Outlook is one of the most preferred email clients for Windows users. However, like any other app or service, it is not foolproof. One of them is that the Outlook application refuses to open in Windows 11.
In this post, we have compiled a list of solutions that will get the Outlook application running in no time. So let’s check it out.
1. Open Outlook in Safe Mode
If you are using add-ins in Outlook to enhance their functionality, one of them may be preventing Outlook from opening normally. To verify this, you can try to start Outlook in Safe Mode.
Hold down the CTRL key and double-click the Outlook shortcut to start Outlook in Safe Mode.
Windows will display a prompt asking if you want to start Outlook in safe mode. Click Yes to confirm.
If Outlook is working properly in Safe Mode, you need to disable all add-ins and restart the application. Here’s how.
Stage 1: Click on the File menu at the top.
Step 2: Use the left pane to go to Options.
Stage 3: In the Outlook Options window, switch to the Add-ins tab. Use the drop-down menu next to Manage and select COM Add-ins. Then click the Go button next to it.
Step 4: Uncheck the boxes to disable add-ons and click OK.
2. Repair Microsoft Office
If you cannot open Outlook even in Safe Mode, you can refer to the Microsoft Office repair tool for help.
Stage 1: Press Windows key + R to launch the Run dialog, type appwiz.cpl and press Enter.
Step 2: In the Programs and Features window, find Microsoft Office Suite or Microsoft 365. Right click on it and choose Modify.
Stage 3: Select Online Repair or Repair and click the Repair button to continue.
After completing the repair, see if you can open Outlook.
3. Disable Compatibility Mode
Compatibility mode in Windows is designed to help you run older programs and software in Windows 11. However, since Outlook is fully optimized for Windows 11, running it in compatibility mode can cause issues like this. Here’s how to disable it.
Select the Outlook shortcut and press Alt + Enter to open Properties. Switch to the Compatibility tab and uncheck ‘Run this program in compatibility mode for’. Click Apply and then OK.
4. Reset Navigation Pane
Sometimes problems with the navigation pane can also prevent the Outlook application from starting correctly. In this case, resetting the navigation pane may help.
Press Windows key + R in the Run dialog to reset the navigation pane in Outlook. Type the following command and press Enter.
outlook.exe /resetnavpane
5. Update Outlook
Typically, Microsoft Office applications are updated automatically. If the update is not complete, you can manually update the Outlook app in Safe Mode.
Stage 1: Hold down the Ctrl key and double-click the Outlook shortcut to open it in Safe Mode. Go to the file menu.
Step 2: Switch to the Office Account tab. Expand Update Options and click Update Now.
If you are unable to start Outlook in Safe Mode, you can try uninstalling and reinstalling the Outlook application instead.
To uninstall Microsoft Outlook, open the Start menu, type Outlook. Right-click on the first search result and select Uninstall.
6. Run SFC Scan
Another reason why you may have problems opening applications and programs in Windows 11 is that the system files on your computer are corrupted. Fortunately, you can repair these system files by running an SFC. Here’s how.
Stage 1: Right-click the start menu icon and select Windows Terminal (administrator) from the menu that appears.
Step 2: Type the command given below and hit Enter.
sfc /scannow
7. Delete the Outlook Application Data folder
If the problem persists, the Outlook application data may be corrupted. To resolve this, you can try to remove Outlook’s application data folder from your computer and reopen Outlook. Here’s how.
Stage 1: Press Windows Key + R to launch the Run dialog, type %localappdata%, and press Enter.
Step 2: Open the Microsoft folder and search for the Outlook Folder.
Stage 3: Select the Outlook folder and click the trash can icon at the top to delete it.
8. Create a new Outlook account
The Outlook profile on your computer contains your Outlook settings. If Windows is having trouble accessing this profile, you can create a new profile and use it to start Outlook.
Stage 1: Click the Search icon from the Taskbar, type control Board and press Enter.
Step 2: Change the view type to icons and click Mail (Microsoft Outlook).
Stage 3: Under Profiles, select Show Profiles.
Step 4: Click the Add button, enter the name of the new profile and click OK.
Step 5: In the Add Account window, enter your account details and hit Next.
Step 6: Once the profile is created, select your new profile under ‘When starting Microsoft Outlook’ and hit Apply.
Check if you can open Outlook.
Open Outlook with Ease
Your Outlook problems shouldn’t keep you from your important emails. The above solutions will help restore the Outlook app to its glory. Let us know which solution worked for you in the comments below.
