How to Fix “Outlook 365 Stuck on Processing” Error?

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  • Updated on January 9th, 2024

“Hello! I use Microsoft Outlook 2013. For the last few days, I have been facing trouble in opening Outlook. The problem is that whenever I run Outlook, Outlook gets stuck on processing. I left Outlook processing off for several hours but I don’t see any improvement. Also, I tried several times to fix it by restarting the system but it didn’t work. Suggest a way to troubleshoot and fix Outlook 365 Stuck on Processing error.”

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Have you also faced any such issues while you start Outlook? This is a general error that many users often encounter. But I can’t get a perfect solution to fix this. Therefore, this comprehensive blog will help you find out the underlying causes of Outlook 365 Stuck on Processing and solutions to resolve it. Furthermore, you can also explore an outstanding professional OST to PST Converter Tool to rebuild Outlook Data File. Moving further to help you start Outlook without any error.

Before we move to know how to fix Outlook on Processing error, it’s important to understand the cause.

Why is Outlook Office 365 Stuck on Processing?

Listed below are reasons that cause Stuck Outlook Processing errors:

  • Impact of any third-party applications, such as antivirus software or others.
  • If you are still using Outdated Microsoft Office or Windows.
  • Having some inconsistent or corrupted Outlook data files.
  • Incompatible add-ins in Outlook can impact its functionality.
  • Poor internet connection on your PC.
  • Carrying out a huge work process can also be problematic.
  • Other reasons can be corrupt MS Office programs, Synchronization issues, or large mailbox size.

If you encounter any of the above issues, it will lead to PST file corruption. Thus, your Outlook processing gets stuck. Since you can easily identify the cause of the error, you can solve it accordingly. Here are some tried and tested solutions to resolve Outlook 365 Stuck on Processing.

Solutions to Fix Outlook Stuck on Processing

Analyze the problem on your PC and choose the most appropriate solution as per the cause of this error. But before that, it is advised to do as follows:

  • Check Internet Connectivity: An unstable internet connection can lead Outlook to stuck on processing. Ensure proper internet connection.
  • Restart your PC: For once, restart your system. Sometimes, a minor software glitch could be the reason. So, restating the PC would help fix it.

Further, if the cause of this Outlook error is big, here are other solutions. Let us begin!

Method 1: Run the Outlook Application in Safe Mode

Firstly, to fix Outlook 365 Stuck on Processing you should try to run Outlook in the Safe mode. Follow the steps below:

  1. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc (at once). This will open the Task Manager window. 
  2. Click on Outlook from the list and click on End Task at the bottom right.
click on End Task at the bottom right
  1. Now, open the Run Window (Press the Window+R key).
  2. Enter ‘Outlook.exe /safe’ and click on OK.
  3. The Choose Profile window opens. Select the default Outlook option.

Your Outlook will run in Safe Mode. Further, close Outlook in Safe Mode and restart it in Standard Mode. If you are still facing the issue, proceed to the next method.

Method 2: Disable Defective Add-ins

Another reason for Outlook Stuck on processing Windows 10 or any other versions of Windows can be faulty files in Add-ins. Therefore, you need to disable the Add-ins one by one in your list. Go with the steps provided:

  1. Close Outlook completely.
  2. Run Outlook in Safe Mode.
  3. Then, open File and click on Options.
  4. Click on the Add-ins tab.
  5. Next, Select COM add-ins from the Manage drop-down. Click Go.
Click Go

6. You will see a list of available Add-ins. Uncheck all and click OK.

Furthermore, check if the Outlook 365 Stuck on Processing error is fixed. If yes, then turn on all the add-ins one by one and find out the faulty add-ins. Permanently remove the faulty add-in to be safe from any future errors.

Method 3: Install Updated MS Office and the Latest Version of Windows

Using Outdated versions of MS Office and Windows can lead to such Outlook errors. So, you need to install the updated versions. 

Update MS Outlook

  1. Run MS Outlook in Safe Mode.
  2. Go to File and click on Office Account.
  3. Then, tap on Update Options
  4. From the drop-down menu, click on Update Now.
From the drop-down menu, click on Update Now.
  1. Outlook will check for any new updates.
  2. If not updated you get prompts to install the update. Follow the displayed prompts to install any available updates.
  3. Or, if you are already updated, click on Close.

Update Windows

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on the Update & Security tab.
Click on the Update & Security tab.
  1. Then, click on Check for Updates
  2. If any latest update is available, go for it.

Further, restart the system and run Outlook to check if ‘Outlook Office 365 stuck on processing’ is fixed. Otherwise, move to another solution.

