My Outlook 2021 crashes about a minute after it launches

Question

I'm running Win 11 on a ThinkStation P3 and recently Outlook 2021 started to crash about a minute after it launches. I don't need to be doing anything - it just locks up. I've deleted all of the COM Add-ins and tried to repair Outlook, but it didn't work. I do NOT want to run cloud-based Outlook mail or Microsoft 365 -- I only use Gmail for disposable mail and local Outlook for everything else. Now it's failing and I can't stop it. I tried installing a license for Office 2024 but that install failed as well, although I was trying to install from a virtual drive with an ISO of the disk and a valid key.

There is no error message - it just locks up. Yes, I tried starting Outlook in Safe Mode multiple times. No joy. Not really sure how to create a new profile and move my 1.2 GB of email over to the new profile.

I'm not a techie - just a retiree trying to get Office to work as it has for a very long time. What do you recommend for me to get POP Outlook working again? I should note all of the other Office 2021 apps seem to work fine.

EL

Answer 1

Open the Settings App, go to Windows Updates - Update History, what is the KB number of the latest updates installed, is KB5074109 installed on your PC?

Answer 2

Thanks, DaveM121. Outlook is back to normal. Appreciate your assistance.

EL

Answer 3

Overcame the Bitlocker problem. Successfully installed KB5077181 today. Now we wait and see if this fixes the Outlook problem. Thanks for your help, DaveM121. So far Outlook hasn't crashed and it's been running for at least 20 minutes. Now, if only I could do something about all that spam. (No, rules don't work very well but we'll keep trying.)

EL

Answer 4

I tried to install the new KB as suggested and the system is now demanding my bitlocker code. As I don't know the code I seem to be locked out. Very frustrating. Yes, I know I can log in to my Microsoft account - but I can't find that login info. Been a long day..... Had to post from my husband's account here as I couldn't post from mine.

EL

Answer 5

It sounds like you're experiencing a frustrating issue with Outlook 2021 crashing. Here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot and potentially resolve the problem:

1. Disable Antivirus Integration: If your antivirus software integrates with Outlook, it can cause performance issues. Consider disabling any Outlook integration within your antivirus software or any add-ins related to it. Be cautious, as changing antivirus settings may expose your PC to risks.
2. Create a New Outlook Profile: Since you mentioned you're not sure how to create a new profile, here are the steps:
   • Go to Control Panel and select Programs.
   • Click on User Accounts and then select Mail.
   • Click on Show Profiles.
   • Select Add to create a new profile and follow the prompts to set it up.
   • After creating the new profile, you can import your emails from the old profile.
3. Delete Specific Folders: You can try deleting certain folders that Outlook uses, which may help resolve the issue. Close all Microsoft applications first, then navigate to:
   • C:\Users\(User Name)\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Olk
   • C:\Users\(User Name)\AppData\Local\Microsoft\OneAuth
   • Delete these folders and restart your computer.
4. Perform a Selective Startup: This can help identify if other applications are causing conflicts. You can do this by running msconfig and selecting Selective startup.
5. Repair Office: If you haven't already, try running an online repair of Office. This can sometimes fix underlying issues.

If these steps do not resolve the issue, you may want to consider reinstalling Office 2021 or reaching out to Microsoft support for further assistance.

---

References:

• Outlook not responding error or Outlook freezes when you open a file or send mail
• What to do when Outlook will not open on my PC?