Outlook Stuck at Loading Profile – Fix in 5 Easy Ways

If Outlook is stuck at loading profile and not opening you don’t need to panic at all. This issue is very common in Outlook 365, 2021, 2019 and Windows 11 systems in 2026. In my recent testing on multiple client systems this error mostly appeared due to:-

• Corrupt PST file
• Faulty add-ins
• Broken Outlook profile
• Oversized mailbox

But the good news is that this problem is completely fixable and that too without data any loss if it is handled correctly. So in this guide you will learn correct working manual fixes, What to try first, When PST corruption is the real cause and my tested solution to fix the problem permanently.

How to Identify Why Outlook is Stuck at Loading Profile?

Before we move to apply any fixes you should first identify the actual cause first.

Why did Outlook Stuck at Loading Profile?

1. If Outlook.exe and other processes are still running in the background.
2. Programs such as add-ins, VPN software, Lync (or Skype for Business), etc. interfering with Outlook.
3. Wrong Outlook installation.
4. Outlook data file (.pst) is corrupt.
5. Outlook 365 sync conflicts with server
6. Large OST/PST file (20GB+ mailbox size)
7. Windows 11 or recent Office updates causing profile conflict
8. Antivirus or firewall blocking Outlook startup
9. Slow internet or network profile loading delay
10. Damaged navigation pane settings

You Can Also Read:- How You Can Fix Outlook Data File Cannot be Accessed Error Using 5 Easy Methods.

How Troubleshoot ‘Outlook Stuck on Loading Profile’ Error Manually?

These are the manual steps that you need to follow sequentially to resolve the Outlook loading profile error 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007, 2003.

Method 1: End Processes in Task Manager & Disable the Presence Features

I. Ending Processes in Task Manager

First of all, you should close all the processes that are running in the background from the Task Manager. And then, disable the ‘Outlook Presence feature’ to fix the error. Here’s how you can do it:

NOTE: Outlook.exe, SearchProtocolHost.exe, Lync, and Skype for Business, Copernic, WinPcap, etc. are some processes you should kill in the Task Manager.

1. Open Task Manager.
2. Under the Processes tab, locate all Microsoft Office processes.
3. Select an Office process & then choose End task.
4. Repeat this for each Office process listed.

II. Disable Outlook Presence Feature

Follow these steps to disable the Outlook presence feature:

1. Open Outlook application, choose File > Options > People.
2. In Outlook Options window, uncheck the checkboxes with following options if they are enabled: “Display online status next to name” and “Show user photographs when available”.
3. Click OK, and then restart Outlook.

NOTE: By disabling the Outlook presence functionality will help mitigate the issue. However, if you click on your account picture in the upper right corner of an Office app or go to File >Account option, a session will be opened up and it will trigger the problem again.

Method 2: Run Outlook in Safe Mode & Disable Add-ins

Sometimes Microsoft Outlook may stuck at loading screen due to faulty add-ins. To fix the issue, start Outlook in safe mode and disable add-ins, follow these steps:

1. Type “Windows” and “R” keys together.
2. Type “Outlook /safe” in the Run window, and hit OK.
3. Choose Profile dialog box is displayed. Accept the default Outlook settings and choose OK.
4. prompted, enter the password, and then click OK.

If you can open Outlook in safe mode, try to disable the add-ins one-by-one and check if it resolves the issue. The steps to disable add-ins are listed below:

1. Open Outlook and select File.
2. Click Options > Add-ins.
3. Under Manage, select COM Add-ins.
4. Click Go.
5. Select the add-ins that you want to disable and click OK.
6. Exit Outlook and open it again.

NOTE: Try disabling programs like VPN (such as SonicWall VPN), or any suspicious program and see if it fixes the error.

If the Outlook stuck on loading profile even in safe mode then proceed to the next step.

Method 3: Create New Outlook Profile

If the above methods don’t work, then creating a new Outlook profile may help resolve the error. Look at the steps required for creating a new profile in Outlook.

1. Go to “Control Panel” > “mail” applet.
2. In the new dialog box, click “Show profile”.
3. Click the “Add” button and give a specific name to it.
4. Next, add the email account.
5. Now, change the newly created profile as the default Outlook profile.
6. Finally, restart Outlook.

