How to Fix the Error of Microsoft Office Outlook Not Starting on Windows 11/10/8/7

As a Windows user, you might encounter the "Cannot start Microsoft Outlook" error when trying to launch the program from the Start menu. This can be a significant issue since you won't be able to access your emails, calendar, notes, and more.

Due to the extensive use of Microsoft Outlook or Microsoft Outlook 365 for sending and receiving emails, managing calendars, saving contact names and phone numbers, and tracking other items with Outlook, there has been an unexpected surge in queries from users encountering the "Cannot start Microsoft Outlook. Cannot open the Outlook window. The file folder cannot be opened." issue. This article will guide you through six proven solutions.

Why Do You Get the "Cannot Start Microsoft Office Outlook" Error?

When you encounter this error, the main issue is that Outlook fails to start. You'll notice that after attempting to open Outlook 365 for some time, the cursor will load, and then the error message pops up. All you can do is click “OK” and then wait for the unresponsive Microsoft Outlook to see what happens. Several issues can cause the folder to fail to open. Common reasons include:

• Damaged or missing PST or OST files: Outlook might be trying to run in compatibility mode, or you could be using a deleted or corrupted profile (in .pst and .ost formats) created in an earlier version of Outlook.
• Corrupted Navigation Pane: If Microsoft Outlook has stopped working, it could be due to a damaged navigation pane. You can try resetting it using the solutions in the following section.
• ❗ Incorrect Outlook installation: If Outlook was installed or reinstalled improperly, you might encounter the "Cannot start Microsoft Outlook" issue. Therefore, ensure that these tasks are carried out correctly.
• ❎ Internal registry conflicts: It's possible that newly installed programs on your computer are conflicting with Outlook.
• ？ Virus or malware infection: A virus attack might interfere with your operating system and damage Microsoft Outlook files, preventing the program from opening normally.

How to Fix the 'Cannot Start Microsoft Office Outlook' Error [6 Ways]

If you're having trouble starting or opening Outlook 365 on your Windows PC, try the troubleshooting solutions in this section.

1. Fix Method 1: Reset Navigation Pane
2. Fix Method 2: Repair Corrupted Files in Microsoft Office
3. Fix Method 3: Check Compatibility Mode in Outlook
4. Fix Method 4: Run Microsoft Outlook in Safe Mode
5. Fix Method 5: Disable Add-ins to Repair Microsoft Outlook
6. Fix Method 6: Create a New Outlook Profile

But before you try to fix the 'Outlook won't open' issue on Windows, watch this video that gives you four ways to resolve it.

• 00:03 - Displaying Microsoft Outlook profile
• 01:23 - Entering Microsoft Outlook Safe Mode
• 01:49 - Running the Registry Editor
• 04:40 - Quick Repair of Microsoft Office

Fix 1: Reset the Navigation Pane

The Outlook 365 navigation pane is on the far left, and it contains icons to switch between Mail, Calendar, People, and Tasks, as well as your folder list. If Microsoft Outlook 365 won't start because the navigation pane is corrupted, try resetting the navigation pane, and then restart Outlook to test it. Here's how:

Step one: Close your Microsoft Outlook program.

Step 2: Click on the "Start" menu and choose "Run," or press "Windows Key + R."

Step 3: Type Outlook.exe /resetnavpane in the box.

Step 4: Click “OK.”

Fix 2: Repair the corrupted file from Microsoft Office

Microsoft Office Outlook fails to start due to corruption or deletion of PST data files. You might be able to repair the damaged PST using an in-built Microsoft repair tool through the Control Panel, but the process can be time-consuming and may result in inconsistent data.

Thus, a powerful file repair tool is required. For Outlook 365 users, the best option to fix PST files is the Fixo File Repair Tool, which can handle various scenarios of PST data corruption.

• It can repair corrupted Excel files, as well as fix other types of documents like PDFs and Word files.
• It also repairs damaged files on hard drives, memory cards, flash drives, SD cards, and more.
• It supports the fixing of most file corruption issues and helps you open 0kb-sized PDF files.

To repair a damaged file, follow these steps:

Step 1: Download and run Fixo on your computer or laptop. Choose "File Repair" to fix corrupted Office documents, including Word, Excel, PDF, and more. Click "Add File" to select the damaged document.

Step 2. Click “Repair All” to fix multiple files. To repair a single file, hover your cursor over the target file and select “Repair.” You can also preview the document by clicking on the eye icon.

Step 3. Click “Save” to save the selected files. Choose “Save All” to save all repaired files. Select “View Repaired” to locate the folder with the repaired files.

Fix 3: Check Outlook's Compatibility Mode

To address the "Cannot start Microsoft Outlook" issue, you can disable the Outlook compatibility mode. This mode allows the program to run more efficiently on older Windows operating systems.

