Fix “Outlook Stuck on Loading Profile” in Windows 10/11 (Step-by-Step Guide)

Introduction

When Microsoft Outlook gets stuck on the loading profile screen, it can stop your entire workflow. This common error usually happens due to corrupted profiles, add-ins, or cached data. In this guide, we’ll show you 7 proven ways to fix Outlook stuck on loading profile in 2025 — so you can reopen your inbox and get back to work instantly.

Causes of Outlook Stuck on Loading Profile

• Corrupt Outlook profile
• Damaged or oversized PST/OST files
• Conflicting add-ins
• Corrupted Office installation
• Compatibility issues with Windows updates

Fix 1: Run Outlook as Administrator

1. Close Outlook completely.
2. Right-click the Outlook shortcut.
3. Select Run as Administrator.
4. If it opens successfully, the issue may be related to permissions.

Fix 2: Disable Add-ins

1. Open Outlook in Safe Mode by pressing Windows + R and typing outlook.exe /safe.
2. Go to File > Options > Add-ins.
3. Disable all add-ins.
4. Restart Outlook normally.
5. Re-enable add-ins one by one to find the problematic one.

Fix 3: Repair Outlook Data Files

1. Locate your PST/OST files (default path: C:\Users\[YourName]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook\).
2. Run the Inbox Repair Tool (scanpst.exe) from the Office installation folder.
3. Select your PST file and click Repair.

Fix 4: Repair Microsoft Office Installation

1. Go to Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features.
2. Select Microsoft Office.
3. Click Change > Quick Repair. If the issue persists, try Online Repair.

Fix 5: Create a New Outlook Profile

1. Open Control Panel > Mail.
2. Click Show Profiles.
3. Add a new profile and set it as default.

When to Contact Support

If none of the above fixes work, the problem may be caused by deeper corruption or server-side issues. In that case, it’s best to contact Microsoft Support or your IT administrator.

FAQs

Q1: Does reinstalling Office fix this issue?
Yes, in some cases a clean reinstallation of Office can resolve persistent profile-loading errors.

Q2: Can large PST files cause Outlook to hang?
Absolutely. If your PST file exceeds 10–20 GB, Outlook performance may degrade significantly.

Q3: Does this issue affect Outlook 365 too?
Yes, both standalone Outlook and Outlook from Microsoft 365 subscriptions can experience this error.