Outlook allows us to create meetings, appointments, tasks, and contacts in one place; it keeps track of our tasks, monitors our meetings, works through a calendar; it schedules our emails.
But all these great features don’t mean anything if you can’t even start the app.
Unfortunately, Outlook stuck on loading is a common issue whether it’s Outlook from 2007 or Outlook 365. But no more.
Here, I’ve explained why you are facing this problem and have described all the tested fixes that will solve it.
Rest assured, after you go through the article; you won’t have to face this problem again.
Potential Reasons why Microsoft Outlook Stuck On Loading Error
Unlike other errors where the error gives you the reason why it is here and provides the error code, so you may know exactly what the fix is, the loading profile stuck error doesn’t give any information; it simply gets stuck.
But it is essential to know the enemy before we fight. You need to understand why Outlook is getting stuck at loading your profile.
Here is a list of the most common reasons why Outlook is hanging at the loading profile:
- A corrupted Outlook profile.
- A temporary bug or glitch in the navigation panel.
- Compatibility issues.
- Problems within Outlook add-ins.
- Corrupted Outlook data file (OST/PST file).
- Administrative privileges are disabled for Outlook.
Now that you have a pretty good idea of why you are facing this problem, it’s time to get rid of it for good.
Check our new guide, how to Change Outlook View HTML to Plain Text.
How to Fix Outlook won’t Open Or is Stuck at Loading Profile?
The most effective fixes for Outlook hanging when loading the profile is to run Outlook as an admin, stop other Office apps, repair Office and Outlook, create a new Outlook profile, and disable the Outlook presence feature and add-ins.
Here’s How To Fix The Outlook Stuck On Loading Profile:
1. Launch Outlook as an Administrator
Running Outlook as an administrator will grant it all the permissions it needs to program correctly.
Here are the steps to run Outlook with administrative privileges:
- Click the Search icon and type Outlook.
- Right-click on the Outlook icon and select Run as administrator.
- Click on Yes for confirmation.
Read more on how to Change Client-Only Rule to Server in Outlook.
2. Disconnect from Internet & Use Outlook in Airplane Mode
Outlook might be having problems trying to fetch your emails or trying to access data online but failing, and that’s why it’s getting stuck while loading.
Try running Outlook in the Airplane mode and see if it loads.
Here’s how to disconnect the internet & turn on Airplane mode:
- Click on the Network icon in the taskbar.
- Select Disconnect under the network you are connected to.
- Click on Airplane mode to enable it.
- Launch Outlook and see if it opens or not.
You are having this problem might be because office-related tasks are still running.
Here are the steps to kill any office program from the task manager:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
- Select any Microsoft Office app that’s running.
- Click End task to stop the app.
Also, read how to Enable Read Receipts In Outlook.
4. Repair Defected Outlook Files
If any Outlook file is corrupted, it may be causing issues with opening the app, and you need to repair it.
Here’s the process of repairing Outlook files:
- Right-click on the Outlook shortcut and select Properties.
- Select Open File Location from the Shortcut tab.
- Choose SCANPST.EXE, open it, and The Microsoft Outlook Inbox Repair Tool will pop up.
- Quit Outlook if it’s running and click the Browse button and go to
C:\Users\*yourusername*\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook. 
- Select your profile and click Start.
- Click OK when the scan and repair are complete.
Also related to this guide is how to add email signature in Outlook.
5. Repair Defected Office Files
A corrupted Office file can cause many unexpected issues, including the Outlook stuck on loading problem, and you have to repair it.
Here are the steps to repair Microsoft Office files:
- Click on the Search icon, type Control Panel and open it.
- Go to Programs > Programs and Features.
- Select Microsoft Office Professional Plus or whichever Office version you are using and click Change.
- Choose Quick Repair and click the Repair button.
Open Outlook and check whether the problem is resolved or not when the repair process finishes.
6. Disable Hardware Acceleration
Hardware acceleration is a feature of Outlook that allows the app to run more efficiently. But on old devices enabling this option might cause problems. And it’s a good idea to disable it.
But to disable the option, you need to open Outlook, which you are having trouble with. No worries, though. You can launch Outlook on safe mode and disable hardware acceleration.
