Easy solutions for ‘Something Went Wrong Outlook’ error

If you’ve ever encountered the frustrating “Something Went Wrong” error in Outlook, you’re not alone. This vague error message can disrupt your workflow and leave you feeling stuck.

Whether you’re trying to send an important email or access your inbox, this issue can be a major inconvenience.

Therefore, here are some methods to fix Outlook something went wrong error:

  • Disable Anti-virus
  • Enable Cookies for your Browser
  • Check for browser update
  • Reinstall browser
  • Check Microsoft Outlook server
  • Install window update

This is just an overview of the methods to solve the error. Continue reading the blog for detailed steps to fix the ‘Outlook something went wrong’ issue.


How to fix Outlook something went wrong ?

Watch the video first for your convenience, and then please perform the actions to fix the Outlook error as mentioned below. You should see the issue resolved afterward.

Fix Outlook something went wrong

Methods to fix Outlook something went wrong

Disable Anti-virus

Disabling anti virus

If you have an antivirus program installed on your system and are receiving error notifications such as “Can’t sign into Outlook” or “Outlook something went wrong and search couldn’t be completed”, it may be due to a conflict with a third-party webserver. You may need to temporarily disable your antivirus and try again.

This is because antivirus programs can sometimes interfere with certain software policies, which can affect the use of services like Outlook.

Enable Cookies for your Browser (Microsoft Edge & Chrome)

Enabling cookies can help resolve the “Outlook something went wrong” issue instantly. We have provided detailed instructions on how to enable cookies in both Microsoft Edge and Chrome.

Follow the below mentioned steps to enable cookies for your browser:- 

Microsoft Edge

  • Open Microsoft Edge on your PC, click on “” and then click on “Settings” as shown in the image below.
Steps to allow cookies on Microsoft edge (1)
  • Click on the “Cookies and site permissions” option available on the left panel of the screen and then click on the “Cookies and site data” as shown below.
Steps to allow cookies on Microsoft edge (2)
  • Enable the toggle button on for “Allow sites to…….” and “Block third-party cookies”.
Steps to allow cookies on Microsoft edge (3)

Chrome

  • Open Chrome and write the command “chrome://settings/cookies”  then select “Allow all cookies”.
Steps to allow cookies on Chrome

Check for browser update

Sometimes, using an outdated browser can prevent users from accessing Outlook files and services, and can also cause issues when performing certain tasks.

Therefore, we recommend checking for browser updates to ensure that you are using the most up-to-date version.

Typically, updates are installed automatically in the background when you close and reopen your browser.

However, if you haven’t closed your browser in a while, there may be a pending update that needs to be installed.

Follow the below-mentioned steps to update the chrome browser:-

  • Open Google chrome and write chrome://settings/help the command on the search bar and hit enter and check the status of the update as shown in the image below.
Steps to check chrome version
  • Blue: The user has updated the version on his system.
  • Green: Chrome update was released about two days ago.
  • Orange: Chrome update was released less than four days ago.
  • Red: Lastly update was released a week ago.
outlook something went wrong

Reinstall browser

If updating your web browser does not resolve the issue, you may need to reinstall your Google chrome browser.

Check Microsoft Outlook server

If you have tried adjusting settings and attempting various solutions to improve performance, but have not yet checked the Microsoft server status, it may be a good idea to do so.

  • Open the web browser and type “Down detector”, in the search dialog box and open the same.
outlook something went wrong
  • Now type “Outlook” in the search box.
outlook something went wrong
  • Review the result. If you see a red icon next to “Outlook”, it means that there is an outage.You can also see the number of reports and graphs that have been submitted for Outlook.
Steps to use down detector (3)

Clear browser history

Your browser stores information such as history, cookies, and other website data, which can sometimes cause issues when logging in to websites.

Clearing your browser history can be a good practice to follow if you are having trouble logging in.

