Know-How to Resolve the Error: Microsoft Outlook Won't Start

Outlook is a popular and widely used email client application that offers an array of useful features. It has remarkable features, impressive Graphical User Interface (GUI) and consistent connectivity with other email applications. However, users often face issues while accessing Outlook profile and a pop-up error message displays on the screen, 'Microsoft Outlook won't start'. The reasons behind the error could be several and the users often find it difficult to resolve the error as there are so many options available, however, only a few are successful ways to resolve the error without data loss. This blog entails the detail on how to fix the error, "Microsoft Outlook won't start."

Reasons behind the Error: Microsoft Outlook Won't Start

There are several reasons behind the error, however, the most common is due to the 'Navigation Pane Settings' option. The user can determine whether the corruption is due to this reason or not by simply examining the file size. If you notice the file size is of 0 KB, then the file is definitely corrupt. Below, we have compiled a list of the reasons behind the error:

If the user's profile is from the older version of Outlook.
If the user has installed Outlook incorrectly.
Another reason is the wrong set-up of Outlook.
If there is an internal conflict in the registry.
When the user installs corrupt software.
When the user accidentally damages or deletes PST File.
If there are a Malware and Virus attack.

Indication of the Error: 'Microsoft Outlook Won't Start'

If a user notices the following factors, then these are simply the indications:

Slow performance of the system.
When the operating system hangs.

How to Resolve the Error: Microsoft Outlook Won't Start

When the user encounters an error, then they are unable to access the application. To fix the error, 'Microsoft Outlook won't start', the user needs to follow any one of the below-mentioned methods and resolve the error at the earliest. Let us see the different ways of fixing the Outlook error:

Update all the Software and Outlook

Usually, not all the updates of the software are automatic and some users don't turn on the 'Automatic' feature to update the software. If this is the case with you, then restart your operating system and fix Outlook. Below, we have listed the steps on how to 'Turn on Mode':

Go to the 'Settings' option.
Click on the 'Update and Recovery' tab.
Click on the 'Updates get installed' button.
Go to the 'Turn on Automatic' updates option.

Just make sure that you update the antivirus software on your operating system as it hinders the access of Outlook. Also, make certain that you update the security of the software installed on your system.

Launch Outlook in Safe Mode

Most of the users must have faced the problem when their system freezes or they receive an error message displayed on their screen. If you are facing such an issue, then launch Outlook in 'Safe Mode'. If a user wants to run Outlook in 'Safe Mode', then go for the "Outlook.exe /safe" option. If the user is unable to access Outlook in Safe Mode, then the error will be due to a faulty add-in. Let us see how you can fix the faulty add-ins:

Go to the 'File Menu' option.
From the available options, click on the 'Add-ins' tab.
Type 'COM Add-ins'.
Now, clear all.
Then, restart your Outlook.

Repair the Damaged Files

To repair the damaged files, follow the below steps:

Shut down all the MS Office applications on your system.
Click on the 'Control Panel' tab.
Go to the 'Programs and Features' option.
Now, locate your MS Office version and right-click on it.
Click on the 'Repair' tab.
Click on 'OK'.

Fix the Navigation Pane Settings

Most of the Outlook users must be aware that the reason behind the error is due to the Navigation Pane Configuration corruption. To fix the error, you must restore the Navigation Pane Configuration file settings and below we have mentioned the steps to do it:

Turn off the Outlook applications on your system.
Click on the 'Start Menu' tab.
Now, type 'Run' and outlook.exe /resetnavpane command tab.
Click on 'Ok'.

Remove the Navigation Pane File Settings

If a user is unable to fix the error after resetting the 'Navigation Pane Configuration', then it is recommended to delete the settings. Follow the below steps to do it:

Open the 'Run Box' on the system.
Now, type '%appdata%\Microsoft\Outlook' command.
Click on the 'Enter' option.
The user will be directed to the Outlook configuration location.
Now, search 'Outlook.xml file'.
Click on the 'Delete' tab.

