Microsoft Outlook is one of the most popular desktop email programs among users. It has more than numerous features to make the emailing experience of the users effortless. While usually Outlook functions uninterruptedly, however, sometimes a user may find one or the other problem with their Outlook app. As the problems can be varied, it can be a bit difficult to overcome them. Below, you can find the solution most common issues that Outlook users experience in their email programs.
Guide to Fix Common Hotmail Problems
NOTE:
- Microsoft rebranded the Hotmail services to Outlook.com a few years back. The introduction of Outlook.com provided an option for Hotmail users to move to the new email platform.
- The below-mentioned solutions are based on the Windows 10 operating system.
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Fixing ‘Processing’ Message Error
If you find your Outlook email program getting stuck at the loading page with the “Processing” message, you will need to close the program and open it in safe mode and then close it. Below are the steps you will need to follow.
- On your computer, press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run
- In the Run command box, you will need to type the following command and press Enter key on your keyboard to begin Outlook in safe mode: exe /safe
- Next, you will need to click on the OK
- Then, close the Outlook (Safe Mode) app on your system.
Once you are done completing the steps, launch the app normally one more time, and Outlook should no longer get stuck with the “Processing” error message.
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Install Windows 10 and Office Updates
Although Windows 10 and MS Office usually receive and install updates automatically, however sometimes due to some missing patches, you may find some of the applications to be not performing properly. If you find your Outlook not working as expected, you may want to check that your device has the latest updates installed on it.
To make sure that Windows 10 is up-to-date, do the following:
- Open the Settings app on your Windows 10 computer.
- In the Settings section, you will need to click on the Update & Security
- Then, click on the Windows Update
- After that, you will need to click on the Check for updates
Installing MS Office Updates
To check for Office updates, do the following:
- Open the Outlook program on your computer.
- Next, click on the File
- Then, you will need to click on the Office Account.
- After that, click on the Update Options button located on the right side and then on the Update Now
NOTE: If you don’t see the Update Now option, you may need to click on the Enable Updates first option.
Once you are done completing the steps, you will need to close the “You’re up to date!” options dialog, or simply follow the on-screen prompts to install new updates (if available).
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Fixing Outlook Reinstalling Office
Sometime Outlook may not respond or experience issues due to installation issues. Fortunately, MS Office comes with a repair utility to fix common issues with the set of applications. To repair the installation using the repair utility, you will first need to close any Office application running, and follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app on your Outlook program.
- Next, you will need to click on the Apps
- Then, select the Apps & features option and click on the Office installation
NOTE: The name of the installation could be different depending on the edition you have installed on your system.
- After that, click on the Modify button and select the repair option:
- Quick Repair: This repair tool helps in clearing most of the issues using repairing files stored on your device to repair the Office.
- Online Repair (Recommended): It helps in resolving any issues with Office, however, it requires you to have an internet connection to download the necessary files to repair your Office apps.
- Select the desired option from the given ones on your screen and click on the Repair button.
After you are done completing the steps, the repair tool will perform a clean reinstallation of the Office. Once the process will get completed, you should be able to use the Outlook 2016 application as usual, without any problem.
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Fixing Outlook Data Files
If even after performing the installation repairing process, if you are still experiencing issues with your Outlook program, the problem could be occurring with the Outlook data files.
Outlook 2016 is known for using two types of data files – Offline Outlook File (.ost) and the Outlook Data File (.pst). Depending on the type of account you have configured to store offline copies of your emails, contacts, calendars, and other items, Outlook uses these data files. If ever these files don’t work due to any reason, you can use the Office Inbox Repair Tool to scan and repair the files to clear issues with your Outlook program.
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Create a New Outlook profile
A profile configured on your Outlook program is known for carrying a lot of settings that are responsible for managing the behavior of the application. If the problem persists even after following the above workarounds, there is a possibility that the profile might be damaged or a misconfiguration of profile might be causing the problem.
To know how to create a new profile, close the Outlook program, and do the following:
- Open the Control Panel on your system.
- Next, you will need to click on the User Accounts
- Then, click on the Mail option and select the Show Profiles
- After that, click on the Add button and enter a descriptive name for the profile under “Profile name”.
- Finally, click on the OK
- Enter the email address and password of your primary account configured earlier on Outlook and click on the Next
- After that, follow the on-screen directions further (if any) and click on the Finish
- Next, go to the “General” tab in the “Show Profiles” section and select the Prompt for a profile to be used
- Then, click on the Apply button and then on the OK
- After that, Open Outlook program and use the “Profile Name” drop-down menu.
- Select the New Profile option and click on the OK
Once you are done completing the instructions, it may take some time for Outlook to load with the new profile. Once it opens up on your screen, if you are no longer experiencing any problems with your Outlook program, the issue might be related to your old profile. You will need to delete it.
To Delete a Profile
In order to delete the old damaged profile, close the Outlook program, and do the following:
- Open Control Panel option on your computer.
- Next, click on the User Accounts option and select the Mail
- Then, you will need to click on the Show Profiles
- After that, select the old profile option, click on the Remove button, and then click on the Yes to confirm the option to complete the deletion.
- Then, make sure to select Always use this profile option, click on the Apply button, and then on the OK