NOTE: This method will resolve the “Microsoft Outlook stuck at loading profile” error in Outlook 2016 version. Now if you are using Outlook 2013 or older you can check below how to Resolve “Outlook 2013 Getting Stuck on Loading Profile” Issue.

The same issue also happens in Microsoft Outlook 2013, when you launch Outlook 2013, the program hangs or stops.

Method 4: Disable Hardware Graphics Acceleration – Recommended 2026 Fix

Sometimes Outlook gets stuck on loading profile due to graphics rendering conflicts and this mostly happens in Outlook 365, Outlook 2019 and Windows 11 systems. So disabling hardware acceleration helps Outlook to load normally without GPU conflicts.

Easy Method (For Outlook 2016/2019/365 – Most Recommended)

1. Open Outlook
2. Just Click File → Options → Advanced
3. Next Scroll to Display section
4. Check Disable Hardware Graphics Acceleration
5. And Click OK
6. Restart Outlook

Let me tell you this method works in most modern systems and resolves your profile loading freeze instantly.

NOTE: This solution is temporary because we recommend you to take advantage of hardware graphics acceleration in Office programs.

I. Registry Method For Outlook 2013 and Older

So if you find that Outlook UI is not opening you can use registry method by following these steps below:-

1. Close all Office applications
2. Press Windows + R → type regedit
3. Navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\15.0\Common\Graphics
4. Right click → New → DWORD Value
5. Name: DisableHardwareAcceleration
6. Set value to 1
7. Click OK and restart Outlook

II: Update to latest Version

The last free solution that is recommended to fix this problem is to update your video drivers to the latest version. Once you have updated your video drivers, you should be able to re-enable hardware graphics acceleration for Office.

Use the following steps to update your video card drivers.

1. On the Start Screen, select Settings on the Charms Bar.
2. Select Change PC Settings.
3. Click on the Windows Update option from the PC settings app.
4. Select Check for updates now.
5. If any updates are available, select the driver that you want to install.
6. Then select Install option.

Method 5: Check PST File Size and Repair

You need to check your file size if PST >20GB Outlook will freeze at loading profile.

To fix this you need to do the following:

• Archive old emails
• Split PST
• Repair file

Outlook Stuck After Update – Quick Fix

Many users face the “Outlook stuck at loading profile” problem just starting right after they updated their Windows or Office. This happens because new updates sometimes change Outlook settings, add-ins permissions or data file paths.

Why is Outlook stuck after update?

• Update changed Outlook profile settings
• Add-ins become incompatible
• PST/OST file path changed
• Navigation pane corrupted
• Cached credentials conflict

How to Fix Outlook After Update?

1. Reset Navigation Pane
   

• Just Press Windows + R and type:-
• Outlook.exe /resetnavpane
• And Press Enter.

2. Start Outlook in Safe Mode

• Press Windows + R and Type:
• Outlook.exe /safe
• Disable add-ins and you need to restart.

3. Check Data File Location

Sometimes Outlook cannot read PST/OST after updating so you need to verify data file location from:-

• Control Panel → Mail → Data Files
• If the path is broken you need to reselect the correct file.

Based on recent cases in 2025 and 2026 – Most Outlook loading profile issues occur after Office updates or large mailbox synchronization.

When Nothing Works – Try Tested Working Solution

In my recent testing most Outlook stuck loading profile cases were due to PST corruption or oversized files so the manual methods only provide you a temporary relief.

If your PST file is corrupted or Outlook still stuck after all fixes you can download and use a professional Outlook PST Repair tool for accuracy.

Download Now

DataHelp PST Repair Tool helps to:-

• Repair severely corrupted PST
• Fix oversized PST files
• Recover deleted emails
• Open inaccessible PST
• Fix loading profile freeze permanently

Unlike manual methods it repairs your file without any data loss and restores your Outlook instantly.

You can use this tool when:-

• Outlook stuck for long time
• PST not opening
• Scanpst failed
• Large mailbox

You Can Also Read:- How You Can Copy OST File While in Use With Smart Solutions

Manual vs Professional When Outlook Stuck at Loading Profile

Winding Things Up

This blog explained all the causes due to which “Outlook stuck at loading profile” occurs. It really annoys the users and needs some actions to be taken seriously. To resolve the issue in Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007, 2003, etc, we have mentioned some manual workarounds. However, the manual approaches are only temporary solutions. So, we recommend the professional tool that helps you to permanently fix the issue without any efforts.