Method 4: Create a New Outlook User Profile

When the reason for ‘Outlook Stuck on Processing’ is a corrupt Outlook Profile, creating a new Outlook profile is mandatory. Follow the steps below:

  1. Close the Outlook application.
  2. Open the Control Panel on your system. (Press Windows+S and type Control Panel).
  3. Select User Accounts and tap on Mail(Microsoft Outlook) (32-bit).
  4. The Mail Setup window opens. Click on Show Profiles.
The Mail Setup window opens. Click on Show Profiles.

5. Click on Add.

Click on Add.

6. In the box provided, type a new Profile Name. Click Ok.

  1. Now, configure your same email account under the new profile. (Follow the prompts on screen)
  2. After the new profile creation is done, return to the Mail Setup window.
  3. Again, click on Show Profile. Select the new profile and select ‘Prompt for the profile to be used.
click on Show Profile
  1. Next, remove the old Outlook profile if you wish to.
  2. Further, continue running Outlook with the new profile and follow the prompts to set up a new profile completely.

Was this solution helpful to resolve Outlook 365 Stuck on Processing? If not, try another solution.

Method 5: Repair Your MS Office Program

Follow the instructions as mentioned below:

  1. Close all Office programs and ensure they do not run in the task tray.
  2. Open the Control Panel and click on Program and Features.
  3. From the list, find and click on the MS Office application.
  4. Then, click on Change at the top (or right-click and select Change).
  5. Opt for Quick Repair or Online Repair. 
  6. Click on Repair and then Continue.
  7. Wait until the repair process is complete.

Now, cross-check if Outlook Office 365 Stuck on Processing is resolved. 

Method 6: Repair OST/PST or Rebuild OST File

There are two Outlook Data Files: OST and PST. OST stands for Offline Storage Table file which synchronizes automatically on the server. When you are using Outlook 365 accounts, Exchange accounts, IMAP accounts, and Outlook.com accounts all mail items are stored offline in OST. Due to oversized OST files, Outlook suffers synchronization issues. Ultimately, causing errors while running Outlook. Therefore, here are the solutions to fix ‘Outlook 365 Stuck on Processing’ by repairing the Outlook Data File(OST/PST).

Repair PST File

1.Turn Off MS Outlook.
2.Open the SCANPST.EXE. You can find it:
Outlook 2016- C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16
Outlook 2013- C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office15
Outlook 2010- C: \Program 文件 (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14
Outlook 2007- C:\Program 文件 (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office12
3.Click Browse to find the PST file.
4.Press Start to begin scanning. If it shows any error choose Repair to fix it.
5.Run Outlook with the Profile associated with the repaired Outlook Data File.

However, this process for repairing PST files is reliable for minor corruption. In case, the PST file is severely corrupt or damaged, use a more authentic and safe PST Repair Tool

Note: If the Outlook Data File is a .ost file, simply delete it. Outlook will automatically recreate the OST file when you next open the application.

Rebuild OST File

Obey the steps as follows to rebuild the OST file and thus resolve Outlook Office 365 stuck on processing:

  1. Close Outlook properly.
  2. Press Window+R and type ‘%localappdata%/Microsoft/Outlook’ in Run Window. Click Ok.
  3. You will reach the location where Outlook stores OST files.
  4. Choose the OST file linked to your email. Create a Backup of the OST to an alternative folder or drive. 
  5. Once the backup is complete, return to the default location of the OST file. Press Delete. Confirm the deletion.
  6. Restart Outlook. A new OST file will be generated. All mail items will be synchronized in the newly created local cache file.

Thus, using any of the above-mentioned processes, you can try to resolve Outlook 365 Stuck on Processing. 

Still, your Outlook is Stuck on Processing? – – chat-iconFeel free to talk to our technical experts.

Possibly, in this process, there is a high chance of losing emails or mail folders.This happens due to sync issues, after creating a new profile or OST file. So, how to get that email back? As mentioned earlier, it is mandatory to create a backup of the OST file. Thus, you can Convert OST to PST File and retrieve all missing emails and folders. 

Best Professional Tool to Convert OST to PST

If you are wondering about an easy and quick way to convert OST files to PST, here is the solution. Use the DRS OST to PST Converter Tool, which is a proficient and safe tool for converting OST files. It is an advanced utility that transfers all data from OST files without altering its original content. Moreover, embedded with many exclusive features to facilitate easy and swift conversion. Here are some of the prominent features of the tool:

  • Provides a Date Filter to convert specific emails according to set dates.
  • Offers feature to remove duplicate items before conversion.
  • Enables users to convert multiple OST files to PST without any hassle.
  • Allows you to backup emails from OST files, excluding attachments.
  • You can transfer OST file data to other file formats and email clients.
  • Has an easy-to-use interface and works with all versions of Windows.

Conclusion

Hence, this was a comprehensive guide to help you resolve Outlook 365 stuck on processing. We have mentioned all the aspects of this Outlook error including causes, respective solutions, and a professional tool to extract missing data. Hopefully, you will get help from this write-up and you can resolve this error. 

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