Make a New MS Outlook Profile

To make a new MS Outlook Profile, the user needs to follow the steps below:

Click on the 'Control Panel' option.
Click on the 'Mail' tab to open the setup the 'Dialog Box'.
Click on the 'Show Profiles' option and the 'Add' tab.
Rename the profile.
Click on 'OK'.

Opt for the 'Inbox Repair Tool' Option

Step 1: Exit from MS Outlook.

Step 2: Now, locate the 'Scanpst.exe' file.

If you are using Outlook 2007 version, then the location will be \Program Files\Microsoft OfficeOffice12 for 32-bit and \Program Files(x86)\Microsoft Office\Office12 for 64-bit Windows version.

If you are using Outlook 2010 or any above version, then the location will be \Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office14 for 32-bit and \Program Files\Microsoft Office(x86)\Office14 for 64-bit Windows version.

Step 3: Now, exit from MS Outlook.

Step 4: Use the Inbox Repair Tool by following the below steps:

Click on the 'Inbox Repair Tool' option.
Type the file name.
Click on the 'Browse' option to locate the Outlook file.
Now, click on the 'Start' option to start the scanning process.
A new screen will appear on the screen listing the errors.
Click on 'Repair'.
Click on 'Ok'.

Step 5: A step 5 is to retrieve the repaired files by using a new PST file. Below we have mentioned the steps:

Open Outlook
Enter CTRL+6 key together.
This way, you will turn on the 'Folder List' view.
The user will be able to view the recovered files such as Calendar, Notes, Inbox, Outbox, Journal, Deleted Items, Contacts, Sent Items, and Tasks.
Make a new PST file.
Click on the 'Lost and Founder' folder option and drag the repaired files to the newly created PST file.
Once you transfer the recovered data, make sure you eliminate the recovered PST file.

Cautiously Clean up the Junk Files

Another way to resolve the error is by cautiously cleaning the junk files. Follow the below-mentioned steps:

Enter 'Windows + R' together.
Now, type 'Cleanmgr'.
Click on 'Enter'.
Select the 'OS Partition' option.
Click on 'OK'.
Click on the 'Clean up System Files' option.
Click on 'Finish'.

If none of the above ways is unable to resolve the error, then opt for automated software to repair the error. Using a third-party tool to fix the error is the right choice as it ensures a positive result. By using a reliable tool, the user can fix the major as well as minor errors. Just make sure that you choose the right software as you will find a wide range of options available in the market. We highly recommend you opt for KDETools PST Recovery Tool to fix the error as it ensures 100 % result.

About KDETools PST Recovery Tool

KDETools has an expertise of more than a decade in Data Recovery and offers advanced softwares to fix the errors. They develop softwares with advanced algorithms that ensure a positive result to the users. By using the software, the user can repair the damaged files and extract data from highly-encrypted, corrupt, orphaned, and deleted files. If the user is unable to start Outlook or access the data, then you can use the PST Recovery tool to resolve the issue in no time without loss of data.

How KDETools PST Recovery Tool Resolves the Error: "Microsoft Outlook Won't Start"?

Download, install and run the PST Recovery tool on your system.
Authenticate the PST Recovery tool by using the 'Activation Key'.
Start the software to start the repairing process.
Choose the PST files.
Browse to the location of the files and if you are not aware then, type 'Find'.
Now, click on the 'Repair' option.
Start the scanning process and after scanning the data, a new window will appear mentioning the recoverable files and folders.
Click on the 'Files and Folders' option and double-check the content before starting the repairing process by clicking on the 'Preview' tab.
Click on the 'Save Repaired File' tab.
From the available options, click on the type of file format you want.
Save the file at the desired location.
Click on 'OK'.

The above are the steps that will help you resolve the error and access Outlook without any hassle. Just make sure that you follow the above-mentioned steps and recover the data without risking the security of files. After the repairing process is finished, the users will notice that the folder structure and email Metadata does not change and remains the same.

Conclusion

In this blog, we have mentioned several ways to fix the Outlook error, 'Microsoft Outlook Won't Start'. We have also listed the reasons behind the error and how can a user repair the error without loss of data. We have suggested third-party software that ensures a positive result and extracts data from corrupt, damaged, and password-protected files in no time. Just make sure that you pick the right method to resolve the error.