How To Fix Outlook when it only starts in safe mode

Update KB3114409 (from late 2015) caused an Outlook error where email software only starts in safe mode for some users. Consequently, some users cannot open Outlook in its standard mode. The software starts without custom toolbar settings or extensions in Safe Mode, and users cannot save preferences or templates. These are some of the resolutions that can fix Outlook applications that only start in Safe Mode.If Outlook is not working properly, you might try to find the source of problems on your own, but a much faster and easier solution would be to repair Outlook using a special tool. It is able to scan Outlook data files, recover damaged files and fix most common errors.

Contents index

• Fix Outlook when it only starts in safe mode
  • Disable Outlook add-ins
  • Install update KB3114560
  • Roll back Windows 10
  • Run a Scanpst.exe Scan
  • Uncheck the option Run this program in compatibility mode

Fix Outlook when it only starts in safe mode

1. Disable Outlook add-ins

Outlook may start in Safe Mode when there are outdated add-ins that conflict with the software. Therefore, if you disable Outlook add-ins, the software may start in safe mode. Users can disable Outlook add-ins as follows.

1. Click the Outlook File tab.
2. Select Options to open an Outlook Options window.
3. Click Add-Ins on the left of the window.
4. Select Com Add-on from the Manage drop-down menu.
5. Press the Go button .
6. Uncheck all the add-ins listed in the COM Add-ins window.
7. Press the OK button .
8. Then restart Outlook.

2. Install update KB3114560

As already mentioned, an update to KB3114409 was responsible for Outlook 2010 starting in safe mode for some users. Consequently, Microsoft released an update for KB3114560 that fixes Outlook starting in safe mode. Therefore, installing that update could solve the problem at least for Outlook 2010 users.

Click Download update KB3114560 for 64-bit version of Outlook 2010 on the Update page to obtain the update installer. Users with 32-bit Outlook will need to click Download update KB3114560 for 32-bit version of Outlook 2010 . Then press the Download button and open the installer for the update.

3. Roll back Windows 10

Since updates are known to be responsible for Outlook starting in safe mode, the ability to roll back Windows 10 to an earlier date is another possible solution. This will roll back Windows and application updates after a selected restore point. In this way, users can restore Outlook at a time when it did not always run in Safe Mode. Users can undo Windows 10 with System Restore as follows.

1. Press the Windows key + the X hotkey.
2. Select Run to open the window for that accessory.
3. Enter rstrui in Run to open System Restore
4. The System Restore window may include an option Choose a different restore option . If so, select that option and click the Next button .
5. Select the Show more restore points checkbox to get the complete list of restore points
6. Next, select a restore point that can restore Outlook at a time when it was not always open in Safe Mode.
7. To get an overview of what software (and updates) are removed for a restore point, press the Scan for affected programs button
8. Select the Next option and then click Finish . Windows will return to the restore point.

4. Run a Scanpst.exe Scan

Outlook may start in Safe Mode if the PST file is corrupted. Users can fix corrupted PST files with Scanpst.exe utility for Outlook. Follow the guidelines below to scan the PST with Scanpst.exe.

1. First, close Outlook if it is open.
2. Open File Explorer by pressing Windows key + E hotkey.
3. Next, open the Office folder in File Explorer, which will likely have a file path C: Program Files (x86) Microsoft OfficeOffice15 (for Office 2015). Alternatively, users can enter scanpst.exe in Cortana to search for Scanpst.exe.
4. Click on Scanpst.exe in the Office folder to open that utility window
5. Click the Browse button to select the PST file. PST files are typically located in the Files folder of DocumentsOutlook for an Outlook profile.
6. Press the Start button to start scanning.
7. Select the Repair option to repair a corrupted PST.

5. Uncheck the option Run this program in compatibility mode

Some users have confirmed that deselecting the Run this program in compatibility mode option has corrected the problem starting Outlook in Safe Mode. Therefore, if Outlook has been configured to run in compatibility mode, that resolution might fix the problem. Users can deselect . Please run this program in compatibility mode for Outlook as follows.

1. Open the File Explorer window.
2. Open the Office folder in File Explorer, which will likely be in the C: Program Files (x86) folder for Microsoft Office for most users.
3. Then right-click on Outlook.exe in the Office folder to select Properties .
4. Select the Compatibility tab shown in the snapshot directly below
5. Clear the check box for the Run this program in compatibility mode option .
6. Select the Apply option .
7. Then click OK to close the window.
8. Then click Outlook.exe in the Office folder to start the application.

These are some of the best resolutions that can fix Outlook by starting in Safe Mode. In addition to these resolutions, setting up a new Outlook user profile can also fix the problem.