Issue: Outlook Freezing or Crashing in Office 365

Symptoms:

1. Outlook becomes unresponsive and doesn't respond to user input.
2. Outlook crashes abruptly and closes unexpectedly.
3. Frequent freezing or crashing when performing specific actions, such as sending emails or opening attachments.

Possible Causes:

1. Add-In Interference: Third-party add-ins or plugins installed in Outlook can sometimes conflict with the application, leading to freezing or crashing.
2. Corrupted Data Files: Corrupted Outlook data files (OST/PST) can cause freezing or crashing when Outlook tries to access them.
3. Outdated Software: Using an outdated version of Outlook or not having the latest updates installed can result in instability.
4. Hardware Acceleration: Some graphics card configurations might cause freezing when hardware acceleration is enabled.

Resolution Steps:

Step 1: Start Outlook in Safe Mode

1. Launch Outlook in Safe Mode to see if the issue persists without third-party add-ins: a. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog. b. Type outlook.exe /safe and press Enter. c. If Outlook works fine in Safe Mode, it indicates a third-party add-in issue.

Step 2: Disable Add-Ins

1. If Safe Mode works fine, disable add-ins to identify the problematic one: a. Open Outlook. b. Go to File > Options > Add-Ins. c. Select "COM Add-ins" from the dropdown and click "Go." d. Uncheck the add-ins and click OK. e. Restart Outlook.

Step 3: Repair Outlook Data Files

1. Repair corrupted OST/PST files to resolve potential data file issues: a. Close Outlook. b. Open the Control Panel. c. Navigate to "Mail" > "Data Files." d. Select the problematic data file and click "Settings." e. Click "Repair" and follow the prompts.

Step 4: Update Outlook

1. Ensure Outlook is updated to the latest version: a. Open Outlook. b. Go to File > Office Account. c. Click "Update Options" > "Update Now."

Step 5: Disable Hardware Acceleration

1. If hardware acceleration is causing issues: a. Open Outlook. b. Go to File > Options > Advanced. c. Under the Display section, uncheck "Disable hardware graphics acceleration."

Step 6: Check System Graphics Drivers

1. Ensure your graphics drivers are up to date: a. Right-click on the Windows Start button and select "Device Manager." b. Expand the "Display adapters" section, right-click your graphics card, and select "Update driver."

Step 7: Contact Support

1. If the issue persists, reach out to your organization's IT support or Microsoft support for further assistance.

Please note that these steps are provided as general troubleshooting guidelines. Always refer to official Microsoft support resources for the most accurate and up-to-date guidance on resolving Outlook freezing or crashing issues.