Office Apps Freezing

How to Fix Microsoft Outlook Freezing on Multiple Computers

Amos Gikunda Sep 29, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to resolve a recurring issue where Microsoft Outlook becomes unresponsive and freezes while opening email messages across two different laptops.

How to Fix Microsoft Outlook Freezing on Multiple Computers

Product: Microsoft Outlook
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Attempting to read and open email messages on multiple laptops using a Microsoft 365 Family subscription.
Observed behavior: The Outlook application freezes and stops responding during normal use, specifically when clicking to open emails.

Before you start

Before attempting these fixes, make sure you know your email account passwords and back up your local Outlook data files (.pst) to prevent any accidental data loss during troubleshooting.

Solution 1Recommended

Start Outlook in Safe Mode and Disable Add-ins

Running Outlook in Safe Mode bypasses custom settings and third-party add-ins, helping you identify if an extension is causing the application to freeze.

Incompatible or outdated add-ins are one of the most common reasons for Outlook freezing across multiple computers.

Launch Safe Mode

Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box. Type 'Outlook /safe' (without the quotes) and press Enter.

Test Outlook Performance

Try opening a few messages in Safe Mode. If the freezing stops, the issue is likely caused by a conflicting add-in.

Disable Problematic Add-ins

Go to File > Options > Add-ins. Click 'Go...' next to Manage COM Add-ins. Uncheck all add-ins to disable them, then restart Outlook normally. Re-enable them one by one to find the culprit.

Start Outlook in Safe Mode and Disable Add-ins

Safe Mode Success: If Outlook works perfectly in Safe Mode, you have successfully isolated the problem to your add-ins or custom toolbar settings rather than a deeper software corruption.

Solution 2

Check for Problematic Windows Updates (e.g., KB5074109)

Certain Windows system updates have been known to cause Outlook freezing issues, particularly for users managing POP email accounts.

Solution 3

Create a New Outlook User Profile

A corrupted Outlook profile can cause the application to freeze when retrieving or loading message data. Creating a fresh profile often resolves this.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Experience a Faster, Freeze-Free Workflow with WPS Office

If Microsoft Office applications are frequently freezing and slowing down your computers, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a lightweight, highly compatible alternative that provides a seamless document editing experience without the heavy system resource usage that often leads to crashes.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the setup file and follow the on-screen instructions to install the software on your laptop.
3. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Office and instantly open your existing Microsoft Office files without losing any formatting.

Provides a reliable, crash-free alternative when your usual Office applications start freezing.Fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint file formats.Lightweight architecture ensures fast load times even on older laptops.Includes an intuitive, all-in-one tabbed interface for easier multitasking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Outlook freeze only when I try to open specific emails?

This usually occurs if the email contains complex HTML formatting, excessively large attachments, or corrupted message data. Launching Outlook in Safe Mode bypasses many of these rendering issues and allows you to safely delete or move the problematic email.

Will uninstalling a Windows update delete my Outlook emails?

No. Uninstalling a Windows update only rolls back specific system files to their previous state. Your Outlook emails, contacts, calendar events, and data files remain completely untouched.

How do I repair a corrupted Outlook data file?

You can repair corrupted files using the built-in Inbox Repair tool (SCANPST.EXE). You can find this tool by navigating to the installation folder of your Microsoft Office version, running the application, and selecting your .pst or .ost file to scan and repair.

What should I do if reducing the mailbox size doesn't stop the freezing?

If archiving older emails and emptying your Deleted Items folder does not improve performance, the freezing is likely caused by external factors such as antivirus conflicts, add-ins, or profile corruption. You should test Outlook in Safe Mode or create a new profile via the Control Panel.

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