Outlook Keeps Crashing Fix (Closes After Opening?)

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Outlook Keeps Crashing Fix is needed when Microsoft Outlook closes by itself, freezes, stops responding, or crashes soon after opening.

This issue usually happens because of conflicting add-ins, corrupted Outlook data files, a damaged Outlook profile, outdated Office files, large mailbox size, or background software conflicts.

Quick Fix

Restart your computer, then open Outlook in Safe Mode. If Outlook works in Safe Mode, disable add-ins and reopen Outlook normally.

Try This First

• Outlook crashes on startup → open Outlook in Safe Mode
• Outlook works in Safe Mode → disable add-ins
• Outlook freezes while using it → reduce mailbox size
• Outlook closes after opening → repair Office or create a new profile

If the issue continues, follow the fixes below.

Why Does Outlook Keep Crashing?

Outlook may keep crashing when it cannot load add-ins, data files, account settings, or profile information correctly.

This can appear as Outlook closing suddenly, freezing while reading emails, crashing on startup, not responding, or opening only in Safe Mode.

What Causes Outlook Keeps Crashing?

The most common causes include:

• Conflicting Outlook add-ins
• Corrupted Outlook data files
• Damaged Outlook profile
• Outdated Outlook or Microsoft Office version
• Large mailbox size
• Background software conflicts
• Temporary Windows or Office glitches

This issue usually means Outlook is unstable because something is blocking or corrupting normal app operation.

How to Fix Outlook Keeps Crashing

Follow these steps until Outlook stays open and works normally again.

Open Outlook in Safe Mode

  1. Close Outlook completely
  2. Press Windows + R on your keyboard
  3. Type outlook.exe /safe
  4. Press Enter
  5. Choose your Outlook profile if asked
  6. Wait for Outlook to open
  7. Use Outlook for a few minutes to see if it still crashes

If Outlook works in Safe Mode, the issue is usually caused by an add-in or startup setting.

Disable Outlook Add-ins

  1. Open Outlook in Safe Mode
  2. Click File
  3. Click Options
  4. Select Add-ins
  5. At the bottom, find Manage: COM Add-ins
  6. Click Go
  7. Uncheck all add-ins temporarily
  8. Click OK
  9. Close Outlook
  10. Open Outlook normally
  11. If Outlook no longer crashes, enable add-ins one by one to find the problem

If Outlook does not open normally at all, follow this guide: Outlook Not Opening Fix

Add-ins can crash Outlook during startup or while using email, calendar, or search features.

End Outlook Processes in Task Manager

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard
  2. Open Task Manager
  3. Click More details if you only see a small window
  4. Look for Microsoft Outlook or Outlook.exe
  5. Click the Outlook process
  6. Click End task
  7. Repeat this for any other Outlook process you see
  8. Open Outlook again

Sometimes Outlook crashes because an old stuck process is still running in the background.

Repair Outlook Data Files

  1. Close Outlook completely
  2. Open Control Panel
  3. Search for Mail
  4. Open Mail (Microsoft Outlook)
  5. Click Data Files
  6. Select your Outlook data file
  7. Click Open File Location
  8. Make note of the file location
  9. Close the Mail window
  10. Open File Explorer and search for SCANPST.EXE
  11. Open SCANPST.EXE
  12. Browse to the Outlook data file location
  13. Select the .pst or .ost file
  14. Click Start
  15. If errors are found, click Repair
  16. Open Outlook again

If Outlook crashes and your mailbox is also not updating properly, follow this guide: Outlook Not Syncing Emails Fix

Repairing Outlook data files can fix crashes caused by damaged mailbox data.

Repair Microsoft Office

  1. Open Control Panel
  2. Click Programs
  3. Click Programs and Features
  4. Select Microsoft Office or Microsoft 365
  5. Click Change
  6. Choose Quick Repair first
  7. Follow the on-screen instructions
  8. Restart your computer
  9. Open Outlook and test it
  10. If Outlook still crashes, repeat the steps and choose Online Repair

Quick Repair is faster and works offline. Online Repair takes longer but can fix deeper Office installation problems.

Create a New Outlook Profile

  1. Close Outlook completely
  2. Open Control Panel
  3. Search for Mail
  4. Open Mail (Microsoft Outlook)
  5. Click Show Profiles
  6. Click Add
  7. Type a new profile name
  8. Add your email account
  9. Choose Prompt for a profile to be used if you want to test it first
  10. Open Outlook and select the new profile
  11. Check if Outlook still crashes

If Outlook freezes before reaching the inbox, follow this guide: Outlook Stuck on Loading Profile Fix

A new profile can fix crashes caused by corrupted Outlook profile settings.

Update Outlook

  1. Open another Office app, such as Word or Excel, if Outlook crashes too quickly
  2. Click File
  3. Click Account or Office Account
  4. Click Update Options
  5. Click Update Now
  6. Install any available updates
  7. Restart your computer
  8. Open Outlook again

Updating Outlook can fix known bugs and compatibility problems that cause crashes.

Reduce Mailbox Size

  1. Open Outlook if possible
  2. Delete old emails you no longer need
  3. Empty the Deleted Items folder
  4. Empty Junk Email if needed
  5. Archive old emails if you use Outlook archive
  6. Remove large attachments you no longer need
  7. Restart Outlook

A very large mailbox can make Outlook slow, unstable, or more likely to freeze while searching and syncing.

Check Antivirus or Security Software

  1. Check whether your antivirus recently showed an Outlook warning
  2. Open your security software
  3. Look for Allowed apps, Firewall, or Application control
  4. Make sure Outlook is not blocked
  5. Do not leave security protection turned off permanently
  6. Add Outlook as an allowed app if your security software supports it
  7. Restart Outlook and test it again

Some security tools can interfere with Outlook, but it is safer to allow Outlook than to disable protection completely.

Restart Your Computer

  1. Save anything important you are doing
  2. Close Outlook and other open apps
  3. Click the Start button
  4. Click the Power icon
  5. Select Restart
  6. Wait for Windows to fully load
  7. Open Outlook and test it again

Restarting clears temporary system issues that may affect Outlook stability.

How to Prevent Outlook Crashes

• Keep Outlook and Microsoft Office updated
• Avoid unnecessary Outlook add-ins
• Keep mailbox size under control
• Restart your computer when Outlook becomes unstable
• Repair Office if crashes keep returning
• Create a new profile if the same profile keeps causing problems

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Outlook keep crashing?

Outlook usually keeps crashing because of conflicting add-ins, corrupted data files, damaged profiles, outdated Office files, large mailboxes, or software conflicts.

Can I fix Outlook crashes without reinstalling Office?

Yes, most Outlook crashes can be fixed by opening Safe Mode, disabling add-ins, repairing data files, repairing Office, or creating a new Outlook profile.

Will I lose emails if I fix Outlook crashes?

Usually no. Most emails stay on your mail server for Microsoft 365, Outlook.com, Gmail, and IMAP accounts. Local-only PST data should be backed up before major profile or data-file changes.

You may also want to check our guides on Outlook Not Working Fix, Outlook Search Not Working Fix and Outlook Keeps Asking for Password Fix for related Outlook issues.