How to Repair Outlook 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, and 2010? (Tutorial)

Outlook not opening? Are emails not sending? Things like this happen. And honestly, it’s more common than you’d ever think. Before you start thinking more about this issue or calling IT support, take a breath because many of Outlook’s problems can be fixed with a few simple steps. This blog will cover how to repair Outlook with different approaches. If you want an accurate solution, use Aryson Outlook PST Repair Tool for Outlook data file repair version by version 2010 through 2019. Download Now   Purchase Now

Why Outlook Stops Working Properly

Outlook usually works well. But sometimes, it suddenly stops. It might freeze when you open it or crash when you send an email. Sounds familiar? You’re not the only one. It happens to many people. Here are some common reasons why Outlook may stop working:

  • If your PST or OST file is damaged, then your Outlook profile may not work properly.
  • Sometimes, too many add-ins don’t work well with Outlook. As a result, they can slow down your Outlook performance.
  • In case your Outlook profile has the wrong settings, then the Outlook app might not run properly.
  • If the problem is with Windows or Office updates, it can also affect how Outlook works.
  • If you turn off your computer or close Outlook the wrong way, it might cause problems next time you open it.

In short, even small things can make Outlook stop working. But the good part is, you can fix most of these problems with simple steps.

What You’ll Learn in This Guide to Repair Outlook

There are a few different ways to fix Outlook manually. In the upcoming section, we will properly go over the four most useful ones:

  • Repair Office from the Control Panel
  • Use SCANPST (Inbox Repair Tool)
  • Turn off add-ins
  • Create a new Outlook profile

Let’s go through each one step by step.

Method 1: Repair your Outlook 365 from the Control Panel

The first thing you should try is to fix the basic Outlook issues. For this, you have to start with repairing the Office installation itself.

  • Make sure Outlook is closed.
  • Go to your Control Panel.
  • Click Programs >> Programs and Features.
  • Find Microsoft Office in the list and right-click on it.
  • Select Change.
  • A window will pop up. Choose Quick Repair, then click Repair.
  • Wait for the Repair to finish.

If it doesn’t help to repair the Outlook profile, then you should repeat the same steps and select Online Repair this time. Quick Repair is fast. But Online Repair is more thorough. Just make sure you’re connected to the internet. Usually, it works when Outlook is slow or crashes randomly.

Method 2: Secondly, you should use the SCANPST (Inbox Repair Tool)

If your Outlook data file is damaged, you’ll need this tool. It’s built into Outlook and helps repair PST and OST files.

Follow these steps:

  • Close Outlook before you begin.
  • Go to the SCANPST tool. Usually, it is located at the location mentioned below: 

For your Outlook version 2019 or 2016:

C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\SCANPST.EXE

For the Outlook version 2013:

C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office15\SCANPST.EXE

For Outlook version 2010:

C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office14\SCANPST.EXE
  • Now, you should double-click SCANPST.EXE to open it.
  • Then, hit the Browse button and find your Outlook data file (.pst or .ost).
  • Here is the general location of it: 
C:\Users\YourName\Documents\Outlook Files
  • Lastly, hit the Start button to scan the File.
  • Once done, click Repair.

Additional Point: It will ask you if you want to back up the File before fixing it. Say yes just to be safe. This tool is great for repairing small to medium file corruption. If the File is heavily damaged, though, it might not be enough.

Also Read: Learn How to Repair Corrupt PST File without Outlook Easily

Method 3: Now, Turn Off the Faulty Add-ins

However, the add-ins are helpful. But little tools that add extra features to Outlook can be the reasons for Outlook corruption. It happens when one of them goes bad. As a result, it can start causing trouble.

So, what should you do to turn them off?

  • Open Outlook in Safe Mode.
  • Press Windows + R, type outlook /safe, and hit Enter.
  • Go to File>> Options >> Add-ins.
  • At the bottom, next to “Manage: COM Add-ins,” click Go.
  • Uncheck all the add-ins in the list, then click OK.
  • Close Outlook and open it normally.

If Outlook works fine now, you know one of those add-ins was the problem. Next, you can go back and turn them on one at a time. So, it will be helpful to find out which one caused the issue.

Method 4: Create a New Outlook Profile

Your Outlook profile stores all your settings and email account details. If that profile becomes corrupted, Outlook might not even open. In that case, creating a new one is a simple and effective fix. Here’s how to fix an Outlook PST file manually: 

  • Close Outlook.
  • Open the Control Panel.
  • Click on Mail (Microsoft Outlook).
  • In the new window, click Show Profiles.
  • Click Add, and give your new profile a name.
  • Follow the steps to add your email account.
  • Under “When starting Microsoft Outlook,” select Always use this profile and pick the new one.
  • Click OK, then open Outlook.

Now you’ll have a fresh profile that should work properly if the old one was the problem.

Things Manual Fixes Can’t Always Solve

Manual methods are great, but they do have limits. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

  • They don’t work for very badly damaged files.
  • You might lose emails or other data if something goes wrong.
  • It takes time and can feel confusing if you’re not used to it.
  • If Outlook doesn’t open at all, not even in Safe Mode, these steps may not help.

If you’ve tried everything and Outlook still isn’t working, it might be time to use a trusted and automated Outlook data file repair tool.

What If These Fixes Don’t Work to Repair Outlook?

Sometimes Outlook is just too far gone to fix with manual steps. Maybe the data file is too corrupted. Or Outlook refuses to open, no matter what you do. That’s when the reliable Aryson PST File Repair Tool can help. This utility can be made for situations just like this. Hence, it can repair damaged PST files and recover all your emails, contacts, and calendar events. Moreover, it saves everything into a new working PST file.

Along with that, it will be helpful to keep your folder structure safe. It works even when SCANPST fails. In addition to that, it is usually easy to use, even if you’re not a tech-savvy person.

Also Read:Learn How to Fix “Outlook .PST cannot be Opened” Error?

Final Thoughts

If you are dealing with a broken Outlook, then it doesn’t always mean you need to call tech support or start over from scratch. With the right steps, you can repair Outlook manually and get back to work in no time. You should start with the easy fixes, like repairing Office or turning off add-ins. If that doesn’t work, try using the Inbox Repair Tool or creating a new profile. And if nothing else helps, there are great tools out there that can recover everything for you. Take it one step at a time, and you’ll have Outlook working again soon.

Frequently Asked Questions:-

Q1. Why is Outlook not opening or crashing?

Ans: It may occur if Outlook’s data file is corrupted, some add-ins are causing issues, or the settings are incorrect. It may also occur following a Windows update or if Outlook was not properly closed. You can try to repair it using the instructions in this guide.

Q2: What is Scanpst, and how do I discover it?

Ans: Scanpst is a free Microsoft program that helps correct errors in Outlook’s data file. If you have Outlook installed, it will already be on your PC. It is normally located in the Office folder, C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office.

Q3: Will I lose my emails if I fix Outlook?

Ans: No, most manual repair processes will not destroy your emails. However, just to be safe, make a backup of your Outlook data file before starting.

Q4. What if the problem persists despite taking these steps?

Ans: If Outlook does not operate after you have tried everything, your data file may be severely damaged. If so, you can safely restore your emails and other data with the Aryson Outlook Repair Tool.

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About The Author:

Rohan Wiese is a Technical Content Writer at Aryson Technologies, specializing in databases, e-mail recovery, and e-mail migration solutions. He enjoys conducting research and generating information that assists database administrators, businesses, and novices in resolving issues with MS SQL Server, MySQL databases, Cloud Computing, and Microsoft Exchange.

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