How Do I Fix Microsoft Outlook Not Responding Error With Simple Tips & Tricks?

There are various reasons why Microsoft Outlook may stop responding including issues like corrupted or oversized Outlook data files. In this detailed tutorial, we’ll explore the common causes behind the Microsoft Outlook not responding error and provide practical solutions to resolve the issue. Additionally, you can download an advanced Outlook repair tool that can repair corrupt or damaged Outlook data files, and even split large PST files into smaller ones to prevent further errors.

Outlook is one of the most widely used and versatile business email clients, trusted by organizations of all sizes around the globe. However, like any software, Microsoft Outlook is not immune to bugs and technical issues.

As a user, dealing with these common MS Outlook problems can be frustrating, especially when Outlook stops responding or encounters an error that prevents it from working properly. One of the most frequent issues is the Microsoft Outlook not responding error, which can disrupt your workflow.

To help you resolve this issue, we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide that provides answers to your questions and offers effective solutions for fixing the MS Outlook not responding error.

Why is Microsoft Outlook Not Responding and How Does It Impact Users?

When Microsoft Outlook stops responding, it often freezes or gets stuck, preventing you from performing essential tasks. This issue can arise when the system runs low on resources like RAM, storage, or processor power, resulting in a resource deadlock. Even systems with decent hardware configurations may experience this issue if the Outlook data file becomes too large, exceeding the recommended size of around 20 GB.

Outlook attempts to complete the operation, but when it fails, the application displays the “Not Responding” message on its title bar. This problem is common not only with Outlook but also with other applications on a Windows machine. While it may seem frustrating, often the best option is to simply wait for the application to recover.

However, when this issue occurs in Outlook, the stakes are much higher. You could be in the middle of an important conversation with a potential client or waiting for crucial updates, like security notifications. When Outlook becomes unresponsive, the entire screen may turn translucent, with the “Microsoft Outlook not responding” message appearing on the title bar.

This issue can arise due to several reasons, including:

• Low system resources (RAM, storage, CPU)
• An oversized or large Outlook data file (.pst) or mailbox
• Corruption or errors in the PST file
• Faulty or damaged add-ins
• A corrupted Outlook profile
• Missing or damaged Outlook or MS Office program files
• System crashes
• Abrupt shutdown of the system or application
• Forceful termination of Outlook

Understanding these causes can help you pinpoint the problem and work towards a solution effectively.

Solutions to Resolve the “Outlook Not Responding” Error

If you’re facing the Outlook not responding error, you can follow these troubleshooting steps to resolve the issue and improve Outlook’s performance across various versions (2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021).

1. Close Outlook and Related Processes Using Task Manager

If Outlook is stuck and not responding, a previous Outlook process might still be running in the background, blocking the new instance from launching properly. To fix this, you’ll need to terminate any lingering Outlook processes through the Task Manager.

Here’s how you can do it:

• Tick the CTRL + ALT + DEL and select Task Manager.
• Go to the Processes tab and search for any processes named outlook.exe.
• Select each process related to Outlook and click on the End Task button in the bottom-right corner of Task Manager.

After you’ve ended the processes, restart Outlook and check if it works properly. If the issue persists, proceed with the next steps.

2. Identify and Remove Faulty Outlook Add-Ins

Outlook add-ins are designed to enhance functionality, but sometimes they can interfere with the app’s normal performance. Faulty or incompatible add-ins can trigger the Outlook not responding error. Here’s how to identify and remove them:

• Start Outlook in Safe Mode by holding down the Ctrl key and clicking on the Outlook icon, or press Windows + R, type outlook.exe /safe, and hit Enter. Safe Mode starts Outlook without loading any add-ins or customizations.
• Once Outlook opens in Safe Mode, test it by sending/receiving emails or performing other tasks to check if the error still occurs. If Outlook works fine in Safe Mode, the issue is likely due to one or more add-ins.
• To identify the problematic add-in: Go to File > Options > Add-ins or At the bottom of the window, click Go next to Manage: COM Add-ins.
• In the Add-ins dialog, uncheck one add-in at a time, and restart Outlook after each change to see if it resolves the issue. If Outlook starts responding correctly after disabling a particular add-in, that add-in is the culprit. Remove or disable it permanently to fix the issue.

3. Disable Antivirus Software

Antivirus programs are designed to protect your system from various threats, but they may sometimes interfere with the normal functioning of Outlook. Some antivirus software scans all incoming and outgoing emails, which can cause issues with Outlook’s performance. Additionally, the antivirus may flag certain add-ins as untrustworthy and block them, leading to Outlook freezing or crashing.

