Cannot Start Microsoft Outlook the Command Line Argument is not Valid – Fixed

Many Outlook users have been reporting sudden issues while accessing their Outlook application. At the times when users opens their Outlook account, an error message stated that “Cannot start Microsoft Outlook. The command line argument is not valid. Verify the switch” you are using. appear on their screen.

Generally, the issue occurs when user uses a Windows Client to open the .msg document object. However, in order to ensure a timely resolution of this matter, we will begin to take the necessary steps to troubleshoot this error.

How to Fix Cannot start Microsoft Outlook the Command Line Argument is Not Valid Verify?

Well, below are some manual workarounds that help in resolving this type of error. You just required to follow the steps carefully.

Trick 1: Run Outlook in Safe mode & Disable Add-ins

The first and foremost method to detect the problem in Outlook is done by running Outlook in safe mode. Also, it helps to detect the profile issue due to the corrupt add-ins installed.

1. Press Win+R in Command prompt.
2. Type: Outlook.exe/safe.
3. Choose the required profile.
4. Press OK button to open Outlook in safe mode.
5. Now, you can disable add-ins from the settings option to repair the Outlook profile command line issue.

Trick 2: Re-register Outlook files

A DLL is a module that contains certain functions that can be used by more than one program at the same time. Some dll files need to be re-registered to operate properly.

1. Press Windows + R.
2. Execute these commands in the Run window:
   regsvr32 OLE32.DLL
   regsvr32 INETCOMM.DLL

Now, Relaunch the Outlook application to check cannot start microsoft office outlook. The command line argument is not valid issue is fixed or not.

Trick 3: Reinstall Outlook Application

If the issue is not resolved by re-registering Outlook files, then it is suggested to reinstall your Outlook application.

1. Click on Start.
2. Type Control Panel in the search bar.
3. Click on Control Panel in search results.
4. Now click on Programs and Features.
5. Select Microsoft Office from the list of applications. Right-click it and select Uninstall
6. Reinstall the Microsoft Office suite again.
7. Restart the Outlook and check if the problem is gone.

Trick 4: Use Inbox Repair Tool

In case, none of the methods worked to fix error “cannot start Microsoft Outlook the command line argument is not valid verify the switch”, it means that your Outlook data file (.pst) is corrupted. To repair those damaged PST file, Microsoft provides an inbuilt utility named as Scanpst.exe.

With this utility, you can fix minor or header level corruption of Outlook PST file, if you are facing this error due to PST corruption then scanpst.exe will help you. Remember this tool not capable to repair highly corrupted files, if the file is not repaired by this tool, then you have to move on next method that is an automated tool PST repair.

Is an expert solution used for recovering a highly damaged file with its metadata properties. The utility repairs highly corrupted files & recover deleted data in PST, EML, MSG, PDF, HTML file formats.

Winding Things Up

The blog resolves one of the most recurrent issues i.e “Cannot start Microsoft Outlook the command line argument is not valid”. To resolve the error, some manual techniques are discussed with complete guidelines. However, if the users still can’t start their Outlook account due to PST corruption then users can opt for the professional tool.