While Microsoft offers a feature-rich Outlook desktop app on Windows, it’s not void of issues. Glitches like Outlook not opening or showing email body or content can break your workflow. Especially, when you are waiting for an important email to arrive. Here are the best ways to fix Outlook not displaying email content.
Several factors can affect your ideal Outlook experience on Windows. The issue can appear due to a corrupt add-on, a sketchy internet connection, a high amount of cache, and more. Without further ado, let’s get started.
1. Check Other Emails
First, you should make sure that the person hasn’t accidentally sent a blank email. You should ask the recipient the same and wait for their reply. If the blank email issue is widespread on all emails, continue with the troubleshooting tricks below.
2. Check the Network Connection
Before we go with advanced options, make sure to check the network connection on your PC. You should connect to a robust high-speed Wi-Fi network and try loading Outlook again. If your computer has Wi-Fi issues, read our dedicated guide to fix the problem.
3. Disable the ‘Work Offline’ Feature
Outlook comes with an offline feature to stop internet connectivity in the app. If you have accidentally enabled the ‘Work Offline’ feature and forget to turn it off, the email body or content may not show up.
Step 1: Open Outlook on Windows.
Step 2: Click Send / Receive tab at the top.
Step 3: Disable the ‘Work Offline’ option.
Restart Outlook and try loading the email content again.
4. Run Outlook in ‘Safe Mode’
You can run Outlook in the safe mode and ensure that none of the add-ins are affecting the app on the desktop.
Step 1: Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run menu.
Step 2: Type ‘outlook.exe/safe’ and hit Enter.
Step 3: Try loading an email in Outlook.
If the app works fine, one of the installed add-ins is the main culprit here.
5. Remove Outlook Add-ins
If your Outlook desktop has several add-ins installed, they may affect your email experience. You should check them and remove unnecessary add-ins.
Step 1: Open Outlook and click File in the top left corner.
Step 2: Open Options.
Step 3: Select ‘Add-ins’ from the sidebar. Click Go.
Step 4: Select an add-in and click Remove.
Repeat the same for all the irrelevant Outlook add-ins, and you are good to go.
6. Change Outlook Font Color
If the Outlook message body is set to white color, you may face issues with checking the message content in a light theme. You should change the content color back to Black. Here’s what you need to do.
Step 1: Open Outlook and go to File > Options.
Step 2: Select Mail from the sidebar.
Step 3: Scroll to ‘Stationery and fonts’.
Step 4: Select Font under ‘Composing and reading plain text messages’.
Step 5: Expand Font colors and select Black. Click OK.
Restart Outlook and try loading an email body again.
7. Compress Outlook Data Files
You need to compress Outlook data files on an affected email account and try again. Here’s what you need to do.
Step 1: Launch Outlook and click File in the top left corner.
Step 2: Expand Account Settings and select the same from the drop-down menu.
Step 3: Move to the Data Files menu.
Step 4: Double-click on an affected email address.
Step 5: Select Compact Now.
Try loading an email content, and it should display the message.
8. Clear Outlook Cache
A corrupt Outlook cache often leads to issues like the app not showing email body or content. You should clear the Outlook cache on Windows and try again.
Step 1: Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run menu.
Step 2: Move to the following path and hit Enter.
%localappdata%\Microsoft\Outlook
Step 3: Open the RoamCache folder. Select all files from the following menu.
Step 4: Right-click on them and delete cache files.
9. Update Outlook
An outdated Outlook app can be the main reason behind the app not showing email body or content. You should update Outlook to the latest version using the steps below.
Step 1: Launch Outlook and click File at the top.
Step 2: Open Account and expand Update options.
Step 3: Select Update Now and install the latest Outlook build on your computer.
10. Try a New Outlook Version
Microsoft is working on a new web-based ‘One Outlook’ client. You can enable the ‘Try new Outlook’ toggle in the top-right corner, restart the app, and give the new Outlook version a try.
Access Your Important Emails
Outlook not showing email body or content can waste your productivity hours. The tips above should take care of such issues in no time.
