my outlook email account will not load

End any Outlook process that is stuck in the background, and then reopen Outlook.

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Look for Microsoft Outlook or Outlook under Processes.
3. Select it, and then choose End task.
4. Close Task Manager and open Outlook again.

This directly addresses the symptom where Outlook briefly appears to start but no window opens.^1^

If Outlook still does not open

1. Test Outlook in Safe Mode

Safe Mode starts Outlook without third-party add-ins:

1. Press Windows key + R.
2. Enter:

outlook.exe /safe

3. Select OK.
4. If Choose Profile appears, accept the default profile and select OK.

If Outlook opens in Safe Mode:

1. Go to File → Options → Add-ins.
2. At the bottom, select COM Add-ins under Manage, and then select Go.
3. Record or screenshot the enabled add-ins.
4. Clear their check boxes and select OK. Do not select Remove.
5. Restart Outlook normally.
6. Re-enable the add-ins one at a time, restarting Outlook after each one, until the problem returns. Leave the problem add-in disabled.^2^

2. Run Microsoft’s startup troubleshooter

This option applies to classic Outlook on Windows 10 or later, not new Outlook:

1. Open the Windows Get Help app on the affected computer.
2. Search for Classic Outlook startup troubleshooter.
3. Run the troubleshooter and apply its recommended fixes.^3^

3. Reset Outlook’s navigation pane

If the navigation-pane configuration is preventing startup:

1. Close Outlook.
2. Press Windows key + R.
3. Enter:

outlook.exe /resetnavpane

4. Select OK.^2^

If none of those steps works

Repair the Microsoft 365 installation:

1. Open Windows Settings → Apps → Installed apps.
2. Find Microsoft 365 or Microsoft Office.
3. Select its menu, choose Modify, and run Quick Repair.
4. Test Outlook.
5. If it still fails, return to the same location and run Online Repair. Online Repair is more thorough and may require an internet connection and reactivation.^4^

If repair does not resolve it, create a new Outlook profile using Microsoft’s startup guidance. Test the new profile before removing the old one. Removing a profile deletes its locally cached offline content, so back up any local Outlook data files first.^2^

References

1. Microsoft outlook won't start, if i click on outlook app it will show hourglass for a few seconds but nothing happens - Microsoft Q&A
2. I can’t start Microsoft Outlook or receive the error “Cannot start Microsoft Outlook. Cannot open the Outlook Window” | Microsoft Support
3. Classic Outlook troubleshooters | Microsoft Support
4. [Classic Outlook](https://support.microsoft.com/outlook/getstarted/outlook-for-windows-not-responding-hangs-freezes-or-stops-working)