Outlook Email App keeps freezing and I have tried all recommended solutions. HELP!

Try the following steps in order, focusing on things not already tried or that may affect both profiles (Gmail and work):

1. Confirm Outlook isn’t just busy
   Since Outlook never unfreezes even after waiting, treat this as a true hang, not a long-running operation. Still, quickly check the status bar at the bottom of Outlook to confirm it isn’t processing thousands of items or a large move/delete operation.
2. Start Outlook in Safe Mode and test both profiles
   This confirms whether anything in the profile or environment is causing the freeze beyond add-ins:
   • Close Outlook.
   • In Windows 10, select Start, type Outlook.exe /safe, and press Enter.
   • When prompted, choose each profile (Gmail and work) one at a time and test.
     If Outlook works reliably in Safe Mode for both profiles, the issue is likely with profile data, updates, or external software (e.g., antivirus), not just add-ins.
3. Install the latest Windows and Office updates
   Outdated builds can cause repeated freezing:
   • Use Windows Update to install all recommended updates.
   • Then install the latest Office updates as described in Install Office updates.
4. Repair Office from Control Panel
   A full repair can fix core Outlook components that cause hangs:
   • Close all Microsoft 365/Office apps.
   • Open Control Panel → Programs and Features.
   • Right-click Microsoft Office (Microsoft 365 Apps / Office 2016, etc.) → Change → choose a repair option and complete it.
     Test Outlook again with each profile.
5. Repair Outlook data files (.pst / .ost)
   Corrupt data files can cause freezing, especially when switching folders or sending/receiving:
   • Close Outlook.
   • Run the Inbox Repair Tool (SCANSPST.EXE) following the steps in Repair Outlook Data Files (.pst and .ost).
   • Repair each data file used by your Gmail and work profiles.
   • Restart Outlook and test.
6. Create a completely new Outlook profile and move accounts
   Since there are two profiles already, one or both may be corrupted. Create a fresh profile and re-add accounts:
   • Close Outlook.
   • In Windows 10: Start → type Control Panel → Enter → User Accounts → Mail → Show Profiles.
   • Select Add, give the profile a new name, and select OK.
   • Add the work account and Gmail account to this new profile.
   • In Show Profiles, select Prompt for a profile to be used and start Outlook with the new profile.
     If the new profile works reliably, return to Show Profiles later and delete the old profiles.
7. Check antivirus interaction with Outlook
   Out-of-date or tightly integrated antivirus can cause Outlook to freeze when opening messages or sending mail:
   • Update antivirus definitions from the vendor’s site.
   • Temporarily disable any Outlook-specific email scanning/plug-ins in the antivirus (do not disable real-time protection for the whole system unless just for a brief test).
   • Test Outlook again. If freezes stop, keep email-scanning integration disabled and rely on real-time file protection.
8. Use a clean boot to isolate conflicting background software
   If freezes persist, perform a selective startup to see if another service or startup app is the cause:
   • Open Control Panel → System and Security → Administrative Tools → System Configuration.
   • On General, select Selective startup, clear Load system services and Load startup items.
   • Then re-check Load system services, select OK, and restart.
   • If Outlook works, re-enable services and startup items one by one (as described in the clean boot steps) until the freezing returns; the last enabled item is likely the culprit.
9. If using POP accounts anywhere, check for known Windows 11 issues
   If any profile uses POP and the device is on Windows 11 with recent updates, there is a known bug where POP profiles hang and freeze after a specific Windows update (KB5074109). The temporary fix is to uninstall that update via Settings → Windows Update → Update history → Uninstall updates, then remove KB5074109 if present.

If, after all of the above (new profile, repaired data files, fully updated Office/Windows, antivirus and clean boot checks), Outlook still freezes immediately for both profiles, capture the exact build of Outlook and Windows and consider opening a support case, as the behavior may match a newly emerging issue.

References:

• Classic Outlook not responding, stuck at "Processing," stopped working, or freezes
• Outlook not responding error or Outlook freezes when you open a file or send mail
• Outlook not responding, stuck at "Processing," stopped working, or freezes
• Outlook Freezing and Not Responding and Not saving changes when ending the task - Microsoft Q&A
• Outlook keeps crashing - Microsoft Q&A