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3 Common Outlook Issues – Know How to Troubleshoot the Errors

admin | October 11th, 2017 | Windows Outlook

Resolving Common Outlook Errors with the Appropriate Solutions

Microsoft Outlook is the widely used email client in the world when compared with any other email application. It is because Outlook provides an easy user interface and unique features. But, like any other email client, MS Outlook users also sometimes face many issues that badly affect the normal working of Outlook. Some of the frequently faced issues are freezing, too much time to load, corrupt data file, etc. As there is a number of errors faced by the users but here we have focused on the 3 common Outlook issues and their solutions to enhance its performance.

3 Most Common Microsoft Outlook Issues

Among all errors encountered by Outlook users, we have covered three common Outlook errors with their solution in the below section of the post.

Problem 1: MS Outlook Takes Too Much Time While Loading

There are be many possible reasons behind Outlook becoming slow or taking so long to load a profile. Therefore, all possible causes that drop-down the performance of Outlook are discussed below:

Reasons:

  1. Generally, users install some add-ins in the Outlook to enhance its performance and make it more feasible to perform other tasks. But, unknowingly they are detrimental plug-ins and does not prove to be helpful with the concern they were added. And, the result of such plug-ins is that they increase the loading time of Microsoft Outlook.
  2. Another possible reason is a heavy data file of Outlook or if Outlook exceeds its default size limit, then also Outlook becomes slow in performing any task.

Solution:

You need to disable all Add-Ins first of all. For this follow the steps below:

  1. Open Microsoft Outlook application in the Safe Mode. To do the same, press Windows Key + R and type outlook.exe /safe (leave a space between outlook.exe and /).
  2. Now, to remove add-ins, click on File >> Options >> Add-Ins. After that choose Com Add-ins option and click on Go button >> uncheck all the checkboxes and then, click on OK button. Then, restart Microsoft Outlook application.
  3. Another possible way to improve Outlook performance is archive over-sized Outlook Data File. However, Archiving features take so much of time in the case of large of PST file. Therefore, it is suggested to use some third-party tool and split PST file by size, folder, date, and year.

Problem 2: Outlook Hangs on Loading Profile Or Microsoft Outlook is Not Responding

Another common Outlook issues when MS Outlook freezes while starting or while sending or receiving messages. This is the most irritating part of Outlook is when a user send or open an email and it starts hanging or freezing. At this time, a user might come across the following error messages:

Reasons:

  1. Corrupted or damaged Microsoft Outlook Data File.
  2. Microsoft Outlook is in use by another process.
  3. Large MS Outlook Mailbox.
  4. Enabling of Add-Ins in access.
  5. Corrupted Outlook Profile.

Solution:

  1. The very first thing and the most effective way that can work at this time is to remove Microsoft Outlook from the Task Manager. Now, to do the same hit Ctrl +Shift + Delete key. After that, navigate to Task Manager >> choose Microsoft Outlook from the list and click on End Task button.
  2. Start Outlook in the safe mode.
  3. Delete all Add-ins of Microsoft Outlook.
  4. Repair Outlook Data File (.pst).
  5. Turn off all antivirus software.
  6. Reduce Mailbox size and PST file size with the help of Compact Now feature of Outlook.
  7. Turn Off Hardware Graphics acceleration.
  8. Take help of Microsoft Fix It Tool.

Problem 3: PST File of Outlook is not a Personal Folder File

One of the common error message encountered by Outlook users is: “PST file is not a personal folders file”. In the below section, you will understand the main reasons along with solutions behind this error.

Reasons:

  1. If outlook.pst file is on CD or DVD or it is marked as the Read-only attribute, then there are chances that such error will appear.
  2. If a user import, restore a damaged PST file or divide large PST file, then also it displays such type of error messages.
  3. While working on Outlook, if system shutdowns suddenly due to power failure, then Outlook might display this error message.

Solution:

  1. First of all, a user can copy the outlook.pst file from CD or DVD and paste it on the local hard drive. After that, a user is advised to make a sub-folder with a name Outlook and put that .pst file in the Outlook Folder. Then, you need to uncheck the Read Only attribute. To do the same, right-click on the PST File >>Properties >> uncheck the Read Only.
  2. If you have restored the PST file using above method, then do not import Outlook Data File.
  3. Use the proper way to open PST file i.e., go to File tab >> Open >> Open Outlook Data File.
  4. Exit Microsoft Outlook application and try to repair Outlook Data File using Scanpst.exe that is completely free to use offered by Microsoft.

Conclusion

Any problem or error in Outlook become a big trouble for the users to resolve. Considering users requirement in mind, we have discussed 3 common Outlook issues and their solution in this post. This will make users understand about the particular error clearly and fix them in a proper manner. There are several more issues a Microsoft user face while handling an Outlook account. We will discuss those errors in our upcoming blogs.