To clear your browser history in Chrome, please follow the instructions below:

  • Use keyboard press CTRL+ Shift+ Delete button.
Steps to clear history on Chrome (1)
  • Select “All time”, click on the “Clear data”, then click on the “Advance” option.
Steps to clear history on Chrome (2)
  • Now, change the time duration from Last hour to “All time”, scroll down, check all the options, and click “Clear data.”
Steps to clear history on Chrome (3)

Use third-party email application

outlook something went wrong

A third-party email application can be used for sending and receiving emails, allowing you to manage your email profile as a standalone application for all your email needs.

To prevent Outlook errors, it may be a good idea to switch to Mailbird as an alternative.

Mailbird

Mailbird is a popular alternative to Outlook that allows you to manage multiple email address, calendars, and productivity tools from one interface.

It has an efficient use of memory and a clean interface, making it user-friendly.

Mailbird integrates with any IMAP, POP3, or Exchange email provider, making it ideal for both G-Suite and Outlook users who need to consolidate their user email addresses in one place.

Spike

Spike is a great alternative to Outlook and Windows email clients, combining instant messaging and traditional email for a modern communication solution.

Known for its Conversational Email feature, Spike offers superior email management capabilities for handling email messages, particularly effective in chat and group emails, enhancing overall email communication.

If you’re looking to access email in a new way, manage your messages efficiently, and customize your email account settings, Spike may be the perfect solution for you among the various email clients available.

Trying Sending the mail using a different browser

Sometimes there are compatibility issues with browsers that can cause errors.

Close Outlook and open it using Edge or Chrome. You may need to sign in again and re-enter your password.

If Outlook opens without any problems, you’ve found the solution. You can then either continue using that browser to access Outlook or try updating your original browser to the latest version to fix any bugs.

Remove third party Add-ins from your Browser

If you can open outlook on safe mode then try removing or disabling the Add-ins:

Go to File → Options → Add-ins and select “COM Add-ins” from the drop-down menu. Click “Go” and clear the check boxes next to any add-ins listed. Then restart Outlook.

Did it work? If Outlook is back to normal, you’ve found the problematic add-in.

Enable add-ins one by one until the error returns to determine which is causing the problem. You may need to uninstall and reinstall the add-in or check for updates.

You can perform this step if your Outlook is running. To disable Server Assisted Search in Outlook, follow these steps:

  • Open Outlook, click on File, and then select Options
  • Select “Mail” from the left pane.
  • Unchecked the box next to “Use server assisted search” under Search Options.
  • Click OK to save the changes.

Disabling this feature will prevent Outlook from using your mail server to suggest search results as you type.

Your searches will only display results from your local Outlook data, which can help speed up the search and fix the “Something went wrong” error.

Try it and your Outlook problems will be solved!

Install window update

Outdated operating systems and software can sometimes cause problems with other programs, such as Outlook.

To install windows update your PC, go to the Settings app and choose “Update & Security”. Then, click on “Check for Updates” to see if there are any new updates available.

Make sure to install any updates that are listed as “important” for security reasons. After the updates have been installed, restart your computer to complete the process.

Reopen Outlook after updating Windows. An update may have fixed the issue. If Outlook is still showing the error, proceed to try other solutions like repairing Outlook.

But keeping Windows up to date is an important first step in troubleshooting Outlook problems.

Also check: How to fix Outlook cannot send this item ?

Delete Outlook Registry keys

Here are the steps to delete Outlook Registry keys:

  • Back up the registry: Before you make any changes to the Registry, it is always a good idea to back it up. That way, if something goes wrong, you can restore the registry to its previous state.
  • To back up the registry, open the Registry Editor by simultaneously pressing the (Windows + R) keys, then type ‘regedit.exe’. And then click on File > Export and save the backup file in a safe location.
  • Locate the Outlook registry keys: To open the registry key editor, search for it in the search bar. The Outlook registry keys are located at the following location: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\\Outlook\Profiles

The placeholder represents the version of Outlook that you are using. For example, if you’re using Outlook 2016, the placeholder would be 16.0.

  • Delete Outlook registry keys: Once you have found the Outlook registry keys, you can delete them. To do this, right-click on the key and select Delete. You will be asked to confirm the deletion. Click Yes to delete the key.
  • Restart Outlook: Once you delete Outlook registry keys, you need to restart Outlook. This will ensure that the changes have taken effect.

