Need to update Microsoft Outlook

Ben Hoglund 0 Reputation points
2026-09-07T20:46:06.72+00:00

My Outlook programs stopped working and I received a message indicating that I need to update my software. I entered the e-mail address associated with my account, was sent an access code which I entered. The next screen said that there was an atypical error and I couldn't proceed any further. I've tried multiple times and received the same message.

Outlook | Windows | Classic Outlook for Windows | For home
0 comments

3 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Vikki-T 10,185 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-09-12T12:08:33.55+00:00

    Hi Ben Hoglund,

    Before trying the update again, could you clarify where the update message appeared: directly inside Outlook, in an email, or on a webpage opened from a link? If it opened a webpage, please share the website address shown in the browser, but do not post your email address, verification code, or any other personal information.

    For now, please stop requesting or entering additional codes on that page. Instead, open your Microsoft account directly and review the Recent activity page for any sign-in attempts you do not recognize: Review your Microsoft account activity

    If the page where you entered the code was not an official Microsoft website, change your password immediately and review your security information: Secure your Microsoft account

    You can then update Office only from a trusted location by opening another Office application, such as Word, and selecting File > Account > Update Options > Update Now.

    Could you also share the exact wording or a screenshot of the “atypical error,” with any email addresses or other personal details removed? This will help determine whether the problem is related to Outlook, account verification, or the page used for the update. Thank you so much for your understanding. 

    Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Hornblower409 14,815 Reputation points
    2026-09-09T01:28:04.8766667+00:00

    @Ben Hoglund said

    My Outlook programs stopped working and I received a message indicating that I need to update my software. I entered the e-mail address associated with my account, was sent an access code which I entered. The next screen said that there was an atypical error and I couldn't proceed any further. I've tried multiple times and received the same message.

    Microsoft does not normally send an email telling you that you need to update your software. But this is a technique used by hackers.

    Do you still have the original email? If so, what web site did you go to where you entered your e-mail address? I don't need the whole email, just the link to the web site you were directed to.

    On that website, did you enter only the code that was sent to you, or also your account password or any other information?

    Also, please review this article to ensure that your account is still safe.
    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accounts-billing/security/what-is-the-recent-activity-page

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments

  3. AI answer

    2026-09-07T20:46:20.2733333+00:00

    For classic Outlook on Windows, start with the update and repair path that matches a stopped-working or blocked-update scenario:

    1. Install the latest Office updates.
      • Open an Office app such as Word.
      • Go to File > Account.
      • Under Product Information, select Update Options > Update Now.
      • If Update Now is not shown, select Enable Updates first.
    2. If Outlook or Office shows a stopped working message, also install Windows updates.
      • Select Start.
      • Type Windows Update.
      • Select Check for updates.
      • Install any available updates.
    3. If Outlook still freezes or stops working after updating, repair Office.
      • Quit all Microsoft 365 programs.
      • Open Control Panel > Programs and Features.
      • In the installed programs list, right-click Microsoft Office 2016 and select Change.
    4. If the issue is specifically an update failure with an atypical error during update, restart Windows and try the manual update again from File > Account > Update Options > Update Now.
    5. If the manual update still fails, restart the Click-to-Run service, then try the update again.
      • Close all Office apps.
      • Open Command Prompt as administrator.
      • Run: net stop clicktorunsvc & net start clicktorunsvc
      • Reopen Word, then go to File > Account > Update Options > Update Now.
      • Warning: this command restarts the Office Click-to-Run service, so all Office apps should be closed first.
    6. If Outlook opens but has account or connection issues afterward, repair the Outlook profile.
      • In Outlook, choose File.
      • Choose Account Settings > Account Settings.
      • On the Email tab, select the account, then choose Repair.
      • Restart Outlook when the wizard finishes.
      • Note: Repair is not available in Outlook 2016 when connected to an Exchange account.

    If Outlook is hanging before the update can complete, first check whether a dialog box is open with Alt+Tab, and if Outlook is processing a large move or delete operation, wait for it to finish before retrying the update.

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

    Was this answer helpful?

Your answer

Answers can be marked as 'Accepted' by the question author and 'Recommended' by moderators, which helps users know the answer solved the author's problem.