The desktop version of Outlook is perhaps one of the most popular email client apps in the world. However, while it might be a well-made application with many great features to stay on top of your messages, tasks, and appointments, sooner or later it may stop working.

When you least expect it, the app may get stuck in the loading splash with the 'Processing' message. It may stop responding, freeze, or break entirely as you try to open a file or send an important email.

Although there could be many reasons causing a problem, there are a number of general troubleshooting steps that you can follow to get the desktop Outlook app working again.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through some troubleshooting steps to fix common problems with the desktop version of Outlook 2016.

How to fix 'Processing' message while opening Outlook

If Outlook gets stuck loading with the 'Processing' message, close the app, and launch it in safe mode to try fixing this problem using the following steps:

1. Use the Windows key + R keyboard shortcut to open the Run command.

2. Type the following command and press Enter to start Outlook in safe mode:

   outlook.exe /safe

3. Click the OK button.

4. Close the Outlook (Safe Mode) app.

Once you've completed the steps, launch the app normally one more time, and Outlook should no longer get stuck with the 'Processing' message.

How to install Windows 10 and Office updates

In Microsoft Outlook 2016 for Mac or Office for Mac 2011, you receive a 'No Results' message when you try to search for an email message or apply a filter to a folder, and task items are not displayed in.

Although Windows 10 and Office can receive and install updates automatically, sometimes they may have some missing patches that could cause apps (such as Outlook) not to work correctly.

If Outlook refuses to work, or it's always freezing, you may want to check that your device has the latest updates installed.

Installing Windows updates

To make sure that Windows 10 is up-to-date, do the following:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Update & Security.
3. Click on Windows Update.

4. Click the Check for updates button.

Installing Office updates

To check for Office updates, do the following:

1. Open Outlook.
2. Click on File.
3. Click on Office Account.
4. Click the Update Options button located on the right-side.

5. Click the Update Now option.

   Quick Tip: If you don't see the Update Now option, you may need to click Enable Updates first.

After completing the steps, you can close the 'You're up to date!' dialog, or follow the on-screen directions to install new updates if available.

How to fix Outlook reinstalling Office

Sometime Outlook may stop responding or experience problems because of installation issues. Luckily, Office includes a repair utility to fix common problems with the suite of apps.

To repair the installation, close any running Office application, and do the following:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Apps.
3. Click on Apps & features.
4. Select the Office installation. (The name of the installation will be slightly different depending on the edition you have installed.)

5. Click the Modify button.

6. Select the repair option:
   • Quick repair: Resolves most issues using files already stored on your device to repair your version of Office.
   • Online repair (recommended): Resolves any issues with Office, but it requires an internet connection to download the necessary files to repair your applications.

7. Click the Repair button.

8. Click the Repair button again.

Once you've completed the steps, the repair tool will do a clean reinstallation of Office, and after the process, you should be able to use the Outlook 2016 app normally without issues.

How to fix Outlook data files

If after repairing the installation, you're still experiencing problems, then it could be something wrong with the Outlook data files.

Outlook 2016 uses two types of data files, including the Offline Outlook File (.ost) and the Outlook Data File (.pst), depending on the type of account you configured to store offline copies of your emails, contacts, calendars, and other items. If these files stop working for any reason, you can use the Office Inbox Repair Tool to scan and repair the files to get Outlook working again.

You can use this guide to repair the data files to fix problems with the Outlook app.

How to create a new Outlook profile

An Outlook profile contains a lot of settings that manage the behavior of the app. If you're experiencing issues, there's a chance that the profile might be damaged or a misconfiguration may be causing the problem.

To create a new profile, close Outlook, and do the following:

1. Open Control Panel.
2. Click on User Accounts.

3. Click on Mail.

4. Click the Show Profiles button.

5. Click the Add button.

6. Under 'Profile name,' enter a descriptive name for the profile.

7. Click OK.

8. Type the email address and password of your primary account previously configured on Outlook.

9. Click Next.

10. Continue with any additional on-screen directions as directed.

11. Click Finish.

12. In the 'General' tab from 'Show Profiles,' select the Prompt for a profile to be used option.

13. Click Apply.
14. Click OK.
15. Open Outlook.
16. Use the 'Profile Name' drop-down menu, and select the new profile.

17. Click OK.

After completing the steps, it may take some time to load Outlook 2016 with the new profile, but after it's up and running, if you're no longer experiencing problems, then the issue was related to your old profile, and you should delete it.

Mac Outlook 2011 Lost Inbox Site Answers.microsoft.com Free

Deleting a profile

To delete the old damaged profile, close Outlook, and do the following:

1. Open Control Panel.
2. Click on User Accounts.

3. Click on Mail.

4. Click the Show Profiles button.

5. Select the old profile.

6. Click Remove.

7. Click Yes to confirm the deletion.

8. Select the Always use this profile option.

9. Click Apply.
10. Click OK.

Lost Inbox Yahoo

Wrapping things up

While using Outlook 2016, you may come across some issues that may require specific troubleshooting steps, the instructions on this guide will help anyone to resolve most problems — especially using the Office repair option.

More Windows 10 resources

Mac Outlook 2011 Lost Inbox Site Answers.microsoft.com Page

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My father has full access to the Internet through Wifi all the time, but Microsoft Outlook email only works when plugged into my router via an ethernet cable – not through Wifi. Everything else works flawless on Wifi. It’s a Dell laptop running Windows XP Home. Any ideas?

Mac Outlook 2011 Lost Inbox Site Answers.microsoft.com Online

1. How to Configure Outlook Express for WiFi
   http://www.ehow.com/how_5887264_configure-outlook-express-wifi.html

   unless it's blocking outbound port 25 TCP

   set up your SMTP server details in Outlook. Look in your email account settings for outgoing SMTP server settings.

   many ISPs have outgoing mail filters in place so that viruses can't send out spam from multiple computers

   • What do I do if outbound port 25 TCP is blocked? Wouldn't it be blocked via an Ethernet cable too?

     • read this
       http://support.google.com/wifi/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=45398

       TCP Port 25 doesn't always mean that port won't pass traffic - it could just mean it will only pass specific types of traffic, such as SMTP.
       http://mostlygeek.com/tech/smtp-on-port-587/

       Use TCP Port 587 For Mail Submission
       http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,1838667,00.asp

       1) Open Outlook.2) Tools -> Accounts3) go to the 'Mail' tab.4)
       select the account and click 'Properties'.5) Go to the 'Advanced' Tab in the
       new window.6) Set the 'Outgoing mail (SMTP)' option to 587 from 25. Hit
       'Ok'.Outlook should now use port 587 for sending mail.

       is it the first time that you encounter this wifi problem. Because if you read this
       http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_vista-windows_programs/outlook-wont-send-email/21667c42-2319-4b04-94d7-4c6dd953127b
       2007 Outlook will not send email from wifi connections? but outlook express works fine?

       • I tried changing the port number, but there's no 'Outgoing mail (SMTP)' - all I see is the attached pic. It's Outlook 2003.

       • amazing... My outlook and internet works everywhere but not in my new office where outlook cannot send mails. I have just changed the outgoing port to 587 and everything worked like magic...
         Thanks a ton!

2. Hello, what happens when you try using outlook with wireless? Does it give you any error? Does outlook open at all?

   • It opens and tries to connect but fails. He can see and click emails, but cannot check for incoming or send any out. Thanks, I'll look this weekend.