6 Best Ways to Fix Outlook App Not Working on Mac

Microsoft Outlook is a viable alternative to Apple Mail, offering nearly all expected email features. Simply sign in with your Microsoft account to access and manage your emails. However, the app may occasionally malfunction on Mac, disrupting users’ workflow. If you’re experiencing this issue, here’s a list of solutions to fix Outlook app problems on Mac.

1. Force Quit and Restart the Outlook App

To start troubleshooting, force quit and restart the Outlook app. This will reset the app and give it a fresh start. Here’s how you can force quit the app:

1. Click the Apple icon in the top-left corner.

2. Select Force Quit from the options.

3. In the Force Quit window, choose Microsoft Outlook.

4. Click on Force Quit.

Afterward, try relaunching the Outlook app on your Mac.

2. Update the Outlook App

Moving on to the next solution, check for an update of the Outlook app. Installing a new version will fix the bugs that are stopping the app from functioning properly. Follow these steps.

Step 1: Press Command + Spacebar to reveal Spotlight Search, type App Store, and press Return.

Step 2: Open App Store window, click on Updates in left menu.

Step 3: Check for any available updates for Outlook, and install them if necessary.

Step 4: Launch Outlook to check if it is now functioning correctly.

3. Run First Aid in Disk Utility

The Disk Utility app on your Mac lets you examine internal and external storage devices connected to your Mac. You can format the storage drive and create partitions using Disk Utility. If the Outlook app isn’t working on your Mac, use the First Aid feature to check and repair any storage errors. Follow these steps:

1. Press Command + Spacebar to open Spotlight Search, type Disk Utility, and press Return.

Step 2: In the Disk Utility window, click on First Aid.

Step 3: Click Run to start First Aid.

Click Continue to confirm your choice.

Step 5: After Disk Utility repairs your disk, close the window and try launching the Outlook app.

4. Disable Preview for Encrypted Email

Outlook offers the Encryption feature to protect confidential information shared in email messages. This feature is useful when you don’t trust the recipient’s email provider. If Outlook is not working on your Mac, disable the Preview feature for Encrypted email, which might be freezing the app. Follow these steps.

Step 1: Force Quit the Outlook app.

Step 2: Open Spotlight Search, type Terminal, and press Return.

Step 3: In the Terminal app, type the command and press Return.

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defaults write com.microsoft.Outlook DisablePreviewForSMIME 1

Step 4: Enter the following command and press Return.

Kill cfprefsd.

Step 5: Close Terminal, click the Apple icon, select Restart.

Step 6: After restarting your Mac, try launching Outlook.

5. Create a New Outlook Profile

If the Outlook app is not working, your current profile may be corrupt. The Outlook Mail profile saves settings and configurations for your account. Create a new Outlook profile using Outlook Profile Manager and check if your original profile is corrupted. Follow these steps.

Step 1: Press Command + Spacebar to reveal Spotlight Search, type Finder, and press Return.

Step 2: Click on Applications from the left menu.

Step 3: Look for Microsoft Outlook and right-click to reveal options.

Step 4: Select ‘Show Package Contents’ from the options.

Step 5: Double Click on Contents.

Step 6: Double Click on Shared Support.

Step 7: In the Shared Support window, double click Outlook Profile Manager.

Step 8: Open the Outlook Profile Manager and click the Plus icon to add a new profile.

Assign a name to the profile and press Return.

Step 10: Select the profile and click on the three dots at the bottom.

Step 11: Select Set As Default.

Step 12: Force quit and relaunch Outlook.

If Outlook works properly, your profile is corrupt.

Repair Outlook to avoid workflow disruption. Follow these steps:

Step 1: In the Outlook Profile Manager window, select the new profile.

Step 2: Click the Minus icon at the bottom to delete it.

Step 3: Click on Delete to confirm your choice.

Step 4: Close Outlook Profile Manager and open Finder. Step 5: Select Go from the top Menu Bar.

Step 6: Click on Go To Folder from the options.

Step 7: Type the path in the search box and click the first result:

~/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/Outlook/Outlook 15 Profiles/Main Profile/Data

Step 8: Select and drag the Outlook.sqlite file from the Data window to the Desktop.

Step 9: Open the Outlook app and click Repair when you see the notification.

Once your Outlook Profile is repaired, it should work properly on your Mac.

6. Uninstall and Reinstall the Outlook App

If you’re having trouble using the Outlook app on your Mac, you can try uninstalling and reinstalling the app. Just follow these steps:

1. Open Launchpad on your Mac.

Step 2: Find the Outlook app icon and long-press until it starts wobbling.

Step 3: Click the X icon to delete the app.

Step 4: Click on Delete again to confirm your choice.

Step 5: After deleting the app, reopen the App Store and download Outlook again.

Use Outlook App on Your Mac

The Outlook app for Mac can have hiccups and glitches. Try the solutions above to fix any issues with Outlook not working on your Mac. To enhance your email productivity, see our list of top Outlook keyboard shortcuts.