Outlook not able to show contacts

Yes—close Outlook and run Microsoft’s Inbox Repair Tool (SCANPST.EXE) against the PST that contains your Contacts; if Contacts still does nothing afterward, test Outlook in safe mode because the earlier Calendar symptom can also indicate an add-in or profile problem.

Check and repair the PST

1. In classic Outlook, select File → Account Settings → Account Settings → Data Files.
2. Note the path and whether the file is a .pst or .ost.
   • Use SCANPST.EXE for a PST.
   • If it is an Exchange .ost, the tool does not inspect the server mailbox; the OST can instead be recreated from the mailbox.
3. Back up the PST, then exit Outlook completely.
4. Open SCANPST.EXE. For Outlook 2016 or 2019, Microsoft documents this common location: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16
5. Select Browse, choose the PST identified in step 1, and select Start.
6. If errors are reported, select Repair and retain the option to create a backup.
7. Restart Outlook with the profile that uses that PST and test People/Contacts. Microsoft notes that the scan may need to be run several times. Recovered items can appear under Recovered Personal Folders or Lost and Found.^1^

If the PST scan is clean or Contacts still will not open

Test Outlook without add-ins:

1. Press Windows+R.
2. Enter outlook.exe /safe, then select OK.
3. Open People/Contacts.
4. If it works in safe mode:
   • Go to File → Options → Add-ins.
   • At Manage: COM Add-ins, select Go.
   • Record the enabled add-ins, then clear their check boxes—do not remove them.
   • Restart Outlook normally and re-enable them one at a time, restarting after each, until the failure returns.^2^

If Contacts also fails in safe mode, test a new Outlook profile:

1. Close Outlook.
2. Open Control Panel → User Accounts → Mail → Show Profiles.
3. Select Add, configure the same email account, and choose Prompt for a profile to be used.
4. Start Outlook and select the new profile.

If Contacts opens there, the original Outlook profile is damaged. Do not delete the old profile until any locally stored PST data has been backed up.^3^

References

1. Repair Outlook Data Files (.pst and .ost) | Microsoft Support
2. Classic Outlook (#tab/classic-outlook)
3. Classic Outlook not responding, stuck at "Processing," stopped working, or freezes | Microsoft Support