To troubleshoot this, follow these steps:

• Go to Control Panel and temporarily disable your antivirus software.
• Restart Outlook and check if it fixes the problem.

If Outlook works fine after disabling the antivirus, you can avoid future conflicts by adding Outlook and its trusted add-ins to the antivirus’s list of safe applications. Alternatively, you may consider using an Outlook-aware antivirus program to minimize conflicts with the application.

4. Organize and Archive Your Emails

For smooth performance, Outlook needs regular organization and maintenance. Over time, a cluttered mailbox can slow down the application and lead to errors. To keep Outlook running efficiently, organize your emails into appropriate folders and subfolders, rather than letting them accumulate in a single folder.

5. Reduce the Outlook Data File Size

Outlook stores data in PST (Personal Storage Table) files, and when these files grow too large, they can become prone to corruption, resulting in performance issues. Microsoft recommends keeping PST files under 10 GB for optimal performance. However, files approaching 20 GB may begin to cause problems.

To prevent issues related to large PST files, follow these steps:

• Delete unnecessary emails and empty the Deleted Items folder.
• Archive older emails by transferring them to a local PST file, freeing up space in the active Outlook data file.
• Use the Compact feature in Outlook to compress and shrink your PST file, removing any unused space.

Reducing the size of your data files helps maintain Outlook’s performance and prevents the Outlook not responding error.

6. Repair and Update Outlook

If none of the previous solutions work, the issue may lie with the Outlook installation itself. To fix this, you can repair your Outlook program by following these steps:

• Open Control Panel and navigate to Programs.
• Search MS Office in the list of installed programs.
• Right-click on it and select Change.
• Choose Repair and click Continue.
• Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the repair process.

After repairing Outlook, ensure your installation is up-to-date by checking for service packs or other updates. Install any missing updates to further improve performance and fix bugs.

7. Repair MS Office Programs

If the problem persists, try repairing your entire Microsoft Office suite, as Outlook is part of this package. To do so:

• Open Control Panel.
• Under Programs, click on Uninstall a program.
• Pick the appropriate edition of Microsoft Office from the list.
• Click Change, then choose Repair > Continue.
• Follow the on-screen instructions to repair Office.

Once the repair is complete, restart Outlook and check if the Outlook not responding error is resolved.

8. Repair Outlook PST Data File

A damaged, corrupt, or oversized Outlook PST data file can lead to severe performance issues, frequent freezing, and the Outlook not responding error. To repair such PST files, you can use the built-in ScanPST tool (Inbox Repair Tool). Follow these steps:

• Close Outlook completely.
• Locate and run ScanPST.exe (Inbox Repair Tool) from the default location: %localappdata%\Microsoft\Outlook.
• Hit the Browse and pick the PST file you wish to repair.
• Click Start to begin scanning the PST file.
• Once the scan is complete, click the Repair button to fix any errors.
• After the repair process finishes, restart Outlook.

If ScanPST fails to repair the file, especially for large or severely corrupt PST files, you can use a more advanced tool like BitData Migration PST Converter Tool. This software is designed to handle large or corrupt PST files, repairing them with full integrity. After the repair, you can save your data into a new PST file and import it into your existing Outlook profile to regain access to your emails.

9. Create a New Outlook Profile

If your Outlook profile is corrupt, it could cause frequent issues, including the Outlook not responding error. To resolve this, you can create a new profile and start fresh. Here’s how:

• Go to Control Panel and click on Mail.
• Select Show Profiles.
• Choose the profile you want to remove and click Remove.
• Click Add to create a new profile.
• Enter a name for the new profile and tick OK.
• Provide your email account details (email and password) and click Next to configure the profile.
• After setting up the new profile, open Outlook. This will also generate a new PST file at the default location.

This should resolve the error if it was caused by a corrupt profile.

Important Note: Removing the current profile will also remove the linked PST file, so be sure to back up your PST before creating a new profile.

Final Thoughts

The Microsoft Outlook not responding error is frustrating, but it’s not impossible to fix. With several potential causes from corrupt PST files to issues with add-ins identifying the source of the problem can be challenging. Try the above solutions to determine which one resolves the issue.

If none of these solutions work, your PST file may be severely corrupted. In such cases, using a reliable repair tool like Outlook Converter can be your best option. This tool can fix issues within your corrupt PST and extract all your data, allowing you to store it in a new PST file that can be directly imported into Outlook. Additionally, the software offers a demo version that lets you evaluate its functionality and see how it can fix your PST file before deciding to purchase the full version. This allows you to check the tool’s effectiveness in repairing your file without making any commitments.