Why does my Outlook keep freezing up.

Question

Outlook will work briefly but then will freeze up (Not Responding) and won't shut down unless I use the End Task. After that hard close Outlook won't save the emails moved to folders.

Answer 1

Hi @Steven McKnight

Thank you for posting your question in the Q&A Forum. 

I understand how frustrating it can be when Outlook freezes and emails you move aren’t saved. This is often caused by add-ins, your profile, or local data files. To help resolve this, please try the following steps:

1. Start Outlook in Safe Mode

• Press Windows Key + R, type outlook.exe /safe, and press Enter.
• If Outlook runs normally in Safe Mode: Go to File > Options > Add-ins > COM Add-ins > Go… and uncheck all add-ins, then re-enable them one by one to find the one causing the issue.

2. Create a New Outlook Profile

• Open Control Panel > Mail (Microsoft Outlook) > Show Profiles > Add.
• Name the new profile (e.g., “Test Profile”) and add your email account.
• Select “Ask for a profile to be used” when starting Outlook, then launch Outlook using the new profile.

3. Rebuild the Outlook Data File (.OST)

• Close Outlook completely.
• Press Windows Key + R, type %localappdata%\Microsoft\Outlook, and press Enter.
• Locate your account’s .ost file, right-click, and rename it (e.g., add .old at the end).
• Restart Outlook. A new healthy data file will be created automatically and your emails will resync.

For a more detailed checklist on Outlook performance, please refer to this official guide: How to troubleshoot performance issues in Outlook - Microsoft Support

Once you’ve tried these steps, please let us know whether Outlook still freezes or if the behavior changes in Safe Mode or with the new profile. This will help us determine the next steps.

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Answer 2

Outlook freezing and showing a "Not Responding" message can be caused by several factors. Here are some potential reasons and solutions:

1. Corrupted Outlook Data Files: If your Outlook data files are corrupted, it can lead to freezing issues. You can use the Inbox repair tool (scanpst.exe) to scan and repair your Outlook data files.
2. Antivirus Software Conflicts: Sometimes, antivirus software can interfere with Outlook's functionality. Ensure that your antivirus software is up-to-date and consider disabling any integration with Outlook to see if that resolves the issue.
3. Profile Issues: Creating a new user profile in Outlook can help resolve issues related to your current profile.
4. Repair Office Programs: If the above steps do not resolve the issue, you can try repairing your Office installation through the Control Panel.
5. Windows Updates: Ensure that your Windows operating system is up-to-date, as updates can fix bugs that may be causing Outlook to freeze.

If you continue to experience issues, you may want to consult Microsoft support for further assistance.

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References:

• Outlook not responding error or Outlook freezes when you open a file or send mail