Outlook gets stuck, stops syncing, or keeps showing old mail until you fully close it and open it again. The restart that works depends on the version in front of you: new Outlook, classic Outlook, Outlook for Mac, mobile Outlook, or Outlook in a browser. Start with the fastest close-and-reopen method, then use the stronger reset options when Outlook keeps acting up.
Restart Outlook normally on Windows
Select the Close button in the upper-right corner of the Outlook window. Open Outlook again from Start, the taskbar, or your desktop shortcut.
With Outlook active, press Alt+F4 to exit the active app. Reopen Outlook from Start, the taskbar, or your desktop shortcut.
Tip: when Outlook stays frozen on screen, use Task Manager instead.
Force Outlook to close with Task Manager
This fixes Outlook when the app is frozen, hanging, or refusing to close from the window button.
Right-click Start and select Task Manager. Select Microsoft Outlook, then choose End task.
Confirm that new Outlook has closed. Close Task Manager, then reopen Outlook from Start, the taskbar, or your shortcut.
Use Safe Mode for classic Outlook startup trouble
Safe Mode is for classic Outlook on Windows when the app fails at launch or will not start cleanly. Press Windows key + R, type Outlook /safe in the Open box, then choose OK.
Another current classic Outlook route is the shortcut method. Press and hold Ctrl, double-click the Outlook shortcut, then choose Yes when Outlook asks to start in Safe Mode.
To leave Safe Mode, exit Outlook and start it again normally. If Safe Mode fails, run the classic Outlook startup troubleshooter in Microsoft Get Help, or close Outlook and run Outlook.exe /resetnavpane from Windows key + R. The troubleshooter needs Windows 10 or higher, has to run on the same PC as classic Outlook, and does not work with new Outlook for Windows.
Quit Outlook on a Mac
On a Mac, start with a normal quit, then force quit when Outlook stops responding.
- 1.Choose Outlook in the menu bar, then select Quit Outlook, or press Command-Q.
- 2.Reopen Outlook from the Dock, Launchpad, Applications, or Spotlight.
- 3.When Outlook is not responding, press Option, Command, and Esc together, or choose Force Quit from the Apple menu.
- 4.Select Outlook, click Force Quit, then reopen Outlook.
- 5.When the Force Quit window does not close it, open Activity Monitor, select Outlook, click the Stop button, choose Quit or Force Quit, then reopen Outlook.
Restart Outlook on iPhone or iPad
The most common mobile fix is closing Outlook from the app switcher and opening it again.
On iPhone, open the App Switcher, swipe right until you find Outlook, then swipe up on the app. On an iPhone with a Home button, double-click Home to show recent apps, then swipe up on Outlook. Return to the Home Screen or App Library, then tap Outlook.
On iPad, open Exposé, swipe up on Outlook, then reopen it from the Home Screen, App Library, or Dock.
Restart Outlook on Android
With gesture navigation, swipe up from the bottom, hold, and let go to open recent apps. With 3-button navigation, tap Overview or Recent apps instead. Swipe up on Outlook, then open Outlook again from the Home screen or app list.
For a stronger app restart on Pixel and similar Android phones, open Settings, tap Apps, then tap See all apps. Choose Outlook, tap Force stop, tap OK, then reopen Outlook. Settings labels vary by phone, so on other Android devices open Outlook's App info page and use your device's Force stop control.
When Outlook still fails after that, restart the phone. On most phones, and on Pixel 5a and earlier, press and hold the Power button for about 30 seconds or until the phone restarts. On Pixel 6 and later, including Fold, press and hold the Power button and Volume up together for a few seconds. Tap Restart when your phone shows that option, then open Outlook again.
Refresh Outlook on the web
Use this method when Outlook is open at outlook.com or outlook.office.com and the browser tab is stale, stuck, or out of sync.
In Microsoft Edge, press Ctrl+R or F5 to reload the current page. For a stronger refresh, press Ctrl+Shift+R or Shift+F5 to reload while ignoring cached content.
To restart the browser session, press Ctrl+W to close the current tab. To close the whole browser window, press Alt+F4. Reopen Microsoft Edge and go back to outlook.com or outlook.office.com.
Repair or reinstall when restarting does not last
This fixes Outlook when it keeps crashing, opens with bad local data, or still behaves badly after a normal restart.
On mobile, open Outlook, go to Settings, select your email account, then choose Reset Account. When Outlook mobile crashes as soon as it opens, clear the browser cache on the device. Remove the Outlook app and reinstall it.
For new Outlook on Windows 11, open Start, go to Settings, choose Apps, then select Installed apps. Select the More icon next to Outlook.
Choose Advanced options, then select Repair. When Repair is missing or Outlook still fails, select Reset.
On Windows 10, open Start, go to Settings, choose Apps, then select Apps & features. Select Outlook, choose Advanced options, then use Repair or Reset.
For classic Outlook installed with Microsoft 365 or Office on Windows 11, right-click Start and select Installed apps. Choose your Microsoft 365 or Office product, select the ellipses, then choose Modify.
On Windows 10, right-click Start and select Apps and Features. Choose your Microsoft 365 or Office product, then select Modify.
For Click-to-run Office, use Online Repair and Repair, or use Quick Repair. For MSI-based Office, select Repair, then choose Continue.
For new Outlook on Windows, uninstall it from Start, reinstall it from the Microsoft Store, then select Open after the download finishes. To download new Outlook, you must be running Windows 10 version 17763.0 or later.
Check managed work or school devices
The most common cause on work or school PCs is that your organization controls whether Outlook opens as new Outlook or classic Outlook.
If Outlook keeps switching versions, the Try the new Outlook toggle is missing, or the app returns after removal, contact your IT team. Microsoft provides admin controls for managed environments, and those controls are separate from consumer restart steps.
On a PC with both versions installed, switch from new Outlook by using the toggle at the top right and choosing Switch back to classic Outlook or Use classic Outlook this time. If the toggle is missing, open Outlook (classic) from the Windows Start menu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is restarting Outlook the same as restarting my computer?
No. Restarting Outlook closes the Outlook app or browser session and opens it again. Restarting the computer or phone is a stronger step after the app restart fails.
Does Outlook Safe Mode work in new Outlook for Windows?
No. The Outlook /safe method applies to classic Outlook for Windows, not new Outlook for Windows.
What should I do if Outlook mobile still shows old or incomplete data after restarting?
Use Outlook's in-app Reset Account option. Open Outlook Settings, select the email account, then choose Reset Account.
Why does Outlook keep opening as new Outlook instead of classic Outlook?
On a personal PC, use the toggle in new Outlook to switch back, or launch Outlook (classic) from Start when it is installed. On a managed work or school PC, your organization controls that behavior.