Here’s how to disable hardware acceleration in Outlook:
- Press Windows + R key to launch Run.
- Type Outlook.exe /safe and press enter to open Outlook in safe mode.
- Go to File > Options.
- Move to the Advanced tab.
- Check Disable hardware graphic acceleration under Display.
- Select OK.
- Close Outlook and open it normally.
Related guide on how to view message headers in Outlook.
7. Launch Outlook Safe Mode and Disable Add-Ins
Some 3rd party add-ins can cause problems with the app, and you might need to disable them. Open Outlook in safe mode again and disable the add-ins.
Here’s how to disable add-ins on safe mode in Outlook:
- Press Windows + R key to launch Run.
- Type Outlook.exe /safe and press enter to open Outlook in safe mode.
- Go to File > Options.
- Move to the Add-ins tab.
- Select Com add-ins beside Manage and click the Go button.
- Uncheck add-ins and click the OK.
- Close Outlook and open it in the normal mode.
8. Make a New Outlook Profile
If the problem persists, it might be because your profile is corrupted, and you need to make a new one.
Here’s the procedure to create a new profile in Outlook:
- Click on the Search icon, type Control Panel and open it.
- Search and open Mail.
- Select Show Profiles and click on Add.
- Give your profile a name, set up your email & password, and click Next.
- Choose Outlook, check Always use this profile, and click OK.
After these steps, Outlook will open with this newly created profile.
9. Turn Off the Compatibility Reference on Outlook
Sometimes Windows 11/10 will run Outlook in compatibility mode for Windows 7, and Office 365 Outlook might hang because of it.
Here’s how to disable compatibility references for Outlook:
- Right-click on the Outlook shortcut and select Properties.
- Go to the Compatibility tab.
- Uncheck Run this program in compatibility mode.
- Click Apply to confirm the change.
Resetting the navigation panel might fix the issue at hand.
Here’s how to reset the navigation panel:
- Press Windows + R key to launch Run.
- Type outlook.exe/resetnavpane.
- Click OK.
These steps will set the navigation panel to its default mode, and you can continue the Outlook services.
11. Stop Office Processes in Task Manager & Disable Outlook Presence Feature
To solve the Outlook stuck on loading issue, Microsoft themselves suggested stopping all Office processes and turning off the Outlook presence feature.
Here are the steps to end Office tasks & disable Outlook presence:
- Right-click on the taskbar and choose Task Manager.
- Select any Microsoft Office app that’s running.
- Click on the End task button to stop the app.
- Go to File > Options > People in Outlook. If you can’t open Outlook, run it in safe mode.
- Disable Show user photographs when available options.
- Close and restart Outlook normally.
12. Update Windows
A defected process running in the background or a temporary bug might be preventing Outlook from starting.
If that’s the case, check for Windows updates, update your drivers if available, and restart your PC after updating.
Here’s the process of updating Windows:
- Click the Windows icon.
- Go to Settings > Update & Security.
- Move to the Windows Update tab.
- Click Check for updates.
If an update is available, it will be downloaded and installed.
FAQs
Why is Outlook stuck on starting?
Outlook stuck on starting can be due to a corrupted profile or OST/PST file, bug in the navigation panel, add-ins, or compatibility problems.
How do I unfreeze my Outlook email?
You can unfreeze your Outlook email by running Outlook as an administrator, repairing Outlook files, repairing Office files, disabling hardware acceleration & add-ins in Outlook, disabling compatibility references, or resetting the navigation panel.
Why is my Outlook stuck on updating inbox?
Outlook stuck on updating inbox can be due to wrong email settings, corrupted add-ins, profiles, or OST/PST files, insufficient mailbox space, large local cache, or conflict with antivirus.
Final Thoughts
Outlook keeps hanging while loading is a general problem that has been out there since Outlook first launched. So all these years, people have tried different fixes; some solutions work for a group of users, and remain fixes work for others.
And in this article, I’ve combined all the possible solutions. Therefore, the problem will be fixed indefinitely.
Let me know if you have any questions regarding Outlook or other apps. See you in the comment section.