Step 1. On your Windows computer, locate the Outlook.exe file.

• Outlook 2013: Locate the file in C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office15\ • Outlook 2010: Locate the file in C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office14\

Step 2: Right-click on Outlook.exe – Properties and then select the Compatibility tab.

Step 3: Clear all the checkboxes on the Compatibility tab, and then click Apply and OK.

Step 4: Restart Outlook.

Fix 4: Run Microsoft Outlook in Safe Mode

Another approach that might be helpful is to start the application in Safe Mode. This will launch Outlook 365 without any add-ins, and will only show if any of them were causing issues with Microsoft Outlook not starting. You can follow the steps below to fix the issue with Microsoft Outlook not opening or the Microsoft Outlook 365 problem.

Step 1: Hold the Ctrl key on your keyboard and start Outlook.

A dialog box should appear asking, "You pressed the CTRL key. Do you want to start Outlook in safe mode?” Click Yes to open Outlook in safe mode.

Step 3: Outlook starts in Safe Mode.

If Outlook starts in Safe Mode, an add-in is to blame.

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Solution 5: Disable Add-ins to Fix Microsoft Outlook

The "Cannot start Microsoft Outlook" issue might be due to a conflict between one or more add-ins and Outlook 365. Try disabling all add-ins to see if that resolves the problem.

Step 1: In Microsoft Outlook, click File > Options > Add-ins.

Step 2: Select “Go to” from the “Manage” section.

Step 3: Clear the check box next to any add-ons you want to disable.

Step 4: Click “OK.”

DISABLE MICROSOFT OUTLOOK ADD-INS

Fix 6: Create a New Outlook

Your Outlook settings are stored in your profile, which can sometimes become corrupted. By creating a new profile and changing the one that Outlook 365 uses when it starts up, you can check if the profile is damaged and take steps to resolve the "Cannot start Microsoft Outlook" issue.

Step 1: Click Start, Control Panel, and then Mail

Step 2: In the “Mail Setup - Outlook” dialog box, click Show Profiles, and then click Add.

Step 3: Type the name of your new profile in the Profile Name field.

Step 4 Under Email Account on the Auto Account Setup page, enter your email address and password

Step 5: Choose a prompt to use. Open Microsoft Outlook 365 with this profile, and then select OK.

We've completed the fix now, and we hope that the issue has been resolved for you satisfactorily. If that's the case, please do share your thoughts and experience on social media platforms!

Conclusions

Occasionally, Microsoft Outlook 365 might not work as expected or display errors, such as "Cannot start Microsoft Outlook. Cannot open the Outlook window. The file cannot be opened." when attempting to launch the application. However, there's always a solution for each issue. This article provides six troubleshooting steps. A common reason behind Outlook malfunction is missing or corrupted system files. We still recommend using the Fixo File Repair tool to mend corrupted PST files.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on "Unable to Launch Microsoft Office Outlook"

After fixing the "Outlook won't start" error, you might have more questions on your mind. Check here to see if your query is addressed:

**1. How do I fix the issue where Microsoft Outlook won't start?**

If the Navigation Pane is corrupted and won't start in Microsoft Outlook, reset the Navigation Pane, and then restart Outlook to test. Try these steps:

• Exit Microsoft Outlook.
• Press the Windows + R keys or choose Run from the Start menu.
• Type Outlook.exe /resetnavpane in the text box.

How do I reset Microsoft Outlook?

1. Close Outlook. You won't be able to proceed with the following steps if it's running.
2. Search for "Control Panel" using the search bar in the taskbar.
3. Select "Mail."
4. Choose "Show Profiles" from the menu.
5. Make sure the Outlook profile is selected. If not, click on it and then select "Remove" from the menu.
6. When prompted to confirm deletion of the profile, click "Yes."
7. Click "Apply," followed by "OK."
8. Start Outlook. It should prompt you to create a new profile.

3. Why won't Outlook 365 open on Windows 10?

1. Incorrect Outlook Installation: A faulty or improper installation or reinstallation of Outlook can lead to the "Cannot open Microsoft Outlook" issue.
2. Conflict with newly installed programs: A recently installed program on your computer might be causing conflicts with Outlook's internal registry.
3. Damaged or Missing PST or OST Files: You might be using a profile that was deleted or corrupted in a previous version of Outlook, or Outlook might be attempting to run in compatibility mode.
4. Damaged Navigation Pane: If the Navigation Pane is damaged, Microsoft Outlook might stop functioning.

4. Why does Outlook say my account doesn't exist?

If you receive an error message that says the email address doesn't exist when you try to sign in to your Microsoft account, the email address associated with the account might have been deleted.