Fix the “Outlook won’t open in safe mode” Error

Summary:  Microsoft Outlook is one of the most widely used email clients. It comes with a range of productivity features like calendars, task managers, and contacts. However, like all software, it can encounter errors. One common issue users face is Outlook refusing to open even in Safe Mode. Safe Mode in Outlook disables add-ins and custom settings, which allows you to prevent these issues caused by third-party applications or corrupted settings. If Outlook doesn’t open in Safe Mode, the issue can be more complex, but it can still be resolved with the right methods. In this blog, we will discuss the reasons why this error occurs and several methods including PST Recovery Tool to fix the error of “Outlook won’t open in safe mode”.

Common Causes of Outlook Not Opening in Safe Mode

Before jumping into the fixes, it’s important to understand the common causes of this error. Below are some of the primary reasons why Outlook might fail to launch in Safe Mode:

• Corrupt Add-ins: Even though Safe Mode disables most add-ins, some may still cause issues if they are not installed correctly or become corrupted.
• Corrupted Outlook Profile: Sometimes, the user profile itself can become corrupted, preventing Outlook from functioning properly in any mode.
• Damaged PST/OST File: If your PST (Personal Storage Table) or OST (Offline Storage Table) file is damaged, Outlook might have trouble starting, even in Safe Mode.
• Incorrect Outlook Installation: Improper installation or missing files can also prevent Outlook from opening correctly.
• Third-party Conflicts: Other software on your system, such as antivirus or firewall programs, can interfere with Outlook’s Safe Mode functionality.
• System Issues: Operating system problems, such as file system corruption or missing system files, can also affect Outlook’s performance, including its ability to start in Safe Mode.
• Insufficient User Permissions: If the user account does not have the necessary permissions to run Outlook, it may not launch in any mode.

Knowing these causes can help you figure out what’s wrong and fix the problem better. If you have issues with Outlook, looking into these possible reasons is a good first step.

How to Fix the “Outlook won’t open in safe mode” Error?

Now that we know the common causes, let’s dive into the solutions. Below are some methods you can use to troubleshoot and fix the issue.

#Method 01: Make a New Outlook Profile

A corrupted Outlook profile can prevent the application from opening. In this case, creating a new profile can resolve the issue of “Microsoft Outlook Won’t Open or Start”. 

• First of all, open the Control Panel on your computer screen.
• Now, navigate to Control Panel >> Mail >> Show Profiles.
• Next, click Add and follow the prompts to set up a new profile.
• Here, input the appropriate name to the new profile >> Next.
• After that, go to the Auto Account Setup and mark the E-mail Account.
• In the E-mail Account panel, enter the given details for the new account.
• After these all set up, click on the Finish button to create a new Outlook Profile.
• When you create the new account in MS Outlook, restart the application once.
• Once the new profile is created, select it and choose “Always use this profile” to set it as the default.
• Open Outlook using the newly created Outlook profile to see if the issue is resolved.

#Method 02: Repair or Reinstall Microsoft Office

To avoid the issue of “Outlook won’t open in safe mode”, you can repair or reinstall Microsoft Office. It can often help resolve the issue. Here are the steps to repair Microsoft Office on your system. 

• First of all, you should close all the applications of MS Outlook.
• After that, navigate to Control Panel >> Programs and Features.
• In the list of installed programs, locate Microsoft Office (e.g., Microsoft 365, Office 2019).
• Now, right-click on Microsoft Office and select Change.
• Choose Quick Repair for a fast fix. If that doesn’t work, try Online Repair (this option requires an internet connection and takes longer).
• Here, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the repair.
• After the repair process is complete, restart your computer and check that Outlook opens correctly.

Repairing or reinstalling Microsoft Office can often fix the “Outlook won’t open in Safe Mode” error. If these steps don’t resolve the issue, it may be time to explore other methods to open Outlook in Safe Mode.

Know More: How to Repair Corrupted Outlook PST File?

#Method 03: Remove or Restore the Navigation Pane Configuration File

The Navigation Pane settings control how folders, shortcuts, and other elements are displayed in Outlook. If this configuration becomes corrupt, it can prevent Outlook from opening correctly. Here’s how you can reset or delete the Navigation Pane configuration file to fix the “ Outlook Not Opening In Safe Mode” issue.

Steps to Restore or Delete the Navigation Pane Configuration File

01: Reset the Navigation Pane

You can reset the Navigation Pane to its default settings. This is a quick fix that often resolves the issue.

• Primarily, close the Outlook application and tap on the start button.
• Press Windows + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
• In the Run box, type the following command and hit Enter
• outlook.exe /resetnavpane
• After that, click on the OK button. 
• After running this command, Outlook will reset the Navigation Pane to its default state.

Try opening Outlook again, either in normal mode or Safe Mode, to see if the problem is fixed or not.

02: Delete the Navigation Pane Configuration File

If resetting the Navigation Pane doesn’t work, you can manually delete the configuration file. Outlook will automatically recreate this file the next time it starts.

• As the above steps, go to start and then run the application first.
• In the next window, enter %appdata%\Microsoft\Outlook>> OK.
• Now, navigate to the folder where the Outlook profile settings are stored.
• Find the .xml file that matches your Outlook profile name and delete it.

