Fix Outlook Only Opens In Safe Mode [Proven Solutions 2024]

Outlook is an email client which allows you to send and receive email messages, manage your calendar, store names and numbers of your contacts, and track your tasks.

You must like the Outlook app for its excellent useable features if you are a highly organized person. But sometimes, users face their Outlook only opens in safe mode, which can be frustrating. As it turns out, there can be several different reasons that might cause this error.

I faced the same problem a few days back and resolved it after 3-4 hours of constant effort. In this article, I will undergo every possible way that is capable of solving the Outlook Safe mode error.

So, let’s get started!

Why Does Outlook Only Open in Safe Mode?

The primary reasons for Outlook opening in safe mode are faulty add-ins, computer system errors, older Outlook versions, defective Windows updates, and invalid Outlook profiles. Other causes include a corrupted PST folder and inadequate software implementation that forces Outlook to open in safe mode.

It can be challenging to find the problem all at once. So, I did some research and tracked down all the possible reasons.

Here are the reasons why Outlook only opens in safe mode:

Faulty add-ins

Certain add-ins can create conflicts with Outlook, forcing Outlook to open in safe mode. Sometimes outdated add-ins can be the reason for this issue.

Computer system error

The computer can produce incomplete system files while updating the operating system, which disrupts the connection between the Outlook client and the system file.

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Defective Outlook application

Some app versions get so many bugs and errors that they can’t function with the updated operating system. A defective Outlook application can not sync with the OS, which results in Outlook opening only in safe mode.

Invalid Outlook profile

Incorrect profile settings interrupt the Outlook client’s proper functionality, forcing Outlook to open in safe mode.

Corrupted PST folder

In the long run, files in the PST folder can get scattered or defective, which does not allow the Outlook program to run in normal mode.

Defective software implementation

Some software creates unnecessary issues with the system, which hamper the process of Outlook services causing the program to open in safe mode.

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How to Fix Outlook Only Opens in Safe Mode

Disabling the add-ins, restoring the system, using the latest version of the Outlook application, and uninstalling some unnecessary windows updates can fix these issues.

Other fixes like resetting the Outlook profile, checking the Corrupted PST folder, and disabling defective software help run your Outlook in normal mode.

These fixes work for me like a charm for all the versions of Outlook. So, I recommend you go through all the working solutions below.

Here are the methods to fix Outlook only opening in safe mode:

1. Remove Faulty Add-ins

Some faulty add-ins can create issues with the Outlook client-server, which does not allow the application to run in normal mode, by removing some faulty add-ins can solve this issue.

Here are the steps to remove faulty add-ins: 

• Open the Outlook client in Safe Mode (See the exclamation mark in the Outlook icon on the taskbar for confirmation).
• Click on the File tab and select Options from the Outlook menu.
• Open Add-ins and select Manage from the drop-down menu.
• Select Com Add-ins from the list and click Go.
• Disable or Delete add-ins from the list and hit OK (Before disabling or deleting, take a screenshot of the list, which will help you to restore add-ins if you face any issues)

Go and check our other article on Outlook not working on WiFi.

2. Restore The System

Faulty system files interrupt the process of the Outlook application, which can cause this error. You can solve this issue by restoring the system file using the Windows system restore option, which will revert to your previous situation where this problem never occurs.

Here are the steps to restore the system:

• Hold the Windows+R key to open the Windows run command.
• Type Outlook.exe and Click OK in the dialogue box.
• Choose Different Restore Point from the system restore menu.
• Click on the Show More Restore point to reveal more restore points.
• Choose a Restore Point where your Outlook worked and proceed with the on-screen instruction.

After the restore has finished, check whether your Outlook works ok or not. If the problem exists, try the following methods below.

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3. Restore The Previous Version of The Outlook Application

Sometimes new Outlook version apps can have damaged or corrupted files which can create a problem for the application to run correctly. Restoring it’s previous version will solve these issues.

Here are the steps to restore the previous version of the application: 

• Open the Start Menu and type Outlook.exe on the search bar.
• Right-click on Outlook.exe and select Properties.
• Go to the Previous Version tab and locate exe with a date when it worked.
• Check which version worked for you. (Close the current version and run the working version, repeat it until you find the working version).
• Hit WIN+R Key to open the Run command menu and type Taskmgr.
• Go to the Process tab from Task Manager and locate Outlook.exe.
• Choose File Location and copy all the files from it.
• Paste the file into C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office and check whether the application is working or not.

4. Reset the Outlook Profile

Wrong settings in the Outlook profile can create the issue. Resetting the Outlook profile will solve this issue.

