How to Fix Outlook Closes Immediately After Opening?

Antonio Gosling ~ June 9, 2025 ~ 6 Minutes Reading

Microsoft Outlook is one of the most used desktop email clients due to advanced security features, but sometimes users get frustrated when Outlook closes automatically after opening. This crash does not show any error message, affects your workflow, and poses a major risk of data loss. This issue can happen due to damaged Outlook data files, faulty add-ins, outdated software versions, or connectivity problems.

In this guide, we have compiled all tried and tested methods to fix the issue of Outlook closing automatically. So, you do not need to look for any other post. After reading this guide, you can easily fix this issue and prevent it from happening in the future.

Why Does Outlook Close Immediately After Opening?

  • Damaged Outlook data files(OST/PST) can crash Outlook when opening.
  • Third-party add-ins may conflict with the Outlook process. Try running Outlook in safe mode to isolate and disable them.
  • A corrupted user profile can prevent Outlook from loading properly. Creating a new Outlook profile can fix the issue where Outlook keeps closing itself when minimized.
  • Low storage and an incompatible processor can cause Outlook to crash abruptly. Close other programs and check background processes.
  • Malicious software can prevent Outlook from opening. Run a full system scan with updated antivirus tools.
  • Outlook graphics acceleration can conflict with certain drivers. Disabling these settings may stop the crashing behavior.
  • Incorrect registry key or leftover Microsoft Supportdiagnostic tools can cause Outlook to crash at startup. Registry cleanup may be needed.

How to Fix Outlook Shutdown Immediately After Opening?

If Outlook closes immediately after opening, then perform the proven solutions discussed below:

Method 1. Check for Outlook and Windows Updates

  1. First, open Outlook and navigate to the file.
  2. Click on the Office account and press on update options.Click on Office Account
  3. Click on Update Now(Updates are available for Microsoft Office).Update Now
  4. Now, press Win+S and search for updates.
  5. Click on Check for updates and press on Check for updates.
  6. If found then install it.

Method 2. Start Outlook in Safe Mode

  1. Press Win+R and type Outlook.exe /safe and click on OK button to open Outlook in safe mode..Outlook.exe /safe
  2. Now, uncheck faulty add-ins and press Ok button to disable suspicious add-ins. Uncheck add-ins

Method 3. Disable Add-ins

  1. Open Outlook and go to file.Launch Outlook
  2. Click on options and hit on Add-ins.
  3. Go to Manage option as appears in last and select COM Add-ons.
  4. Hit on the Go button and uncheck all add-ins and relaunch Outlook normally.

Method 4. Repair Outlook Data Files

  1. Locate C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\SCANPST.EXE and click on it to launch Microsoft Outlook Inbox Repair Tool.ScanPST Repair Tool
  2. Browse Outlook data files(OST/PST Files) and check on Make backup of scanned file before repairing then click on the Repair button.Browse Outlook data files

Method 5. Create New Outlook Profile

  1. Go to the Control Panel and click on Mail(Microsoft Outlook).Open Control Panel
  2. Click on Show Profiles and press on Add.
    Click on Show Profiles
  3. Name the new profile and set it as default.Set it as default
  4. Re-add your email account in Outlook.

Method 6. Repair or Reinstall Office

  1. Go to the Control Panel and click on Program and features.Open Control Panel
  2. Press on Microsoft Office and hit on change.
  3. Choose Quick Repair or Online Repair.
  4. Relaunch PC and test Outlook.

Method 7. Disable Hardware Graphics Acceleration

  1. Open Outlook and click on files.Launch Outlook
  2. Hit on options and press Advanced option.
  3. Check disable hardware graphics acceleration.
  4. Click OK and restart Outlook.
Method 8. Turn Off Support Diagnostics Logging
  1. Press Windows+R and type regedit and press Enter.Type Regedit
  2. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook\PST.Select PST
  3. You must specify whether it is a 32-bit or 64-bit DWORD.DWORD
  4. Close Registry Editor and relaunch Outlook.Open Outlook
Method 9. Run Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant
  1. Download SARA from Microsoft: https://aka.ms/SaRA-Outlook.
  2. Open Tool and select Outlook keeps closing and follow prompt.
  3. Apply and fix suggested changes by the tool.
Alternative Method to Fix Outlook Closes Immediately After Opening

As it mostly happens when an OST file running in background becomes corrupted causing Outlook crash automatically when trying to load a file on startup. So, we recommend you to opt Jagware OST to PST Converter as this software can recover data from damaged files and offers a healthy PST file to easily access on any Outlook version.

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Advanced Troubleshooting
  • Use Office click to run commands to switch versions if a crash started after a recent update.
  • Open the Registry Editor to delete leftover Support Diagnostics entries that may create instability.
  • Run a full antivirus scan to fix Windows bad components that may affect Outlook.
  • Open Event Viewer and review Outlook crash logs to detect profile or add-ins issues.
How to Fix Outlook Closing Automatically on Mac?
  • Check both Outlook and MacOS are updated to avoid known bugs and compatibility issues.
  • Go to Tools and click on Add-ons and disable all to avoid bad add-ons.
  • Use Outlook Profile Manager to create a fresh profile and resolve Outlook automatically closes when opened.
  • Check your Mac system meets Outlook requirements such as storage and CPU available.
Help Questions

Why is my Outlook closing when I open it?

Outlook may close on opening due to corrupted data files, faulty add-ins, damaged profiles, or outdated software. Running Outlook.exe /safe or repairing Outlook data files or updating apps often resolves these crashes.

When I Open an Email in Outlook, it Disappears?

This can happen due to an Outlook rule. Check your rules, reset your views, and verify that Outlook is properly synced with the email server.

Why does Outlook keep kicking me out?

Immediate Outlook closing due to authentication issues, corrupted profiles, and connectivity issues. Verify credentials, reset your profile, and check your connectivity to prevent immediate Outlook closing.

Ending Remarks

Let’s sum up this article as we have shared all essential information to fix Outlook automatically closes after opening by manual and alternative method. First, try manual techniques to fix this error. If it’s not solved then use an alternative method to recover corrupted files and continue to use Outlook without any closing.