Microsoft Outlook Stuck In Loop

Ashwani Tiwari | Published: December 27, 2019 | MS Outlook

I'm having some issues with one single email, that keeps getting send to it's recipient over and over every 30 minutes. It does not show up in the Sent-folder or the Outbox-folder, but if I look at the message-trace it's being sent.

You were composing an important an email & suddenly your outlook stuck on sending email. Your Outlook hangs on loading profile or freezes while replying to an email. Or simply your Outlook is not responding.

Microsoft Outlook Stuck In Loop How To

Ifyou are facing these kinds of problems then no need to look further.In this blog I am going to tell you easy ways to correct this.

Outlook Stuck at Processing, To Start Outlook in Safe Mode Follow These Steps:

  1. In Windows 7, choose Start, and in the Search programs and files box, type Outlook /safe, and then press Enter. In Windows 8, on the Apps menu, choose Run, type Outlook /safe, and then choose OK. Close Outlook, and then open it normally. If Outlook isn't stuck at a screen that says 'Processing,' or this didn't resolve your issue, continue to.
  2. Apr 07, 2021 In the Change Account dialog box, click More Settings. In the Microsoft Exchange dialog box, select the Security tab. On the Logon network security list, select Anonymous Authentication, and then click OK. Click Next, click Finish, and then click Close on the Account Settings dialog box.
  3. As of yesterday, the shared mailbox (for her only) is hung up on 'Updating this folder' and will never update or receive new mail. Everybody else on that box is fine. Her main mailbox is fine. I did some clicking around but wasn't able to figure it out right away (she had to take the machine into a meeting) so while I'm waiting to click around.
  1. In Windows 10- click Start >> type outlook.exe/ safe >> press Enter
  2. For Windows 7- click Start >> type outlook.exe/ safe in SearchPrograms and Files box >> press Enter
  3. Windows 8- choose Run in the Apps menu >> type outlook.exe/ safe >> click OK
  • Close Outlook then open it again normally.(FOR ALL WINDOWS OPTIONS)

If Outlook Stuck Or Hangs For Other Reasons Then, Follow These Steps:

  1. If a dialogue box has been opened: anything you do in outlook, it asks for confirmation. For example if you will delete any contact. Outlook will ask if you are sure want to do that. If you avoid to choose anything, Outlook won’t let you do anything else. In this case, check for dialogue box. Press Alt+Tab to see what is it, that stopping your outlook from responding.
  2. Check if your Outlook got stuck on working on large processes: if you are deleting or moving thousands of messages at once. Outlook might appear like it got stuck. But actually it is working behind the scenes. Check the status bar at the bottom of the screen. Give some time to Outlook. Outlook should start working again.
  3. Install latest Windows & update Office: It is recommended that your Windows should be latest and your windows applications up-to-date. For better user experience and better running of Apps. To install latest version and update Office check Install Office updates.
  4. Repair Office programs: It can resolve your issues of Outlook hangs / freezes while performing operations. To do this quit all running program. In Control Panel you can choose Programs and Features. Right click Microsoft Office 2016 / Microsoft Office 2013 then click Change.
  5. Repair outlook data files: If your Outlook stuck or freezes its better to repair your Outlook PST / OST files with scanpst.exe of Inbox repair tool. To do this exit Outlook and go to Repair Outlook Data Files (.pst and .ost) and follow the given steps.
  6. Create new profile: you can create new outlook user profile & check if still your Outlook hangs. To create new profile choose the following options:
  • In windows 10- click start >> choose control panel & press Enter >> choose User Account >> Mail >> Show Profiles.
  • For windows 8- In Apps menu choose control panel >> Mail >> Show Profiles
  • For windows 7- click start >> control panel >> Mail >> Show Profiles.

>> Choose Add & type a profile name in Profile Name >> choose OK.

>> Enter Email address with password for the primary account in Outlook then, follow the steps to create a profile.

>> After creating profile, on the Show Profile choose Prompt for a profile to be used.

>> Start Outlook & choose your new profile.

Conclusion:

Inthis article, I have discussed all the solutions totry when your Outlook stuck and do not respond. Thereare numerous options you can choose to resolve this issue. It isadvisable that you use latest version of windows and up-to-datewindows applications.

