How Do I Solve Cannot Start Microsoft Outlook 2016 Issue?

What is the Cannot Start Microsoft Outlook Cannot Open the Outlook Error?

This error is just the difficulty of starting the Outlook application. It interrupts the organization’s workflow and generally occurs when you try to access MS Outlook. But either the file and settings are corrupted or Outlook has crashed, frozen, and thrown errors. Whatever, the cause may be, it needs to be fixed with immediate effects.

Reasons for Cannot Start Microsoft Outlook 2016 Error

I can’t start Microsoft Outlook. It is probably due to the following factors:

• Corrupted PST File or Navigation Pane Settings
• Incorrect configuration or improper installation of the application.
• The system or Outlook PST file is infected by a virus or malware.
• Internal registry conflicts or wrong installation of add-ins.
• Using an old profile or new profile on the older version of Outlook.
• Accidental deletion of any crucial setting or Outlook PST file.

How to Solve Outlook 2016 Won’t Start Issue?

As stated above, there are various reasons for the occurrence of this error. But don’t worry. This section provides reliable manual solutions and a professional tool for quickly fixing the error. Let’s get started with the step-by-step procedure discussed in detail below.

Method 1: Resolve Cannot Start Microsoft Outlook 2016 with Basic Solutions

This section explains different manual methods. Ensure you have updated the MS Outlook and Windows OS beforehand. Furthermore, follow the given steps carefully.

1. Launch MS Outlook in Safe Mode

To do so, Press Windows + R, type Outlook.exe/safe and click OK.

2. Try Disabling Faulty Add-Ins

1. Open Outlook. Hit File, choose Options, and click Add-ins.
2. Here, choose COM Add-ins in Manage and click Go.<
   
3. Unselect all checked Add-ins and click OK. Then, restart Outlook.

3. Recover/Eliminate Navigation Pane Configuration File

1. Close Outlook and press Win + R. Here, type outlook.exe /resetnavpane.
   
2. Click OK and check if the error is solved. Else, delete the file.
3. Further, open the Run dialog box from Start and enter:

%appdata%\Microsoft\Outlook

Click OK.

4. It will open the location where configuration files are stored.
5. Now, search for the Outlook.xml file and delete it.
   

4. Turn Compatibility Mode Off in MS Outlook

1. Locate the Outlook.exe file location from the search menu. Right-click and select Properties.
2. In the open dialog box, click Compatibility and uncheck Run this program in compatibility mode. Click OK.
   
3. Then, try restarting Outlook. If it still doesn’t work, restore any previous version, if there.

Method 2: Cannot Start Microsoft Outlook Cannot Open: Create New Profile

1. Open Control Panel >> User Accounts >> click Mail >> tap Show Profiles.
2. Here, click Add and provide a new profile name. Click OK.
   
3. Further, in the Add Account Email dialog box, provide details and hit Next.
   
4. Subsequently, complete the configuration process and hit Finish.
5. At last, set the newly created profile as the default profile to be used for Outlook. Now, restart Outlook.

Method 3: Repair Outlook PST Using Inbox Repair Tool to Solve Outlook 2016 Won’t Start

1. Go to C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office 16.
2. Now, search scanpst.exe and double-click to open the repair dialog box.
3. Afterward, click Browse and locate the file to repair. Hit Start.
   
4. Further, you can choose to create a backup of your file. Else, click Repair.

Limitations of the Manual Method

• Users must have technical knowledge to execute these techniques.
• These manual ways contain risks and can result in data loss.
• A manual way to repair PST is not suitable for severely corrupt or oversized PSTs.

Automated Tool to Solve Cannot Start Microsoft Outlook 2016 Issue Due to Corrupt PST

To overcome the limitations of the manual way of repairing PST. The SysInfo PST File Recovery Tool is an excellent solution. It recovers your corrupt or damaged PST file with 100% accuracy and has no file size limitations. This versatile utility ensures no data is lost and all Outlook mailbox items are recovered appropriately. You can easily connect Microsoft Outlook 2003 to Exchange Server by using this tool. Along with that, it saves the recovered PST files in multiple file formats like EML, MBOX, MSG, etc. Moreover, it supports PST files created in different Outlook versions and on Windows OS. Some essential features that this comprehensive utility holds are:

• Provides feature to handle alignment errors and filter data as per date.
• Find missing PST through its advanced search feature.
• Offers three different recovery modes to handle corruption.
• This utility also helps to solve Error 0x80070021 without any hassle.

Steps to Repair Corrupted PST

1. Install and start the tool. Hit Open and tap (…) to add the PST file.
2. Select the Standard, Advanced, or Deep mode of recovery. Click OK.
   
3. Expand the tree format and preview files/folders. Select them and hit Save.
4. Then, click (…) to browse and select a destination to save. Press OK.
5. Next, choose the desired file format (PST, MSG, EML, MBOX, and DBX).
6. At last, choose optional filters and press OK to end the recovery process.<
   

Conclusion

In some scenarios, MS Outlook probably won’t work efficiently and show errors. One such issue is “cannot start Microsoft Outlook 2016” as stated in this blog. If you face this error, simply follow the solutions provided above. You can opt for a free manual solution to resolve your issue. However, if the file is corrupted or goes missing, opt for the professional tool for a quick solution.

Frequently Asked Questions

About The Author:

Deep Shikha

Deep Shikha Pandey is a Tech Writing Expert having deep knowledge about Outlook, Gmail, Yahoo, SQL, and other databases and email clients. She will guide you the best about email migration and SQL Database recovery using her expertise and making all the processes a cakewalk for the readers. Make your technical journey easy with simple layman’s blogs and accurate technical information.