Why does Outlook keep saying something went wrong ?

Outlook may show the “Something went wrong” error for a few reasons:

Your Outlook profile may be corrupted: If your Outlook is running then you can repair or rebuild your profile to fix this.

To do this navigate to File, then select Account Settings and check for any issue with your Outlook profile.

Then, select your email account and click “Repair” or “Rebuild” to address issues within your email boxes. This will rebuild your Outlook profile and fix all problems.

There may be problems with your email account or server: Check if you can access your email account on the web through one of the popular email clients, and consider using Outlook PST repair tools if necessary. If the issue is not resolved, reach out to your email provider for help.

The Outlook search index may be damaged. Go to File > Options > Find and click on “Rebuild” to fix this.

Outlook Data Files (.pst) may be corrupted: To fix this issue follow the steps:

  • Exit Outlook: You must exit Outlook before running the Inbox Repair Tool.
  • Locate scanpst.exe: The Inbox Repair Tool is located at the following location: %SystemRoot%\System32\Scanpst.exe
  • You can also find Inbox Repair Tool by searching for it in the Start menu.
  • Run scanpst.exe to repair any importable PST file. Double-click on the scanpst.exe file to initiate the repair process.
  • Select the PST file to repair: The Inbox Repair Tool will ask you to select the importable pst file you want to repair. If you don’t know where your PST file is located, you can click on the ‘Browse’ button to locate it.
  • Start the repair process: Click on the Start button to start the repair process. Inbox Repair Tool will scan the PST file for errors and try to repair them.
  • Review the repair results:After the repair process is complete, the Inbox Repair Tool will display a summary of the results, showcasing the Outlook software technology at work. If the repair was successful, you will see a message that reads “Repair completed.” If the repair was not successful, you will see a message that reads “Repair failed.

There may be issues with Outlook add-ins or plugins: Disable any add-ins and restart Outlook to check if this fixes the problem.

Your Outlook version may require an update: Go to File > Office Account > Update Options and install any available Outlook updates.

Run Office Repair to fix any Outlook installation problems: Navigate to the Control Panel>then select Programs> finally click on Programs and Features.

Right-click on Microsoft Office and select “Change” and then “Repair”.


Conclusion

In conclusion, encountering a connectivity issue that results in an error message like ‘Something went wrong Outlook’ can be frustrating. However, there are several solutions available to help get you back on track.

For instance, from disabling your antivirus and enabling cookies, to checking for browser updates and clearing your browser history, these simple steps can help solve common Outlook problems.

In addition, also remember to check Microsoft Outlook server status and consider reinstalling your browser if necessary.

With these tips in mind, you will be able to troubleshoot and resolve Outlook errors with ease.

For more information about such topics visit assistme360.com


Frequently Asked Question’s (FAQ’s)

How do I clear my cache in Outlook?

One can easily clear the Outlook cache by following below instructions.
Firstly, go to Outlook.
Secondly, click the “File” tab.
3. Thirdly, tap on the “Options”.
4. Next, select the Mail tab available in the left Menu-tab.
5. Then, go to the Send Messages section.
6. Next, click Empty Auto-Complete List.
7. Finally, click on the “OK” button

Why does my Outlook keep saying that something went wrong and to refresh my screen?

This issue occurs due to browser history and cache; to fix the problem, please clear cache and browser history.

How can I speed up Outlook?

Fulfil below mentioned guidelines to pace up the speed of Outlook. 
1. Disable Add-Ins
2. Download complete IMAP emails
3. Compact PST files
4. Repair PST files
5. Disable RSS feature

Is there an issue with Outlook today?

No, there is no issue with Outlook today; however, there can be an issue on your end. However, check Outlook server status by using the  website.

How do I resolve an issue in Outlook?

Use the “scanpst.exe” tool to resolve any issues in Outlook; most Outlook issues occur due to corrupt files. To check the procedure, click here.