You can repair your programs & Outlook data files by running scanpst.exe. You can also create new user profile in Outlook.

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Original KB number: 2652320

Symptoms

When you open a file or send an email message in Microsoft Outlook 2010 or later versions, Outlook freezes, or you receive the following error message:

Outlook not responding

Cause

This problem occurs for one or more of the following reasons:

  • You have not installed the latest updates.
  • Outlook is in use by another process.
  • Outlook is loading external content, such as images in an email message.
  • A previously installed add-in is interfering with Outlook.
  • Your mailboxes are too large.
  • Your AppData folder is redirected to a network location.
  • You have to repair your Office programs.
  • Outlook data files have become corrupted or damaged.
  • Your installed antivirus software is outdated, or it conflicts with Outlook.
  • Your user profile has become corrupted.
  • Another program conflicts with Outlook.

Note

  • This issue may occur for one or more of the reasons in this section. To fix this issue, you may have to follow the troubleshooting steps in the Resolution section.
  • Many of these items can be automatically checked by the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant (SaRA). To start the automated checks, follow these steps:
    1. Install the Outlook Advanced Diagnostics tool.
    2. Select Run when you are prompted by your browser.
    3. In the report that's generated, review the items on the Issues found tab. For configuration details about Outlook, Windows, and your computer, review the settings on the Detailed View tab.

Resolution

To resolve this problem, make sure that your computer meets the Outlook 2016 system requirements, Outlook 2013 system requirements or Outlook 2010 system requirements.

Note

Microsoft Outlook Stuck In Loop

These steps are provided in a specific order based on commonality and complexity. Follow these steps in the given order.

Outlook

Step 1 - Install the latest updates

The Office installation on your computer might not be up to date. This might be because Windows Update is not configured on your computer to automatically download and install recommended updates. By installing important, recommended, and optional updates, you can often correct problems by replacing out-of-date files and fixing vulnerabilities. To install the latest Office updates, click the link for your version of Windows, and then follow the steps in the article:

Make sure that the latest updates for Outlook are installed. For more information, see How to install the latest applicable updates for Microsoft Outlook (US English only).

Step 2 - Make sure that Outlook is not in use by another process

Performance may be decreased if you use the Outlook AutoArchive feature or sync to Outlook with a mobile device. This is because these processes can use a large number of resources.

If Outlook is in use by another process, this information is displayed in the status bar at the bottom of the screen. If you try to perform other actions while Outlook is in use, Outlook may not respond. Let the task in process finish its job before you try another action.

Step 3 - Check the problem caused by external content

To resolve this issue, use one of the following methods:

  • Prevent Outlook to download external contents. To do this, go to File > Options > Trust Center > Automatic Download, select the following two options:
    • Don't download pictures or other content automatically in HTML e-mail option.
    • Warn me before downloading content when editing, forwarding, or replying e-mail.
  • Avoid sending such an email with external source.

Step 4 - Investigate possible add-in issues

Although add-ins can enhance your user experience, they can occasionally interfere or conflict with Outlook. Try to start Outlook without any add-ins running.

Microsoft outlook stuck in loop tutorial

How to start Outlook without add-ins

  1. Do the following, as appropriate for your operating system:
    • If you are running Windows 8, swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap Search. (If you are using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, and then select Search.) Type Run in the search box, and then tap or select Run.
    • If you are running Windows 10, Windows 7 or Windows Vista, select Start.
    • If you are running Windows XP, select Start, and then select Run.
  2. Type Outlook.exe /safe, and then select OK.
  3. If the problem is resolved, select Options on the File menu, and then select Add-Ins.
  4. Select COM Add-ins, and then select Go.
  5. Clear all the check boxes in the list, and then select OK.
  6. Restart Outlook.

If the problem does not occur after you restart Outlook, one of the add-ins is likely the cause of the problem. Restore the add-ins one at a time until the problem does occur to determine which add-in is causing the problem.

Step 5 - Check whether your mailbox is too large

As your mailbox size increases, more resources are required to open each folder. If you have a large number of items in any single folder, you may experience performance issues during certain operations. For more information, see Outlook performance issues when there are too many items or folders in a cached mode .ost or .pst file.

Loop

We recommend that you move several items in your larger folders to separate folders, or that you archive those items by using the AutoArchive feature.

