outlook

Outlook Keeps Crashing

Resolution Checklist

  • 1 Start Outlook in Safe Mode
  • 2 Disable Problematic Add-Ins
  • 3 Update Outlook and Windows
  • 4 Repair the Office Installation
  • 5 Reset Outlook Navigation Pane and Views

Outlook Keeps Crashing

If Outlook crashes on startup, freezes during use, or shuts down unexpectedly, the cause is typically a faulty add-in, a corrupted data file, or an outdated version of Office. This guide provides systematic steps to identify and eliminate the source of the crashes.

Step 1: Start Outlook in Safe Mode

Safe Mode launches Outlook with all add-ins disabled and default settings, helping you determine if the crash is caused by a third-party component.

On Windows:

  1. Press Win+R to open the Run dialog.
  2. Type the following and press Enter:
outlook.exe /safe
  1. If Outlook opens successfully in Safe Mode, the crash is caused by an add-in or customization.
  2. If Outlook still crashes in Safe Mode, the problem is likely a corrupted data file or installation — skip to Step 4.

On macOS:

  1. Quit Outlook completely.
  2. Hold the Option key while clicking the Outlook icon in the Dock.
  3. When prompted, select Open in Safe Mode.
  4. If Outlook opens normally, proceed to disable add-ins.

Step 2: Disable Problematic Add-Ins

Add-ins are the most common cause of Outlook crashes.

  1. In Outlook, go to File > Options > Add-Ins.
  2. At the bottom, set the dropdown to COM Add-ins and click Go.
  3. Uncheck all add-ins and click OK.
  4. Restart Outlook normally (not in Safe Mode).
  5. If Outlook no longer crashes, re-enable add-ins one at a time, restarting between each:
    • Enable one add-in
    • Restart Outlook
    • Use it for a few minutes
    • If it crashes, that add-in is the culprit
  6. Common add-ins that cause crashes:
    • Adobe Acrobat PDFMaker
    • Skype Meeting Add-in (outdated versions)
    • iCloud Outlook Add-in
    • Third-party antivirus email scanning plugins
  7. Once identified, update the problematic add-in or leave it disabled.

Step 3: Update Outlook and Windows

Running outdated software is a frequent source of instability.

  1. Open Outlook and go to File > Office Account > Update Options > Update Now.
  2. Allow Office to download and install all available updates.
  3. If Outlook crashes before you can access the menu, update from the command line:
"C:\Program Files\Common Files\microsoft shared\ClickToRun\OfficeC2RClient.exe" /update user
  1. Also update Windows:
    • Go to Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates
    • Install all available updates, including optional driver updates
  2. On macOS, open Microsoft AutoUpdate (search Spotlight for it) and install all pending Office updates.
  3. Restart your computer after updating and test Outlook.

Step 4: Repair the Office Installation

A corrupted Office installation can cause persistent crashes that updates cannot fix.

  1. Close all Office applications.
  2. On Windows, go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
  3. Find Microsoft Office or Microsoft 365, click the three-dot menu, and select Modify.
  4. Select Quick Repair and click Repair.
  5. If the crash persists after Quick Repair, repeat and choose Online Repair:
    • Online Repair re-downloads and reinstalls all Office components
    • This requires an internet connection and may take 20–30 minutes
  6. On macOS, download the latest Outlook installer from https://office.com and install over the existing version.
  7. After repair, restart your computer and open Outlook.

Step 5: Reset Outlook Navigation Pane and Views

A corrupted navigation pane configuration file can cause Outlook to crash immediately on launch.

  1. Close Outlook completely.
  2. Press Win+R and run:
outlook.exe /resetnavpane
  1. If Outlook opens, the navigation pane configuration was the problem.
  2. To also reset folder views that may be corrupted:
outlook.exe /cleanviews
  1. Other useful reset switches:
    • /resetfoldernames — restores default folder names (Inbox, Sent Items, etc.)
    • /resettodobar — clears the To-Do bar if it is causing crashes
    • /cleanreminders — clears and regenerates reminders
  2. If none of these resolve the crash, consider creating a new Outlook profile as described in the Outlook Profile Cannot Load troubleshooting guide.