Expert Advice for When Microsoft Not Working Anymore

Scott Tarmey

Jan 07, 2023 (Updated: 2023-02-20 18:26:31)

0 views, 5 min read

It can be frustrating when Microsoft Office not responding properly. Whether it's Outlook crashing, Office freezing, or a general malfunction, it can interrupt your workflow and cause a lot of stress.

Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to fix the issue and get Microsoft back up and running smoothly. Each one involves only a basic knowledge of computers, so anyone can use these tips to get their email, calendar, notes, and tasks working again in Microsoft Office.

If you're having issues with Microsoft Outlook not working and it's refusing to function properly, you can try a few steps to fix the problem. Here's a quick overview of how to troubleshoot and fix Microsoft Outlook when it decides to cause you problems:

1. Use Safe Mode to Remove Add-Ins

One common cause of Outlook crashing is the presence of add-ins that are causing conflicts or are not compatible with the program. To troubleshoot this issue, try starting Outlook in safe mode. This will disable all add-ins and allow you to see if the problem persists. If it does, try disabling or removing the add-ins one by one to determine which is causing the issue.

• Close all Office programs.

• Press and hold the Ctrl key, and then click the Microsoft Office in Safe Mode.

• In the dialog box that appears, click Yes, and go to File > Options > Add-ins.

• In the Manage box, select COM Add-ins, and then click Go.

• In the COM Add-Ins dialog box, clear the check box for the add-in you want to remove, then click OK.

2. Create a New Outlook Profile

If the problem persists after disabling add-ins, you may need to create a new Outlook profile. This will allow you to start fresh and resolve any issues with the existing profile. You may wish to save your current profile and files as a backup in case it gets corrupted after this process.

• Click the Start button and then Control Panel > Mail > Show Profiles.

• In the Mail dialog box, click Add, type a name for the new profile, and click OK.

• Enter your account information and click Next.

• Follow the prompts to complete the account setup process, then click on Finish.

3. Repair MS Office Installation

If you're experiencing problems with Microsoft Outlook not working and possibly other Microsoft Office programs as well, it may be necessary to repair the entire Office installation. This shouldn’t damage any of your saved files but may change some of your saved settings and personalization for each program. To do this:

• Go to the Control Panel and click on Programs and Features.

• Find Microsoft Office in the list of installed programs and select Change.

• You can choose the Repair option and follow the prompts to complete the process.

4. Update Windows

Outdated operating systems can cause problems with Microsoft programs. Make sure you're running the latest version of Windows and that all updates have been installed. This can often resolve issues with Office and Outlook and will boost your process efficiency or any potential security risks you may have with your entire operating system.

• Click the Start button, and then click Settings.

• Click on Update & Security > Windows Update on the left side.

• On the right side, under Update status, click Check for updates.

• If any updates are available, they will be downloaded and installed automatically.

• If you're prompted to restart your computer to complete the update, click Restart Now.

5. Use Built-In Microsoft Repair Utility

Microsoft has a built-in repair utility that can help fix issues with its products. This isn’t a 100% fix-all to any Microsoft outlook not responding issues you may be having, but it can cover many of the more common problems that tend to crop up with the program. To access it:

• Go to the Control Panel and click on Programs and Features.

• Find Microsoft Office in the list of installed programs and select Change.

• You can choose the Online Repair option and follow the prompts to complete the process.

6. Reset the Navigation Pane

Sometimes, issues with Outlook can be resolved by resetting the navigation pane. This is primarily for people dealing with the purely online version of Microsoft Office, but we decided to include it on our list because it solves 9 out of 10 of the issues when the online Microsoft Outlook not working. To do this, go to the "View" tab and click "Reset Navigation Pane."

7. Clear Browsing Cache

If you're experiencing issues with Outlook when using the web version, try clearing your browser cache. This can often resolve problems with the program and clear up space, so it runs significantly quicker, even when your connection is a little weak. Every browser is different, but these are the basic steps.

• Open your web browser.

• Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete (on Windows) or Command + Shift + Delete (on Mac).

• In the window that appears, select the options for the types of data you want to delete.

• Choose the time range for which you want to delete data.

• Click the Clear Data button.

8. Restart Your PC

If all else fails, try restarting your PC. This can often resolve issues with Microsoft programs and get them running smoothly again because it will cease any conflicting programs from running in the background that may be causing conflicts.

Even when you repair Microsoft Outlook not responding, you still need a way to ensure your files are protected. Just like one issue in a car can cause problems in other areas of the vehicle, one repair in a computer can mess up files in other locations. That can lead to you accidentally losing emails, tasks, events, and more from your Outlook .pst file.

AnyRecover is a program that can recover lost or deleted Microsoft Outlook files. Some of the features that make it an attractive option include:

To quickly recover files that may have been damaged due to Microsoft Outlook not working, simply follow these 3 quick steps:

Step 1： Select a location where you want to recover files from.

Step 2： Scan your device for any potentially lost or deleted files.

Step 3： Preview your files and set a destination for recovery.

Wrapping it Up

Stop wasting time trying to risk your file security during a troubleshooting issue. While these tips will ensure your Microsoft Outlook not working problem is resolved, the best way to protect your files is with AnyRecover. You can download a free version of the program from the official website. With AnyRecover, you'll have a valuable tool to help you get your Microsoft programs back up and running again.