How to create a folder

  1. On the Folder tab, select New Folder in the New group.

  2. In the Name box, enter a name for the folder.

  3. In the Select where to place the folder list, select the location for the new folder.

    Note

    The new folder will become a subfolder of the folder you select.

  4. Select OK.

To manage your mailbox by reducing the size of the Outlook data file, see Reduce the size of Outlook Data Files (.pst and .ost).

To manage your mailbox by using the AutoArchive feature, see AutoArchive settings explained.

Step 6 - Check whether your AppData folder is being redirected to a network location

Outlook stores certain data, such as email signatures and the spelling checker dictionary, in the AppData folder. If the network is performing slowly, Outlook must wait for read and write operations to the AppData directory to finish.

How to disable redirection of the AppData directory

  1. Exit Outlook.

  2. Start Registry Editor. To do this, use one of the following procedures, as appropriate for your version of Windows:

    • Windows 10 or Windows 8: Press Windows Key+R to open a Run dialog box. Type regedit.exe and then press OK.
    • Windows 7: Select Start, type regedit.exe in the search box, and then press Enter.
  3. In Registry Editor, locate and then select the following subkey:

    HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerUser Shell Folders

  4. Locate and then double-click the AppData value.

  5. In the Value data box, type the following path, and then select OK:
    %USERPROFILE%AppDataRoaming

  6. Exit Registry Editor.

Step 7 - Repair Office programs

You can automatically repair your Office program files to resolve such problems as Outlook freezing or not responding.

How to automatically repair Office

  1. Exit any Microsoft Office programs that are running.
  2. Open Control Panel, and then open the Add or Remove Programs item (if you are running Windows XP) or Programs and Features (if you are running Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, or Windows Vista).
  3. In the list of installed programs, right-click Microsoft Office 2016, Microsoft Office 2013 or Microsoft Office 2010, and then select Repair.

Microsoft Outlook Stuck In Loop Login

Step 8 - Repair Outlook data files

When you install Outlook, an Inbox repair tool (scanpst.exe) is also installed on your PC. The Inbox repair tool can resolve problems by scanning your Outlook data files, and repairing errors. To use the Inbox repair tool, exit Outlook, and then follow the steps in Repair Outlook Data Files (.pst and .ost).

Step 9 - Check whether antivirus software is up-to-date or conflicts with Outlook

If your antivirus software is not up-to-date, Outlook may not function correctly.

How to check whether antivirus software is up to date

To keep up with new viruses as they are created, antivirus software vendors periodically provide updates that you can download from the Internet. Download the latest updates by visiting your antivirus software vendor's website.

For a list of antivirus software vendors, see Consumer antivirus software providers for Windows.

Outlook

How to check whether antivirus software conflicts with Outlook

If your antivirus software includes integration with Outlook, you may experience performance issues. You can disable all Outlook integration within the antivirus software. Or, you can disable any antivirus software add-ins that are installed in Outlook.

Important

When you change your antivirus settings, this may make your PC vulnerable to viral, fraudulent, or malicious attacks. We do not recommend that you try to change your antivirus settings. Use this workaround at your own risk.

You may have to contact your antivirus software vendor to determine how to configure the software to exclude any integration with Outlook or to exclude scanning in Outlook.

Note

If you also plan to perform file-level virus scanning of .pst, .ost, Offline Address Book (.oab), or other Outlook files while Outlook is in use, see Plan antivirus scanning for Outlook 2010 or Planning considerations for deploying Outlook 2016 for Windows.

Step 10 - Create a user profile in Outlook

To create a user profile, follow these steps:

  1. In Control Panel, select Programs, select User Accounts, and then select Mail to open Mail items.

  2. Select Show Profiles.

  3. Select the profile that you want to remove, and then select Remove.

  4. Select Add.

  5. In the Profile Name dialog box, type a name for the profile.

  6. Specify the user name, the primary SMTP address, and the password. Then, select Next.

  7. You may receive the following prompt:
    Allow this website to configure <alias@domain server> settings?

    In this prompt, select the Don't ask me about this again checkbox, and then select Allow.

