How to Resolve Outlook Not Responding Error

“I do not know what is wrong with my Outlook; whenever I tried to access it an error comes “Outlook is not responding.” I have lots of pending work to complete, but I do not know how to get out of this annoying situation. Please anyone suggest me an appropriate method to rectify Microsoft Outlook not responding error message. ”

These types of Microsoft Outlook issues create a big hurdle in front of users many times. As we all know, that most of the organizations are dependent on MS Outlook to perform cross-communication and bring collaborative results for a successful business. However, there are situations when users get stuck in some problematic situation while accessing Outlook. In the following blog, we will discuss causes along with the methods to fix Outlook freezes when opening error. 

Factors Responsible Behind Outlook Not Responding Error

Unlike any other email application, MS Outlook is prone to corruption. Some of the reasons behind outlook not responding are:

• Non availability of proper network 
• Improper settings of Outlook profile or server 
• Latest updates are not installed 
• Large size of mailbox 
• Corruption in the profile of user 

To resolve this error, it is very important that we should have the knowledge of the actual reason behind the error. Let us now proceed further to rectify the error from Outlook.

How To Rectify “Outlook Gets Stuck on Starting” Error

It is a common error in, which Outlook generally get stuck on a screen, where it is shown as processing. In some other cases it just freeze or hang while, you are trying to open a file or trying to mail anyone. Rectification of this error is required as soon as possible to avoid any loss of data. These are some manual tricks to get rid of this error:

Installation of Latest Updates
It is possible that office installed in your system is not up-to-date. Therefore, if this is the case then, you just need to install latest, recommended Microsoft updates and need to delete all the files, which are not Up-to-date.

Avoid Synchronization of Outlook
This is one of the possible reasons for this error. If you are using Auto Archive feature of Outlook or you have synchronized the mobile/any device to Outlook then, the possibility of this error becomes large. In such scenarios, Outlook may stop responding. Therefore, it is suggested to avoid the synchronization of Microsoft Outlook.

Open Outlook In Safe Mode
You can run Outlook in safe mode as Add-ins and customization files would not be there when you execute Outlook in safe mode. For this,

1. Type outlook.exe/safe in command line 
2. Then, click on Yes. 
3. This may resolve the issue. If it does, then it is clear that there is some problem in one of the Add-ins.

Disable Outlook Add-ins
If, you are facing the problem of “Outlook Not Responding” error for the first time, then turn off Add-ins, which is recently installed one-by-one. In Outlook 2010 or 2013, follow these steps:

1. Firstly, switch to “File” and click on “Options” 
2. Then, select “Add-ins” and click on “Go” 
3. Finally, “uncheck” the add-ins and then, restart Outlook.
4. Reconstruction of Office Programs 

User can also try this method of repairing Office programs, if the problem persists.

• Close Microsoft Office application 
• Open Control panel after this. 
• Make a right click on Microsoft Office and select the changes you made. 
• Now, you need to select Repair option and click on Continue to execute. 
• Shorten The Size Of Mailbox

Heavy mailbox size is also responsible for the error to occur. Therefore, to reduce the size of mailbox, follow these steps, if you are using Outlook 2013 or 2010:

• Firstly, make a right click on your Personal folder. 
• You need to select Data File Properties there and then click on Advanced >> Compact Now 
• You can reduce the size using archiving option also. 

Manual Methods Failed- What Next?
The above-mentioned manual methods are not reliable, as there are scenarios when they fail to rectify this error“Outlook stopped working on startup” and may even results in loss of data if not performed appropriately. Therefore, sometimes it is necessary to switch to a third party utility.

Automated Solution
OST and PST, these two files are associated with Outlook. Therefore, it is possible that Outlook not responding error occurs due to corruption in any of these two files. With Inbox Repair Tool, users can repair minor corruption, but to fix severe corruption, they have to use a third party tool. One such tool is OST Recovery Software. Using this software the user can easily repair OST files regardless of the amount of corruption. This Extract OST to PST tool comes up with so many unique features and is capable to fix various errors of Outlook such as Outlook not responding.

