repair corrupt or damaged PST files as well as recover all their data. A PST file is a centralized file for storing all Outlook data, including emails, Contacts, Calendars, and more. If it becomes corrupted or damaged, there is a risk of data loss in Outlook. Therefore, using this tool, you can repair corrupt PST files without ScanPST without any complicated steps. Moreover, it provides an effective result in no time. No matter what level of PST corruption is, the tool has three recovery modes to recover even heavily damaged files.

Simple Steps to Repair Corrupt PST Files:

1. Download and install the DRS PST Recovery Tool.
2. Click on Open to add your corrupted or damaged PST files.
3. Choose Recovery Modes and other options. Click OK.
4. Then, preview all your recovered PST files and click Save.
5. Lastly, choose the Saving Format from the given options.

Key Feature of the Professional Tool

• Repair severely corrupted PST files with 100% accuracy.
• Preserve folder hierarchy, structure, and formatting.
• This tool helps when the import and export option in Outlook is unavailable.
• Compatible with all Windows and Mac versions.
• A free version of this tool is available to evaluate its features.

Conclusion

Outlook crashes when opening is a common issue that can occur because of corrupted data files, faulty add-ins, damaged profiles, or outdated Office versions. In many cases, simple troubleshooting methods like Safe Mode, add-in removal, or PST repair can resolve the problem quickly. However, if the Outlook data file becomes damaged, using a professional PST recovery solution is the safest option to restore the mailbox without data loss.

Frequently Asked Questions