Microsoft Outlook is a powerful and feature-rich email client, but it can sometimes slow down or freeze at critical moments. One of the most common and frustrating situations users face is Outlook becoming unresponsive or stuck whenever they try to send an email, i.e., Outlook not responding when sending email. If you’re looking for reliable ways to repair Outlook that freezes every time you send mail, this detailed guide explains the root causes and provides proven solutions that work across various versions of Outlook. Along with that, we will discuss the expert-favorite SysTools PST Repair Tool. By following the steps below, you can restore smooth email operations and prevent freezing issues in the future.

 

Why Does Outlook Freeze Every Time You Send Mail?

To effectively repair Outlook that freezes every time you send mail, it’s important to understand what triggers this behavior. The usual culprits include corrupted data files, faulty add-ins, large attachments, a damaged Outlook profile, issues with SMTP settings, or conflicts with antivirus programs. Once you know where the issue originates, you can apply the most suitable solution. The sections below cover all recommended methods with full step-by-step elaboration.

Start Outlook in Safe Mode to Disable Add-In Conflicts

Outlook add-ins play a helpful role, but faulty or outdated ones can cause Outlook to freeze during the send operation. To diagnose this:

  1. Press Windows + R and type: outlook.exe /safe

  2. Launch Outlook and try sending an email.

  3. If Outlook no longer freezes, go to File > Options > Add-ins.

  4. Choose COM Add-ins and click Go.

  5. Disable all add-ins, then re-enable one at a time.

This helps you identify the add-in causing Outlook to freeze. Once found, update or uninstall it. This is often one of the simplest ways to repair Outlook that freezes every time you send mail because users commonly install multiple add-ins over time without realizing their impact.

Repair Damaged Outlook Data Files (PST/OST Repair)

Corruption in PST or OST files is one of the most frequent reasons behind Outlook freezing issues. When these data files become large or damaged, Outlook struggles to process outgoing emails, which leads to the application becoming stuck. To repair PST files using the Inbox Repair Tool (ScanPST):

  1. Close Outlook completely.

  2. Navigate to the ScanPST tool location (usually in Program Files > Office).

  3. Open ScanPST.exe and browse your PST file.

  4. Click Start to begin the scan.

  5. If errors appear, click Repair.

If the file has severe corruption, manual repair may not be sufficient. In such cases, you can rely on professional tools like the SysTools Outlook Recovery Software, which helps recover highly corrupted data files and restore Outlook to a working state without data loss.

This method is extremely helpful when you need to repair Outlook that freezes every time you send mail due to data file corruption.

Reduce the Size of Oversized Mailboxes

A large or bloated mailbox can drastically slow down Outlook's performance, especially when sending messages that require database updates. To optimize mailbox size:

  1. Open Outlook and go to File > Tools > Mailbox Cleanup.

  2. Empty Deleted Items and Junk folders.

  3. Use the Find items older than 6 months option to delete unnecessary emails.

  4. Remove large attachments or save them outside Outlook.

  5. Compact data files through Account Settings > Data Files > Settings > Compact Now.

Reducing mailbox size not only helps repair Outlook that freezes every time you send mail but also improves overall performance and responsiveness.

Reset or Recreate Your Outlook Profile

A corrupted Outlook profile can interfere with send/receive operations. Creating a fresh profile often resolves freezing during email sending.

  1. Open the Control Panel and choose Mail.

  2. Click Show Profiles.

  3. Select Add to create a new profile.

  4. Reconfigure your email account.

  5. Set the new profile as the default.

Send a test email. If Outlook performs smoothly, the previous profile may have been corrupted.

This method is particularly effective when other troubleshooting steps don’t fully repair Outlook that freezes every time you send mail because profile corruption is less obvious but highly disruptive.

Check and Correct SMTP Server Settings

Incorrect outgoing server settings can cause Outlook to hang while trying to connect to the SMTP server. To verify your settings:

  1. Go to File > Account Settings.

  2. Select your email account and click Change.

  3. Verify that SMTP details, SSL settings, and ports match your provider’s recommendations.

  4. Click More Settings > Outgoing Server and ensure authentication is enabled.

  5. Run the Test Account Settings option.

Proper configuration ensures smooth email delivery and helps repair Outlook that freezes every time you send mail due to misconfigured server details.

Disable Real-Time Scanning by Antivirus Software

Overprotective antivirus programs can interfere with outgoing mail scanning, causing Outlook to freeze. You can temporarily disable email scanning features:

  1. Open your antivirus application.

  2. Locate email scanning or outbound email scanning settings.

  3. Disable only the Outlook-related scanning feature (not the entire antivirus).

Test sending an email after this change. If the freezing stops, consider adding Outlook to the antivirus exclusion list. This is another effective way to repair Outlook that freezes every time you send mail.

Update Outlook and Install Latest Windows Patches

Outdated builds often contain bugs that cause performance issues. Always keep Outlook and Windows updated.

  1. Open File > Office Account > Update Options.

  2. Click Update Now.

  3. Also run Windows Update and install pending patches.

Latest updates include bug fixes, performance optimizations, and stability improvements that help repair Outlook that freezes every time you send mail due to outdated components.

Perform a Full Outlook Repair from Control Panel

If none of the above solutions work, repairing the entire Outlook installation may help.

  1. Go to Control Panel > Programs & Features.

  2. Select Microsoft Office.

  3. Click Change and choose Quick Repair.

  4. If issues persist, run Online Repair.

This restores Outlook files and system components, often resolving stubborn freezing issues.

Conclusion

Facing Outlook freezes when sending emails is frustrating, but the problem is fixable by following the methods discussed above. Whether the issue is caused by corrupted files, faulty add-ins, incorrect settings, or profile corruption, the solutions provided will help you effectively repair Outlook that freezes every time you send mail. Make sure to apply the steps in the recommended order and use advanced tools when necessary to maintain a smooth and reliable Outlook experience.