my outlook will not open on my laptop

Question

I try starting then it takes me to screens that I click continue and they it just goes back to the same screens over and over.

Answer 1

Hi! Let me help you with this issue.

Have you tried a quick repair?

Press Win + R

Type:

appwiz.cpl

Press Enter

Select Microsoft 365 / Office

Click Change

Choose Quick Repair

Click Repair

Restart your PC when finished

Answer 2

Use these steps in order until Outlook opens normally:

1. Try the Outlook startup troubleshooter (Microsoft 365 for business accounts)
   • If using a Microsoft 365 for business subscription, run the classic Outlook startup troubleshooter from this page and follow the prompts: I can’t start Microsoft Outlook or receive the error “Cannot start Microsoft Outlook. Cannot open the Outlook Window”.
2. Start Outlook in Safe Mode and disable add-ins
   • Press Windows key + R.
   • Type Outlook /safe and select OK.
   • If Outlook opens:
     • Go to File > Options > Add-ins.
     • At the bottom, ensure Manage = COM Add-ins, then select Go.
     • Clear all check boxes to disable all add-ins, then select OK.
     • Close Outlook and start it normally.
     • If it now works, re-enable add-ins one at a time (File > Options > Add-ins > Go) and restart Outlook after each to find the problematic add-in.
   • If Outlook does not start in Safe Mode, continue to the next step.
3. Create a new Outlook profile
   • A corrupted profile can cause Outlook to loop on startup screens.
   • Follow the steps in Create an Outlook profile to create a new profile.
   • Then set Outlook to use the new profile:
     • Start Outlook and, in the Choose Profile dialog, select the new profile and select OK.
   • If Outlook starts normally with the new profile, the old profile is corrupt. Reconfigure accounts in the new profile and keep using it.
4. Repair Outlook data files
   • If Outlook still will not open, repair the data files using the Inbox Repair Tool (scanpst.exe) as described in Repair Outlook Data Files (.pst and .ost).
   • Close Outlook before running the tool.
5. Repair or reinstall Office/Outlook
   • Use Office repair first: follow Repair an Office application to run a Quick Repair, and if needed, an Online Repair.
   • If repair does not help, uninstall and reinstall Office/Outlook as described in I get a "stopped working" error when I start Office applications on my PC.
6. If using the new Outlook for Windows
   • If the issue is with the new Outlook (not classic), clear its local state:
     • Close Outlook.
     • Run olk.exe --clearLocalState from a Run dialog or command prompt.
     • Start the new Outlook again and sign in when prompted.

If Outlook opens but then hangs or crashes frequently, also check the guidance in Outlook won’t open or is stuck at loading profile and disable presence features if applicable.

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References:

• I can’t start Microsoft Outlook or receive the error “Cannot start Microsoft Outlook. Cannot open the Outlook Window”
• Open Outlook in safe mode
• Outlook won’t open or is stuck at loading profile
• Outlook is unable to start in Windows 7 or 8
• I get a "stopped working" error when I start Office applications on my PC
• Cant get into outlook - Microsoft Q&A
• What to do when Outlook will not open on my PC? - Microsoft Q&A
• New Outlook has stopped working, Fails when starting after 30 to 60 seconds - Microsoft Q&A
• Detected a problem launching new Outlook - Microsoft Q&A