Conclusion
“Outlook Not Responding” is one of the common errors for Outlook users. As the matter of fact, that it is tough to resolve the issue easily with the help of manual methods, we have discussed an expert solution as well. User can opt for this, if manual procedures fail to rectify the issue.

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How to Reduce OST File Size in Outlook

We all are aware of the fact that OST files stand for Offline Storage Table. It is the exact copy of the user’s mailbox on MS Exchange Server saved locally on your machine. The OST files are made for the main purpose like to work offline in absence if MS Exchange Server. It even comprises of entire MS Outlook information till the time of last synchronization.

Why a need arises to reduce OST file size ?

The very first reason behind the reducing OST files size is that sometimes your Outlook mailboxes grow in size and hence you receive or create new items and it makes the OST files so large. The OST file size may decrease in case you have deleted some items. It makes the system slow and thus enhances the system’s speed and also consumes the storage space. So, instead of buying a new disk, it seems to compact Offline Storage Folders.

The moment you delete the Offline Folders Mail, it goes to the deleted items folder. The simple thing is that all the items can be recovered from the deleted item folder; it implies that still some space is consumed by OST files. The very basic fact about the OST file is that the space consumed by them is unavailable for the other uses. It makes the OST files bigger and just bigger over times and even if you delete few of the items or keep the same record in MS Outlook.

Compacting OST files reduces the space allotment that was previously occupied by few items. So, through the method of compact Outlook OST file, some of the previously stored items occupied space can be reduced. Alternatively the users can even convert OST to PST for preventing it from the future corruption issues.

Now, one of the major concerns is how to reduce OST file size in MS Outlook?

For Microsoft Outlook 2007 

1. Delete the items that you don’t want to keep in OST files
2. Empty the deleted items folder
3. Click on File Tab and choose Info Tab 
4. Finally, click on the Account Settings Tab and then hit it again
5. Choose MS Exchange Server Account ID and then click on change option
6. Select More Settings option and then opt for the advance tab and click on Offline folder file settings
7. Finally, click on Compact Now alternative and then click Ok.

For MS Outlook 2010

1. Delete items that you don’t want to store  OST files
2. Empty deleted items folder
3. Click File Menu and then choose Info Tab
4. Click Account Settings Tab and then again click on Account Settings 
5. Select Exchange Server Account ID and then press Change button
6. Click More Settings Alternative
7. Select Advance tab, click on Offline Folder File Storage
8. Select Compact Now and then click Ok 

For Microsoft Outlook 2013
For compacting OST files in Outlook 2013, follow the steps listed below:

1. Delete the items that you don’t want store in OST file
2. Then, empty the deleted items folder
3. Click file and select Info folder
4. Select Account Settings tab and click on Account Settings again
5. Choose MS Exchange Server Account ID and click on Change Button
6. Click More Settings and on Advance tab, click Outlook Data File Settings 
7. Finally, select Compact Now and then click OK button

Note: Make sure that the OST files size is equal or greater than 16 KB. Users may not be able to compact OST files manually in case, the size is completely less than 16 KB. Additionally, this alternative cannot compact corrupted OST files.

Now, the question arises that what will happen if your OST file becomes corrupted because of its large size.
The question has a very simple answer that if OST files exceed the default minimum size, it can cause corruption and then data loss. The compact option doesn’t work in these circumstances because a corrupted OST files can’t be compacted. In such circumstances, making use of a professional tool is the best possible way out. The best way out in these circumstances, Microsoft OST to PST Converter Tool is the best one out. The tool has many brilliant features that differentiates it with other software’s and thus leaves its impact on the users. The tool can be downloaded from its parent website and thus the users can get to know it from every inner section. So, keep connected to the software and compact Offline Storage Folders.

The Final Verdict!
The above mentioned article helps the users with understanding the concept of reducing & compacting OST files in different Outlook versions. So, follow the entire write-up and get your query resolved.

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