Fix Outlook Stuck on Loading Profile (2025 Guide)

Is your Outlook taking forever to open, stuck at the “Loading Profile” screen? Don’t worry — you’re not alone. Thousands of Office 365 and Outlook users face this problem daily, and it can happen due to corrupt profiles, add-ins, or outdated credentials. In this guide, we’ll walk you through 7 proven fixes to solve the “Outlook stuck on loading profile” issue quickly.

Key Takeaways

• Outlook gets stuck on the loading screen mainly due to corrupted profiles or add-in conflicts.
• Disabling COM Add-ins or starting Outlook in Safe Mode can instantly solve the problem.
• Repairing Office 365 and clearing old credentials helps prevent future loading issues.
• All fixes work for Outlook 2016, 2019, 2021, and Microsoft 365 versions on Windows 10 and 11.

1. Start Outlook in Safe Mode

The first and easiest fix is to start Outlook in Safe Mode. This disables any faulty add-ins that might be causing the issue.

Press Windows + R → type outlook /safe → press Enter.

If Outlook opens normally in Safe Mode, go to File → Options → Add-ins and disable all third-party add-ins. Restart Outlook normally and check if it loads properly.

2. End All Outlook Processes in Task Manager

Sometimes Outlook doesn’t close completely, leaving background processes running that block new sessions. Here’s how to fix it:

• Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
• Find and select all OUTLOOK.EXE processes.
• Click “End Task”.

Then reopen Outlook. If it launches correctly, the issue was likely a stuck background process.

3. Disable Compatibility Mode

Compatibility Mode can sometimes cause modern Outlook versions to misbehave. Here’s how to disable it:

• Right-click on the Outlook shortcut and select Properties.
• Under the Compatibility tab, uncheck “Run this program in compatibility mode”.
• Click Apply and restart Outlook.

4. Repair Your Outlook Data Files (.OST & .PST)

Corrupted data files are one of the biggest reasons Outlook gets stuck on “Loading Profile”. Use Microsoft’s built-in repair tool:

• Navigate to C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\
• Open SCANPST.EXE
• Select your Outlook data file and click Repair

Once the repair completes, relaunch Outlook to check if the issue is resolved.

5. Create a New Outlook Profile

If your old profile is corrupted, creating a new one often fixes the problem permanently.

• Open Control Panel → Mail → Show Profiles
• Click Add and create a new profile
• Set the new profile as default and start Outlook

6. Clear Cached Credentials

Cached credentials may become outdated, especially if your password was changed recently. Here’s how to clear them:

• Press Windows + R → type control keymgr.dll
• Locate saved credentials related to Microsoft Office or Outlook
• Delete them, then restart your computer

7. Repair Office 365 Installation

If none of the above works, repairing your Office suite can solve internal configuration issues:

• Go to Control Panel → Programs → Programs and Features
• Select Microsoft Office → Click Change
• Choose Quick Repair or Online Repair

This process reinstalls core Outlook components and removes any damaged files causing the loading screen freeze.

Bonus Tip: Check Windows Updates

Outdated system components can interfere with Outlook’s functionality. Always make sure your Windows is up to date. Go to Settings → Windows Update and install pending updates.

Conclusion

Outlook stuck on loading profile? Not anymore. Whether it’s add-ins, cache, or data files, the fixes above will get your email running smoothly again. For more help with Outlook setup, sync, and account recovery, explore our other troubleshooting guides below.

Recommended Reads

• Top 5 Fixes for Office 365 Not Syncing
• Why Is My Outlook Email Not Updating Automatically?
• Email Setup and Configuration Guide