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Outlook Is Not Working? Top Solutions for Windows 10, Mac, and More

When Outlook is not working, it’s essential to act fast. Whether the problem is on Windows 10, after an update, or specific to Mac, this guide explains simple solutions to get Outlook functioning smoothly. Address crashes, sync problems, and much more. Outlook is not working? Fix it now.

November 29, 2024

Why Outlook Is Not Working and Why It Matters

Not very helpful when Outlook gives up on you; unable now to send or receive any mail. Be it something simple or complex, you should know how to troubleshoot it, fix it, and to the point. Millions of people use Outlook across the globe, one of the most available and trustworthy services in the world. However, that does not mean that it will not experience some technical hiccups. Whether it is something to do with updates, some configuration problems, or sync issues, understanding it and knowing that it's coming under the umbrella of"Outlook is not working" can save one a lot of time and frustration.

This article will dig down into the "Outlook is not working" cause on devices such as Windows 10 post update, Mac where it stays, and we also explain how to fix ever crashing.

Outlook Is Not Working on Windows 10

Outlook's usage is mostly prevalent on Windows 10, but sometimes it refuses to load or has some issues. One of the common reasons is Outlook not synchronizing with the server or downloading mails. Some of the reasons for this:

  • Corrupted Profile: If your Outlook profile becomes corrupt, Outlook may refuse to open or act erratically.
  • Connection Issues: Sometimes, Outlook gets connected to the internet, but at times fails to connect with the mail server due to problems with either the firewall or networks.
  • Outdated Software: An outdated version of Outlook itself is very common and large enough for it to not function correctly on Windows 10.

How to Fix Outlook Not Working on Windows 10

Here are some practical steps to solve the problem:

Repair Your Outlook Profile

The first thing to try when Outlook is not working on Windows 10 is to repair your profile. Go to Control Panel > Mail > Show Profiles, and choose Repair.

Check Your Internet Connection

Ensure that your internet connection is stable. If it’s weak or intermittent, Outlook may have trouble syncing your emails.

Update Outlook

Go to File > Office Account > Update Options, and select Update Now to ensure you have the latest version of Outlook.

Disable Antivirus or Firewall

Sometimes, antivirus or firewall settings can block Outlook from connecting to the server. Temporarily disable these and check if Outlook starts working again.

How to Fix Outlook Is Not Working After an Update

Updates, while beneficial for security and new features, can sometimes cause issues. After an update, Outlook might stop working, and you may notice that it won’t open or crash immediately. So, what causes this?

  • Compatibility Issues: A recent update might not be compatible with your version of Outlook or Windows.
  • Corrupted Installation Files: The update might have corrupted critical Outlook files, causing it to fail.

Solutions for Outlook Not Working After an Update

If you’ve recently updated Outlook and now it’s not working, here’s what you can do:

Roll Back the Update

If a problem has started after an update, you can go for rollback to a previous version. You can also remove the most recent updates by going to the path - Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > View Update History.

Repair Office

If rolling back doesn’t work, try repairing Office. Go to Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features, select your Office product, and click Repair.

Reinstall Outlook

If all else fails, uninstall and reinstall Outlook. This will ensure that you have a clean installation of the software.

Outlook Is Not Working on Mac: Causes and Fixes

Although Outlook is a powerful email client, it can sometimes cause problems for Mac users. The following issues are some of those that often trouble users: problems that result in missing sync or cause an error message:

  • Outdated MacOS: An outdated MacOS could cause certain issues in the way Outlook works.
  • Syncing Issues: Outlook may not sync emails or calendars due to server issues and/or wrong configuration settings.
  • Corrupted Data Files: Data file corruption can render Outlook unresponsive or even crash it.

How to Fix Outlook Not Working on Mac

Update macOS

Ensure your operating system is updated by going to Apple Menu > System Preferences > Software Update. Outdated systems can cause compatibility issues with Outlook.

Rebuild the Outlook

Database If your Outlook data is corrupted, you can rebuild the database by holding down the Option key while starting Outlook and selecting Rebuild.

Check for Account

Configuration Issues Sometimes Outlook won’t work due to incorrect account settings. Double-check that your email settings are correct by going to Outlook > Preferences > Accounts.

If these steps don’t resolve the issue, consider reinstalling Outlook on your Mac.

Pro Tip: How to Access Outlook via MultCloud

In addition to solving the immediate problems with your Outlook account, MultCloud can help streamline your cloud management across multiple platforms, including Outlook. By using MultCloud, you can easily manage your Outlook emails, attachments, and other files alongside your other cloud services in one unified platform. This means that even if Outlook is temporarily down, you can still access and manage your data from other cloud services, ensuring you never lose important information or productivity.

  • Cloud Transfer: MultCloud can transfer files from one cloud service to another directly without downloading and re-uploading.
  • Cloud Sync: With MultCloud, you can easily sync two folders between different cloud services in real-time.
  • Cloud Backup: You can backup and restore data between different cloud services automatically.
  • Instagram Downloader: MultCloud can help you download Instagram videos, photos, reels and stories to local device or remotely upload them to your clouds.
  • Email Migration: You can directly back up and save Gmail emails as PDFs to your computer or cloud drive in bulk. 
  • Manage all cloud accounts in one place: Connect all your clouds to MultCloud and you'll find it so easy to access and manage multiple cloud storage files with a single login.

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