Once the file is deleted, restart Outlook. A new, default Navigation Pane configuration file will be created automatically.

#Method 04: Update both Outlook and Windows to the latest Versions

You can Update both Outlook and Windows to the latest versions to fix the “Outlook won’t open in Safe Mode” error. Follow the given steps to make the Outlook error-free. 

01. Update Outlook to the Latest Version

Just Keep your Outlook updated ensures that you have the latest fixes and improvements from Microsoft. Follow these steps to update Outlook:

• If Outlook is open, click on File at the top left of the screen.
• Go to Office Account (or Account if you’re using older versions).
• After that, click on the Update Options >> Update Now.
• If updates are available, Outlook will download and install them. 
• After it finishes, restart Outlook.

02. Update Windows to the Latest Version

Keeping Windows updated can also help resolve compatibility issues or bugs that might be preventing Outlook from opening in Safe Mode.

• First of all, press Windows + I to open Settings.
• Click on Update & Security, then select Windows Update from the left menu.
• Click on Check for Updates. If updates are available, Windows will download and install them.

After the updates are installed, restart your computer and try opening Outlook again in Safe Mode.

#Method 05: Start Outlook in “Safe Mode” to Fix the Issue

To fix the “Outlook won’t open in Safe Mode” error, you first need to launch Outlook in Safe Mode. Here’s how you can do it:

• Press Windows + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
• After that, type outlook.exe /safe and press Enter.
• Now, select the Outlook profile you want to load in Safe Mode

Once Outlook opens in Safe Mode, you can disable any problematic add-ins:

• Go to File >> Options >> Add-ins.
• Under Manage, select COM Add-ins and click Go.
• Uncheck the boxes for any add-ins you suspect might be causing the problem, and click OK.

#Method 06: Repair the Outlook Data File

Sometimes, the issue occurs due to a corrupted Outlook data file. You should repair your Outlook Data File once to resolve the “ Microsoft Outlook Won’t Open or Start” error. To repair the Outlook Data File and potentially fix the issue, you can use the Inbox Repair Tool (ScanPST.exe).  The steps to repair the Outlook Data File are as follows: 

• First, you should close your Outlook application.
• Then, find the location of the Scanpst.exe file.
• The location of ScanPST.exe depends on the version of Outlook you’re using.
• For Outlook 2016/2019/365, it’s usually located here: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\
• Open ScanPST.exe.
• Click “Browse” to select the PST file that you want to repair.
• Click “Start” to begin the scanning process.
• After the scan is complete, if errors are found, the tool will give you the option to repair the file. Click Repair.
• Now, open the Outlook application on your system and press Ctrl+6.
• Next, you can see the proper list of the Folders in your recovered Outlook data. 
• After that, you must create a PST file (new)
• Here, tap on the Lost and Found Folders and pick all the repaired items.
• Then, drop them into the newly created PST file.
• Once the repair is complete, restart Outlook and check if it opens normally.

Why Users Do Not Perform The Task Using The Manual Method?

Users often avoid the manual method to fix the “Outlook won’t open in Safe Mode” error for several reasons:

• These methods involve multiple steps, which can be confusing for non-technical users.
• Many users may not fully understand the technical aspects involved in the manual fixes.
• Fixing the errors manually can take considerable time and lead to data loss.

These factors drive many users to pick an alternative method like repair tools rather than relying on manual troubleshooting.

#Method 07: Simple and Direct Solution to Repair Corrupt PST File

If the above method doesn’t work properly, you can proceed with the all-in-one proficient solution DRS PST Recovery Tool to repair the Outlook data file to open Outlook in Safe Mode. This software comes with different recovery modes. It can repair corrupt PST files and restore all mailbox items, including emails, attachments, contacts, calendars, and more. Also, you can recover deleted emails and other mailbox items from PST files. After repairing, it allows saving the recovered PST file in various formats like PST, MBOX, EML, MSG, etc. Before saving the repaired data, it provides a preview of the mailbox items to confirm the correct recovery.  It can handle large PST files. Moreover, it is compatible with all versions of Microsoft Outlook and Windows OS. Here are the steps to repair your corrupted PST file:

 A Few Clicks to Repair PST File

• Primarily, launch and run the DRS PST Recovery Tool on your screen.
• Then, tap on the Open to add the damaged PST file >> Next.
• Next, browse the desired PST file and mark other options accordingly.
• In the next panel, you can preview the selected PST content >> Next.
• You can choose the options and features according to your requirements.
• After these steps, just tap on the Save button to save the recovered files.
• Lastly, tap on the OK button to save the PST file in your desired location.

Conclusion 

Hopefully, this blog will help[ you to fix the “Outlook won’t open in safe mode” error. After following the given methods in this blog, like creating new profiles or reinstalling the application—you can usually resolve the issue effectively. For manual recovery, you need a great level of technical expertise. To avoid the cons pointers of the manual methods, users frequently navigate to the automated solution as we mentioned earlier. It will help you to fix the problems in Outlook. Also, it ensures that you regain control over your email client and avoid further disruptions to your workflow. If you get any issues, while running the software, you can frequently connect to our tech support team. They will help you further.