Troubleshooting “Outlook Doesn’t Start Loading Profile” Issue

Troubleshooting Outlook Doesn’t Start Loading Profile Issue

Microsoft Outlook Doesn’t Start Loading profile?? Need a solution to fix this issue? Many Microsoft users are seen fighting with similar issues to open Outlook normally. In many circumstances, Microsoft Outlook users face an unusual behavior, which includes some startup error messages. Most of the times, a user start Outlook and receives an error message or Outlook does not open. In these situations, a user can easily fix this issue but need to understand some particular aspects of Outlook. Therefore, in this post, we have discussed all possible causes with troubleshooting techniques that result in “Outlook 2016, 2013, 2007, 2003 doesn’t start loading profile” error.

Methods to Fix Microsoft Outlook Doesn’t Start Loading Profile

There can be various possible reasons behind Outlook hangs, stops responding, or freezing issue. So, to resolve this, all best possible solution are discussed below:

1. Update Microsoft Outlook Application

A user needs to update Microsoft Outlook on time to time in order to fix the compatibility issues and to work perfectly on the OS of the user. Make sure that, MS Outlook version 2003 and 2007 does not work on Windows 7 and 8 because of compatibility issues. Therefore, it is important to update the latest version of Outlook and avoid all type of issues or errors related to compatibility.

2. Verify the Settings of Outlook Data Files

If the hard disk becomes corrupted or a user has to deal with some type of different viruses in that case Outlook files become damaged that results hanging problem in MS Outlook while loading. Therefore, to repair MS Outlook installation, follow the steps mentioned below:

1. To begin, navigate to Windows Control Panel >> Programs >> Add/Remove Programs option.
2. After that, find the Microsoft Office installation in the program list and then, select Repair it option.

3. Open Outlook in Safe Mode

If you have worked previously with Microsoft Outlook application with all proper settings, then it is advised to run Outlook application in the safe mode. It is because the Safe mode is the best way to understand the problem with Outlook. In the Safe mode, Microsoft Outlook will not load any unnecessary add-ins and some settings files and turn off the Reading pane also.

Now, to begin to begin Outlook in the safe mode, follow the steps mentioned below:

• For Windows XP:
      Click on Start button >> Run and type outlook.exe /safe
• For Windows Vista & Windows 7:
      Click on the Start button and type outlook.exe /safe
• For Windows 8:
      Click on the Start button and type outlook.exe /safe

Note: Leave a space between outlook.exe and /

Here, if MS Outlook works perfectly in the safe mode, then there must be some issue with add-ins or damaged settings file. However, if MS Outlook does not work fine in the safe mode then a user can follow the methods discussed further in the article.

4. Try to Reset the DAT Files

All MS Outlook 2007 or below version users must be aware of different kind of settings in the DAT files. Therefore, when a user open Outlook, these DAT files start loading the data to open MS Outlook application. However, if these files become corrupted, then rename the files with .old may resolve the issue. Microsoft Outlook 2010 and 2013 do not include these files, so a user can skip this step. Now, to fix this issue, a user needs to reset the extent.dat & outcmd.dat file and rename them to .old file. A user can perform this task when MS Outlook is not in running mode.

The Default location of these files:

• In Windows XP:
      C:\Documents and Settings\Usename\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook
• In Windows Vista, 7 & 8:
      C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook

The Default Location of Outcmd.dat file:

• In Windows XP:
      C:\Documents and Settings\%username%\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook\
• In Windows Vista, 7 & 8:
      C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Outlook

The above will resolve the Microsoft Outlook doesn’t start loading profile issue in almost most of the cases. But, if the issue still remains, then try the following solutions to troubleshoot the error when Outlook 2010 does not start loading profile.

5. Fix Cannot Open the Outlook Window Error

If you are MS Outlook 2007, 2010 or 2013 user, then you might have came across Cannot open the Outlook Window. This error message indicates that there is a corruption in the Navigation pane. Therefore, to fix this error, try to reset the Navigation pane by following the steps mentioned below:

• In Windows XP:
      Click on Start >> Run and type outlook.exe /resetnavpane
• In Windows Vista & Windows 7:
      Click on Start button and type the command – outlook.exe /resetnavpane
• In Windows 8:
      Click on Start >> Screen and type outlook.exe /resetnavpane

6. Turn Off All Add-Ins

If Outlook is working perfectly in the safe mode, then a user needs to check the add-ins to confirm the issue. To resolve this error, a user needs to start MS Outlook in the safe mode again and turn on each add-ins one by one until Microsoft Outlook fails to load the profile again. However, in most of the cases, the add-in enabled by you last time is creating the issue. Now, follow the steps below to enable or disable add-ins in Outlook:

• In Outlook 2003 & Below Versions:
      Click on Tools >> Options >> Other tab >> Advanced E-mail Options >> Add in Manager /COM Add-ins
• In Outlook 2007:
      Click on Tools >> Trust Center >> Add-ins
• In Outlook 2010 & 2013:
      Click on File >> Options >> Add-ins

Winding Up

Outlook Doesn’t Start Loading Profile is the most common error encountered by Outlook users. Considering this need of users, different troubleshooting techniques are discussed above. After using the methods, a user will definitely get rid of this error without any hassle as all methods are easy to perform.