Microsoft Outlook is essential for workplace communication, often synonymous with email applications globally. However, the error “Cannot start Microsoft Outlook. Cannot open the Outlook Window” can disrupt work. If Outlook won’t open, how do you fix this error?
Worry not, this article will let you know why is Outlook is not opening and guides you to easily fix “cannot start Microsoft Outlook error” in simple DIY methods.
Table of contents
Sometimes, the Microsoft Outlook fails to open due to a PST file corruption. If you are certain that you have a corrupt or damaged PST file, do make sure you go ahead and repair your corrupt PST file by using this powerful PST repair software- Remo Repair Outlook PST. Download and try the tool for free now.
Common reasons behind Cannot Start Microsoft Outlook Error:
Usually, the reason behind cannot start Microsoft Outlook error might be because of an outdated version of Outlook or a damaged Outlook data file. Following are some of the reasons behind Outlook not opening:
- You are trying to open an outdated version of Outlook
- Navigation Pane error
- Your Outlook data file may be damaged or accidentally deleted
- Defective add-in not letting Outlook to start
- Outlook profile in need of repair
These are the possible reasons behind the “cannot start Microsoft error”. Now let us see the solution to fix Microsoft Outlook not opening problem.
Note: If you are not able to open Outlook due to Outlook repeatedly asking password issue, you should refer this.
Method 1: Reset Outlook’s Navigation Pane
The Outlook navigation pane, located on the left, displays folders and icons for emails, contacts, calendar, and notes. Customizing this pane can sometimes cause errors that prevent Outlook from opening.
- Close Outlook
- Press “Win + R” button to open the Run dialog box
- Type outlook.exe /resetnavpane (note the blank space) and press OK
- Restart your computer and start Outlook.
Method 2: Check for defective add-ins in safe mode
If the initial fix doesn’t resolve the “Cannot start Microsoft Outlook” error, check for faulty add-ins. Start Outlook in safe mode, which disables add-ins, to determine if they’re causing the issue.
If the first solution doesn’t fix cannot start Microsoft Outlook issue, the next solution is to check for defective add-ins that are integrated into Outlook. When you start Outlook in safe mode the add-ins are not loaded and hence it is easy to check if those add-ins are responsible for causing the Outlook not opening error.
- Close Outlook
- Press “Win + R” to open the Run dialog box
- Type Outlook /safe (note the blank space) and press OK
- In Choose profiles dialog box, select the default settings and click OK
- Now to disable add-ins, click on files ->options -> Add-ins
- Under view and manage Office add-ins, make sure that the com Add-ins are shown and select go.
- To disable all the add-ins clear all the checkboxes and press OK.
- Click on file and Exit
- Restart Outlook.
If Outlook launches with no problem then it is because of any add-ins responsible for cannot start Microsoft Outlook error. You can manually enable one add-in at a time to see which add-in is causing the error.
Note: Other Outlook errors such as oUtlook error 0x80070021 can be resolved by utilizing safe mode.
Method 3: Create a new Outlook Profile
Your Outlook profile will have Outlook settings, there are chances of that profile getting corrupted. To verify whether your profile or not you have to create a new profile.
Folllow the steps below:
Control Panel > Mail > Create new profile with email details > Set Outlook to prompt for profile on startup. Restart Outlook in Safe Mode > Select new profile > Close and restart Outlook normally.
If Outlook starts normally with the new profile, then you should consider repairing your Outlook data file.
Method 4: Verify if Outlook is running in Compatibility Mode [Outlook 2016, 2013 or Outlook 2010 Only]
Compatibility mode in Windows allows applications to run as if on an older operating system. If Outlook is running in compatibility mode, disable it to see if it resolves the problem. This applies only to Outlook 2010 and 2013, as compatibility mode isn’t available for newer versions like Outlook 2016 or 2019.
Follow the below mentioned steps to fix cannot start Microsoft Outlook error message by turning off Compatibility mode:
- Go to the location of the Outlook.exe file on your computer. You can find the location of the computer with the following path:
- Outlook 2016: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Offie16.
- Outlook 2010: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office 14\ or C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office 14\
- Outlook 2013: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office 15\ or C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office 15\
- Once you find the Outlook.exe, right click on the file and go to Properties
- Click on Compatibility tab, uncheck the compatibility tab if its selected and click on Apply
Now restart the Outlook application and see if you are still facing the error: cannot start Microsoft Outlook set folders cannot be opened, you will have to repair Outlook data file PST.
How to Fix Microsoft Outlook Not Opening on Mac
- Exit from all Microsoft Office applications and Open Outlook
- Select the database You want to rebuild
- Choose the Rebuild Option
- Restart Outlook, after the completion of process.
Method 5: ScanPST.exe to fix Microsoft not opening issue
The penultimate solution to fix Microsoft Outlook not opening issue is to repair your Outlook data file. The question is How to repair PST file to fix cannot start Microsoft Outlook error?
There is an inbuilt utility provided by Microsoft and its called inbox repair tool. However, there are certain disadvantages with ScanPST.exe like directly working on the corrupt PST file. Hence it is not recommended to use ScanPST.exe when you are dealing with a corrupted PST file.