Step 11 - Perform a Selective Startup (advanced users)

When you start Windows normally, several applications and services start automatically and then run in the background. These applications and services can interfere with Outlook. A Selective Startup or 'clean boot' process can help you identify problems that are caused by application conflicts.

If you use the Selective Startup option in System Configuration, you can turn services and startup programs on or off individually to check whether the problem occurs the next time that you start your computer. In System Configuration, if you select a check box, the related service or startup program runs when you restart the computer. If the check box is cleared, the service or startup program does not run when you restart the computer.

Follow this procedure to use the process of elimination to identify the problem in Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, or Windows Vista.

Note

For more information about performing a clean boot, see How to perform a clean boot in Windows.

How to do a Selective startup

  1. In Control Panel, select System and Security, select Administrative Tools, and then double-click System Configuration.

    Note

    If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

  2. Select the General tab, select Selective startup, and then clear the Load system services and the Load startup items check boxes.

  3. Select the Load system services check box, select OK, and then select Restart.

  4. If the problem reoccurs after you restart the computer, do one or both of the following tasks, as necessary.

    To determine which system service is causing the problem

    1. In System Configuration, select the Services tab, select Disable all, select the check box for the first service that is listed, and then restart the computer.

      Note

      If the problem doesn't reoccur, then you can eliminate the first service as the cause of the problem.

    2. With the first service selected, select the second service check box, and then restart the computer.

    3. Repeat this process until you reproduce the problem.

      Note

      If you can't reproduce the problem, you can eliminate system services as the cause of the problem.

    To determine which startup item is causing the problem

    1. In System Configuration, select the General tab, and then select the Load startup items check box.

    2. Select the Startup tab, select Disable all, select the check box for the first startup item that is listed, and then restart the computer.

      Note

      If the problem doesn't reoccur, you can eliminate the first startup item as the cause of the problem.

    3. While the first startup item is selected, select the second startup item check box, and then restart the computer. Repeat this process until you reproduce the problem.

Step 12 - Create a Windows user profile (advanced users)

Your user profile is a collection of settings that let you customize the computer appearance and performance. It contains settings for desktop backgrounds, screen savers, sound settings, and other features. User profiles help make sure that your personal preferences are used when you log on to Windows.

To determine whether this problem is caused by a corrupted user profile, create a user profile to see whether the problem still occurs when you use the new profile.

How to repair a corrupted user profile in Windows 8

Step 1 - Create a user account

To create a user profile, you must first create a user account. When the new account is created, a profile is also created.

  1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap Search. (If you are using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, and then select Search.) Type Command Prompt in the search box, right-click Command Prompt, and then select Run as administrator.

    Note

    If you're prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

  2. Type net user UsernamePassword /add, and then press Enter.

Step 2 - Copy old files to the new user profile** After you create the profile, you can copy the files from the existing profile

Note

You must have at least three user accounts on the computer to complete these steps. This includes the new account you just created.

  1. Log on as a user other than the user that you just created or the user that you want to copy files from.

  2. In Control Panel, select Appearance and Personalization, and then select Folder Options.

  3. Select the View tab, and then select Show hidden files, folders, and drives.

  4. Clear the Hide protected operating system files check box, select Yes to confirm, and then select OK.

  5. Open File Explorer. To do this, Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap Search. (If you are using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, and then select Search.) Enter File Explorer in the search box, tap or select Apps, and then tap or select File Explorer. Type Command Prompt in the search box, right-click Command Prompt, and then select Run as administrator.

  6. Locate the C:UsersOld_Username folder, in which C is the drive that Windows is installed on, and Old_Username is the name of the profile that you want to copy files from.

  7. Select all the files and folders in this folder, except the following files:

    • Ntuser.dat
    • Ntuser.dat.log
    • Ntuser.ini
  8. On the Edit menu, select Copy.

  9. Locate the C:UsersNew_Username folder, in which C is the drive that Windows is installed on, and New_Username is the name of the user profile that you created earlier in this method.

  10. On the Edit menu, select Paste.

  11. Log off, and then log back on as the new user.

Note

If you have email messages in an email program, you must import your email messages and addresses to the new user profile before you delete the old profile. If everything is working correctly, you can now delete the old profile.

Next step

If the information in this article does not help resolve your problem in Outlook 2016, Outlook 2013 or Outlook 2010, see the following resources for more information:

References