Outlook Troubleshooting

Just a quick list of Outlook fixes for weird issues that don’t have an immediate solution apparent. I found this list after doing a search for why the Outlook Inbox wasn’t refreshing. Turns out it was the Windows Search Add-in.

 

1. Reset the Outlook toolbar template. With Outlook close, do a search for and rename outcmd.dat file. Restart Outlook. Do the same for outlprnt file.

 

In Windows XP Outcmd.dat is located in C:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook folder. In Windows Vista, file is located in C:\<user>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Outlook folder. It is a hidden file, so you have to unhide hidden files. Go to any folder and select Tools > Folders Options > View. Check "Show hidden files and folders". Click OK.

 

2. Register important Outlook files. If using Windows XP, go to Start > Run and type regsvr32 OLE32.DLL and hit OK.

 

If using Vista and you get an error, run regsvr32.exe from an elevated command prompt. To get an elevated command prompt, right-click on the "Command Prompt" shortcut and select "Run as Administrator".

 

3. An addin could be corrupt. Start > Run - and type outlook /safe to open in Safe Mode. If it opens in safe mode, disable Outlook Addins until you find the culprit.  Go to Tools > Trust Center > Add-Ins disable the addins. You’ll click on the button at the bottom to do this.

 

4. Check if an external program running in the background is interfering with Outlook. Check Firewall, antivirus and other security programs, Yahoo and Google toolbars, and desktop search programs. Disable these programs one at a time. (Windows Search is disabled in step 3)

 

5. On the Help menu, click Office Diagnostics. > Continue > Start Diagnostics

 

6. Go for coffee.

 

7. Create a new Outlook profile.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/829918

 

8. Spend some time on Google, confer with colleagues over coffee.

 

9. Last resort, reinstall or repair Outlook.  Go to Add/Remove Programs and highlight Microsoft Office. Click on Install/Uninstall.  A menu will pop allowing you to choose repair or reinstall.