7 Best Ways to Fix Microsoft Outlook Not Working in Windows 11

Microsoft recently redesigned all the Office 365 apps on Windows 11. However, it seems the company has yet to address the stability issue in the update. At times, the preferred email app for Microsoft 365 users – Microsoft Outlook fails to open or stops responding altogether. Here are the ways to fix Microsoft Outlook not working in Windows 11.

1. Restart Microsoft Outlook

Similarly, how we reboot the Windows OS to fix minor software glitches, you can do the same for installed apps to troubleshoot misbehaves. Use the Task Manager and restart Outlook from the scratch.

Step 1: Right-click on the Windows key and open the Task Manager menu.

Step 2: Find Microsoft Outlook under the Apps menu. Select it.

Step 3: Click on the End task button at the bottom.

Windows 11 will completely close Outlook processes on the computer. Try to open the app again.

2. Run Outlook in Safe Mode

Are you using Microsoft Outlook with too many third-party add-ons and plugins? You can try running Outlook in the safe mode to disable add-ons and customizations.

If you can start Outlook in the safe mode, the problem lies with the add-ins. Go through the steps below.

Step 1: Press Windows + R keys and open the Run menu.

Step 2: Type outlook.exe /safe and hit the OK button.

If this trick isn’t working, you can press the Ctrl key and click on the Outlook icon on the desktop, taskbar, or start menu.

Step 3: Microsoft will confirm your decision to start the app in safe mode. Click Yes.

If the Outlook app is working fine in safe mode, you need to disable plugins to remove such obstacles in the future.

Step 1: From the Outlook app, select File at the top.

Step 2: Select Options from the side menu.

Step 3: Click on Add-ins.

Step 4: Select Go beside the Manage COM Add-ins.

Step 5: Disable irrelevant add-ins from the following menu and select OK.

Restart the Outlook app. If you need a specific add-in for your workflow, you can go to the same Add-ins menu and enable the plugin.

3. Update Outlook App

Once you access the Outlook app in safe mode, you can update the app to the latest version to fix any issues.

First, you can follow the steps in the second method to run the Outlook app in safe mode and then go through the instructions below to update the app.

Step 1: Open Outlook and click on the File button at the top.

Step 2: Select Office account and click on Office updates.

Step 3: Expand Update options and select Update Now.

It will take some time for Outlook to install pending updates. You can minimize the app and continue with your work.

4. Repair Microsoft Office

Microsoft Outlook is a part of the Office package that you install on your computer. If the app is not working, you can repair Office from the Windows settings menu.

Step 1: Press Windows + I key, and open Windows settings.

Step 2: Go to the Apps menu and select Apps & features.

Step 3: Scroll down to Microsoft 365 and click on the three-dot menu beside it.

Step 4: Go to Modify and select Quick Repair from the following menu.

Step 5: Let Windows repair the Office app and try opening the Outlook app again.

5. Delete Outlook Data Files

This one is for Outlook power users. Over time, you might have filled up Outlook database with too much cache data and files. You don’t need to manually delete messages; you can reduce the overall Outlook data file.

Step 1: Open Outlook and go to the File tab at the top.

Step 2: From the Info tab, expand the Account Settings menu.

Step 3: Select Account Settings and click on Data Files from the following menu.

Step 4: Double-click on your primary account and go to the Advanced tab.

Step 5: Select Outlook Data File Settings.

Step 6: Click on the Compact Now button and hit OK at the bottom.

Close the Microsoft Outlook app (refer to the first method) completely and see if the app is working as expected or not.

6. Reset Microsoft Office

If none of the tricks are working to resolve Outlook problems on Windows 11, you need to reset the Office app. Do note that the move will delete all the app data and you will have to set up email accounts again in the Outlook app.

Step 1: Launch Windows Settings and go to the Apps menu.

Step 2: Select Apps & features.

Step 3: Scroll down to Microsoft Office and click on the three-dot menu beside the app name.

Step 4: Click on Advanced options.

Step 5: Select the Reset button from the following menu.

7. Update Windows

Outdated Windows build on your computer can give you troubles with Office apps, including Microsoft Outlook.

Open Windows Settings and head to the Windows Update menu to install the latest Windows 11 version.

Make Outlook Up and Running in Windows 11

Microsoft Outlook not working on Windows 11 can force you to opt for the Outlook web app to manage emails. It’s not the most convenient method and doesn’t offer the same experience as the native app.