outlook 2024 will not work

For classic Outlook 2024, the most likely causes are that classic Outlook is not actually installed on the PC, the account setup needs manual configuration, or Outlook is hanging after setup.

Try this in order:

1. Confirm classic Outlook is installed
   • On many new Windows PCs in 2024 and later, only new Outlook for Windows is preinstalled.
   • If opening Outlook shows an error like “We couldn't verify and install this because it is not available in the Microsoft Store”, install the standalone classic Outlook for Windows download and complete the prompts.
2. If account setup fails, try an app password
   • If the email address and password are correct but setup still fails, the account may require an app-password instead of the normal password.
3. Set up the account manually
   • In classic Outlook, go to File > Account Information > Add Account.
   • Enter the third-party email address.
   • Select Advanced options > Let me set up my account manually.
   • Choose POP or IMAP.
   • Enter the account password, then select Connect.
   • If setup fails, select Change Account Settings and update the incoming and outgoing server information using the settings from the email provider or the POP/IMAP server reference.
   • Select Connect, then Done.
   Important: manual setup in classic Outlook is not available for Microsoft 365 or Exchange accounts, unless using POP or IMAP and that access is enabled.
4. If setup completes but mail and folders do not work correctly, verify the account type
   • If the mailbox is a Hotmail.com or Live.com address, it should use Outlook.com as the account type, not Exchange or Microsoft 365.
5. If Outlook opens but freezes or stops responding
   • Check whether a dialog box is open. Use Alt+Tab to look for a hidden confirmation window.
   • Check the Outlook status bar. If Outlook is moving or deleting a large number of messages, auto-archiving, or processing a large attachment, wait a few minutes.
   • Install the latest Windows and Microsoft 365/Office updates.
   • Repair Office:
     1. Close Outlook and other Microsoft 365 apps.
     2. Open Control Panel > Programs and Features.
     3. Right-click the installed Microsoft Office entry and select Change.
6. If Outlook crashes when opening or starting a new email
   • Close Outlook and other Office apps.
   • Open Start > Run.
   • Enter %localappdata%\Microsoft and select OK.
   • In File Explorer, create a new folder named FORMS2.

If the issue is specifically “setup fails”, focus on steps 2 through 4. If the issue is “it sets up but then hangs, freezes, or will not send/open properly”, focus on step 5 and then step 6.

References:

• Troubleshoot Outlook email setup
• Install or reinstall classic Outlook on a Windows PC
• You can't open classic Outlook on a new Windows PC
• Classic Outlook not responding, stuck at "Processing," stopped working, or freezes
• Outlook for Windows not responding, hangs, freezes, or stops working
• Classic Outlook crashes opening or starting a new email