Here are the steps to reset the Outlook profile:  

• Open to Control Panel by typing control panel in the Start menu search bar.
• Go to Mail from the control panel and click on Show Profiles.
• Click on Add button to create a new profile, insert your name and hit OK.
• Follow the process of configuring your email account with Outlook, and don’t forget to use the email you are already open profile with.
• Click Apply to confirm your selection. (Make sure the profile you’ve just created is being used by default)

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5. Check the PST folder

In the PST folder, some corrupted files can prevent the program from running in normal mode. So, checking the PST folder for this error can solve this issue.

Here are the steps to check the PST folder:  

• Close Outlook entirely and go to C:\ Program Files or C:\ Program Files (x86), depending on your Outlook version.
• Type SCANPST.exe on the search bar from the top right corner.
• Open the Browse button from SCANPST.exe, set the path of the PST file you want to scan, and then hit Start to begin the scan. (The PST files are stored in Documents\Outlook By default )
• Click the Repair button to fix them if the scan uncovers errors or inconsistencies.

6. Run The resetnavpane Command

Outlook has a navigation panel where you can oversee your folder list and access various icons to move between calendars, people, tasks, and emails. But sometimes, it can become glitched and cause this error.

Here are the steps to running the resetnavpane command:

• Close Outlook entirely and press WIN+R to access the Run application.
• Type Outlook.exe /resetnavpane in the dialogue box and press OK.

This method should reset your navigation panel and helps Outlook to open in normal mode.

7. Disable Compatibility Mode

Some users suggest their Outlook run in normal mode when they use Compatibility mode. This mode helps the program run as if it were on an older operating system. So by turning it off, it can solve the safe mode error.

Here are the steps to Disable Compatibility Mode:

• Close Outlook entirely and navigate to C:\ Program Files or C:\ Program Files (x86), depending on your Outlook version.
• Right-click on Outlook.exe and click on Properties.
• Open the Compatibility tab and ensure the box directly under Compatibility Mode is unchecked. Click Apply to Confirm your selection.

8. Turn-Off Hardware Acceleration

Hardware Acceleration is a process that forces the application to run smoothly, but it can force Outlook to open in safe mode. So turn-off the hardware Acceleration process can solve the issue.

Here are the steps to turn off the hardware Acceleration:

• Press WIN+R to open the Run application.
• Type regidit in the dialogue box and hit OK.
• Navigate your way through HKEY_CURRENT_USER\ Software\ Microsoft\ Office.
• You will find 0, 16.0 or 8.0 folders (Depending on your Outlook version).
• Right-click in the Common folder, choose New, tap on Key, and name it Graphics.
• Choose the newly made Graphics folder and right-click on the right panel. From there, create a New Dword (32-bit) Value and name it DisableHardwareAcceleration.
• Double-click on DisableHardwareAcceleration, set the Value Data to 1, and hit Ok.

Close regedit and open Outlook again to see if it starts in normal mode.

These are the common fixes for all the Outlook versions. But if you are using Outlook 2010 and your problem is not resolved yet, consider applying the following methods.

9. Uninstall The KB3114409 Update

In 2015, Microsoft gave a security patch that forced Outlook to open in safe mode. So by uninstalling the KB3114409 update, you will be able to solve this error.

Here are the steps to uninstalling the KB3114409 update: 

• Close Outlook entirely, then open Control Panel and tap on Uninstall a program.
• Open installed updates from the Programs and Features window.
• Type KB3114409 in the search bar from the top right corner.
• Uninstall the Update when you identify it.

10. Reset The Safe Mode Registry Key

A faulty registry key prevents the Outlook client from connecting to its network server. So resetting the safe mode registry key can solve this issue. 

Here are the steps to Reset The Safe Mode Registry Key:

• Press Win+R to open the Run application.
• Type regidit in the dialogue box and hit OK.
• Navigate your way through HKEY_CURRENT_USER\ Software\ Microsoft\ Office.
• You will find 0, 16.0 or 8.0 folders (Depending on your Outlook version).
• Right-click in the Security from Outlook tab.
• Right-click the Security key and select New > then DWORD (32-bit) Value.
• Name it DisableSafeMode and press Enter to Confirm.
• Right-click on DisableSafeMode and click on Modify.
• Insert the value 1 in the Value data box and click OK.
• Quit Registry Editor and reboot your computer.

Open Outlook and see if it starts up in normal mode.

Conclusion

Outlook mail service is a day-to-day application we use for numerous purposes. But users might get an awful experience because their Outlook only opens in safe mode.

I suggest you go through my whole article, where I included why this error happened and the methods to eliminate them. Follow the methods accordingly and fix the error.

Comment below if you have any new methods, suggestions, or queries.