Fix Outlook Won’t Start Error by Fixing Corrupt PST file using ScanPST.exe?
- Close Outlook.
- Navigate to the C: drive (or your main disk drive) and locate ScanPST at: Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16.
- Double-click Scanpst.exe to open the Microsoft Outlook Inbox Repair Tool.
- Enter the PST file name or click “Browse” to select it. If you don’t know the PST file location:
Open Outlook, click “File,” then “Info,” and go to “Account Settings.”
Select “Data Files” and note the file name and path.
Close Outlook. - Click “Start” to begin the repair process.
- Once complete, open Outlook and create a new PST file.
- Copy recovered files from the old PST file, found in the “Lost and Found” folder.
If these steps don’t resolve the issue, use a trusted PST repair tool like Remo Repair Outlook PST to safely fix PST file errors and resolve the “Cannot start Microsoft Outlook” issue.
- Close your Outlook.
- Now Click on Start to begin the repair process.
- After completion of the process, Open Outlook andcreate a new PST file.
- You can copy the recovered files from your old PST file, they will be present in the Lost and Found folder.
If these steps don’t resolve the issue, use a trusted PST repair tool like Remo Repair Outlook PST to safely fix PST file errors and resolve the “Cannot start Microsoft Outlook” issue.
Remo PST Repair Tool is the most recommended tool to repair corrupted or damaged PST files in few clicks only. Designed to work in read only mode, the tool ensures security to the PST file by working on a copy of it and generates a healthy PST file. Download and Try the tool for free now.
Repair PST File to fix Cannot Start Microsoft Outlook Error
Download and Install Remo PST Repair Tool on your computer and follow the below mentioned steps to fix cannot start Microsoft Outlook error:
- In the main screen with three different options will be displayed. Choose one as per your need:
Open Default PST File: This option will select the default location of the PST file
Select PST File Manually: Choose this option if you know the location of your PST file, you can manually enter the location here.
Find all your PST Files: This option will scan your computer and lists all the PST files. You can choose the one you want to repair.
- In the next screen you will have two options:
Normal Scan: Choose this option if the severity of PST corruption is less.
Smart scan: Go for this option when you have deleted any Outlook data or if the level of corruption is high, or if the normal scan fails to fix the PST file
Click on Repair to start the repair process.
- Click on Repair to start the repair process.
- After completion of repair process, you can Previewthe recovered Outlook items
- If you are satisfied with the results activate the software and Save the repaired.
Conclusion:
The “Cannot start Microsoft Outlook” error, error code 0x80070057, or other common Outlook issues are rarely caused by PST corruption. You can resolve the “Cannot start Microsoft Outlook” error using the methods outlined above. As a final step, use a PST repair tool if other solutions fail.
Please share in the comments below if you successfully fixed the “Cannot Start Microsoft Outlook” error.
Frequently Asked Questions
To force Outlook to open on startup follow the below-given steps:
1. Open Outlook
2. In the windows, click the File.
3. In the menu on the left, Select Option.
4. Select Advanced in the Outlook Options window that displays.
5. Click on the Browse button next to the phrase Start Outlook in this folder after navigating to the section marked Outlook Start and Exit.
6. Navigate to the folder or view you wish to launch at starting, pick it, and then click OK in the Pick Folder dialogue box.
7. To save your modifications and dismiss the Outlook options box, click OK once more.
1. On your computer, launch Outlook.
2. In the top left corner of the screen, select the File tab.
3. Select Options from the menu on the left.
4. On the left-hand menu of the Outlook Options window, select Advanced.
5. To find the Start-up and Exit section, scroll down.
6. You may choose a number of startup options
7. By turning on offline mode in Outlook
8. Prompt for a profile to be used
9. Open Outlook to a particular folder
10. Open the Reading Pane in Outlook.
11. Open Outlook and select the Calendar view.
12. Open Outlook and select the Contacts view.
13. Click OK to save your changes after choosing the choices you want.
1. To activate Outlook on Windows 10, you first need to make sure you have installed Microsoft Office on your computer. If you have already installed it, follow these steps to activate Outlook:
2. Open Outlook from the start menu or by searching for it in the search bar.
3. When you first open Outlook, you will be prompted to activate it Clicks on the Activate button.
4. If you have a Microsoft account, sign in with your credentials. Create a new account
5. Follow the prompts to enter your product key, if you have one. If you don’t have a product key, Click on Buy Office to purchase one.
6. Once you have entered your product key or purchased office, Outlook will be activated
2 thoughts on “How to Fix “Cannot start Microsoft Office Outlook. Cannot open the Outlook Window”?”
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When opening Outlook 10, a message shows of “the connection to Microsoft exchange is unavailable. outlook must be online or connected co complelte this action.” i click ok and it shows a Microsoft exchange server and a Named mailbox. but this fails. I previously had this working but it stopped after some months. I cant start outlook to even begin diagnosis.
Hi Doug, If Outlook can’t start to even begin the diagnosis, you certainly need to repair the Outlook PST file, Please find the tool mentioned in the article to resolve this issue.