Microsoft Outlook application offers full email facilities to its users. It also provides the feature of a personal information manager. However, a problem that plagues most users is the application crashing when they try to access their emails. When this happens, people wonder why does Outlook keep crashing? Obviously, when the application crashes, you cannot access it, which further hinders your workflow. If you are also annoyed with this problem and are tired of finding a fix, this article is for you. In the following sections, you will find the various causes of MS Outlook crashing and how you can resolve the problem.
Also Check:- Why Outlook Data File Cannot Be Accessed
Why Does Outlook Keep Crashing?
You might find that MS Outlook crashes randomly. It’s not easy to detect what caused the crash in the first place. The possible reasons for it are as follows:
- Corrupt Outlook PST files – You will find that Outlook behaves in an unusual way when the PST file gets damaged.
- Corrupt Outlook profile – At times, the Outlook profile can get corrupt, which results in a crash.
- Outlook configuration Corrept files – Another cause of the application crashing is corrupt Outlook configuration files like PST or OST.
- Corrupt messages – There can be corrupt emails without original attachments. MS Outlook can crash when it’s opening these emails.
Also Check:- How to Recover Deleted Emails in Outlook
What to Do When MS Outlook Keeps Crashing?
You can fix this issue in various ways. All of them are mentioned with detailed instructions below.
1. Update Your Outlook
If you have a version of Outlook that’s outdated, you will experience it crashing often. You may then wonder why does my Outlook keep crashing? It’s easy to fix this problem. You only need to update your Outlook. Follow these steps to update the application.
- Launch Outlook and tap ‘Files.’
- Tap ‘Office Account’ followed by ‘Update Options.’
- Tap ‘Update Now.’
- Wait for some time till the program detects the current version of Outlook. Now, you can adhere to the onscreen instructions for updating it.
- After it updates, open it again to check if it’s working properly.
2. Make A New MS Outlook Profile
Creating a new profile can also resolve this issue. Navigate to the ‘Control Panel and follow the steps below.
- Select the ‘Mail‘ option and tap on ‘Show Profiles.’
- Now, select the profile you want to remove. Tap the ‘Remove‘ button.
- Now, click the option of ‘Add.’
- Input a particular name for the profile under the dialog box of ‘Profile Name.’
- Here, you need to provide all the needed credentials like passwords, usernames, and SMTP addresses. After this, tap the ‘Next‘ button.
- You’ll see a message allowing the webpage to configure domain server settings.
- Tap on the checkbox that says, ‘Don’t ask me about this website again.’ Then choose the ‘Allow‘ option.
- Input all the relevant login credentials and hit the ‘OK‘ button.
- After the setup completes, tap ‘Finish.’
3. Repair the Outlook Account
Another reason behind Outlook crashes is related to faulty account settings. To confirm the correct account settings, follow these points:
- Open Outlook and tap on ‘File.’
- Next, tap ‘Account Settings.’ Then tap ‘Account Settings in the dropdown.
- Choose your account and hit ‘Repair.’
- Tap ‘Next‘ and adhere to onscreen instructions, so your account repairs.
- Lastly, reopen MS Outlook and check if it is functioning properly.
4. Remove Unwanted Add-Ins
Another often cause of MS Outlook crashing is faulty add-ins. You must remove unnecessary add-ins so that the application can run smoothly. Follow these steps to do so.
- Open MS Outlook. After that, click ‘File.’
- Now tap ‘Options.’
- Follow it by clicking ‘Add-ins.’
- Confirm that you have set the ‘Manage‘ option to ‘COM Add-ins.’ Once you do so, click ‘Go.’
- Uncheck the box that’s beside the unwanted add-ins. It will disable them. Then hit ‘OK.’ Note that certain add-ins are vital for the Outlook application to function. So remember not to uncheck any add-ins you are not aware of.
- Now reopen MS Outlook and see if this technique worked out for you. If you still find this problem, proceed to the next fix.
5. Rebuild Outlook Data Files
Corrupt Outlook data files can also result in this issue. You can rebuild the file by following the steps below.
- Run Outlook and hit the ‘File‘ tab.
- Next, click ‘Account Settings and then click ‘Account Settings in the dropdown.
- Tap the ‘Data Files‘ tab and choose your account. Then tap ‘Open File Location.’
- If you locate a .ost file in the present window, right-tap it and then tap ‘Rename.’ But if you see a .pst file, modify the file name extension to .old.
- Now reopen Outlook and let it rebuild your data file.
- Reopen Outlook and see if your problem is fixed.
6. Reinstall Office 365
Try this method if you find no other options working out for you. to reinstall it, hit the Windows logo key and go over to ‘Control Panel.’
- Tap ‘Category‘ under ‘View by.’ Then hit ‘Uninstall a program.’
- Right-click ‘Microsoft Office 365.’ Follow it by tapping ‘Uninstall.’
- Next, navigate to the official website of Office 365. Once there, click ‘Sign in’ and log in to your account.
- Now tap ‘Install Office.’ After that, click ‘Office 365 apps‘ to download Office 365.
- Launch the downloaded file and adhere to the on-screen guidelines to install Office 365.
- Let the process of installation be complete. After it is finished, open the Outlook application again. Check if it’s working fine.
Final Words
Now you know the answer to why Outlook keeps crashing? Adhere to the various techniques in this article. Follow the step by step. One of them will surely work out for you. The methods are also easy to implement. However, if you cannot follow the instructions yourself, reach out to professional Outlook customer support services. The experts will diagnose and fix all the problems in your application.