Outlook desktop will not open

Question

I have it in my taskbar, but as of yesterday, when I click it, nothing happens. My web one say I have no mail. That's a lie.

Answer 1

Hi, I'm John! I understand how frustrating that can be.

For the Outlook desktop app, when you click the icon, do you see Outlook appear in Task Manager under Processes, or does nothing happen at all?

Also, which Outlook are you using, Classic Outlook or New Outlook?

As for Outlook on the web showing no mail, are you signed in with the same Microsoft account that receives the emails? Sometimes a different account can be signed in without realizing it.

Answer 2

Try these steps in order until Outlook opens again:

1. Check if Outlook is already running but hidden
   • Look at the system tray (notification area) near the clock for the Outlook icon.
   • If the icon is there, right‑click it.
   • If Hide When Minimized is checked, select it again to uncheck it.
   • Then click the Outlook button on the taskbar or reopen Outlook.
2. End any stuck Outlook/Office processes
   • Right‑click the taskbar and select Task Manager.
   • On the Processes tab, look for Outlook and any other Office apps.
   • Select each Outlook/Office process and choose End task.
   • Close Task Manager and try starting Outlook again from the taskbar or Start menu.
3. Start Outlook in Safe Mode
   • Press Windows key + R to open Run.
   • Type: outlook.exe /safe and select OK.
   • If Outlook opens in Safe Mode, disable problematic add‑ins:
     • Select File > Options > Add‑ins.
     • At the bottom, next to Manage, choose COM Add‑ins and select Go.
     • Clear all add‑ins, select OK, close Outlook, then reopen it normally.
4. Reset the navigation pane
   • Close Outlook.
   • Press Windows key + R.
   • Type: Outlook.exe /resetnavpane and select OK.
   • Try opening Outlook again.
5. Create a new Outlook profile (if Outlook still will not open)
   • Follow the steps in Create an Outlook profile to create a new profile.
   • Restart Outlook and, in the Choose Profile dialog, select the new profile.
   • If Outlook opens normally with the new profile, the old profile is likely corrupted.

If Outlook opens but immediately closes or crashes, compare the behavior with the issue described in Outlook closes shortly after it is opened and apply the listed workarounds (sign out/in to Office, adjust the registry value, or disable Support Diagnostics) as appropriate.

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References:

• Outlook application icon missing from the Windows taskbar
• Why does Outlook not appear on the desktop while its process is running in the Task Manager?- EeeKB
• Outlook won’t open or is stuck at loading profile
• I can’t start Microsoft Outlook or receive the error “Cannot start Microsoft Outlook. Cannot open the Outlook Window”
• Outlook closes shortly after it is opened