13 Ways to Fix QuickBooks Outlook is Not Responding Error

Sometimes, when sending emails from QuickBooks using Microsoft Outlook, you might get the QuickBooks Outlook is not responding error. As a result, you are unsuccessful in sending emails to your intended clients. You are likely to observe the following error messages on your computer’s screen:

“Outlook is not responding.”

or

“ QuickBooks is unable to send your emails to Outlook.”

Some of the most common indications of this error include the following:

• Freezing of QB Desktop and Outlook, becoming totally unresponsive to any command.
• Slow performance of Outlook or QuickBooks Desktop
• Unexpected closure of QuickBooks on your system
• Data corruption in QuickBooks company files

The good point is that you can resolve this issue using effective techniques. Let’s dive into the article to learn why we face this problem and what resolutions we can implement for it.

Why Do You Get Outlook Not Responding Error Message in QB?

Here are the main reasons behind the QuickBooks Outlook is not responding error:

• Running QuickBooks with complete admin privileges
• Possible corruption in the MAPI32.dll file
• Inaccurate email preferences in QuickBooks Desktop
• Invalid Internet settings on your system 
• Execution of Outlook processes in the background
• Defective program configuration of QuickBooks

Now, let’s move to the next section to find out some of the easiest fixes for this issue.

Effective Tricks to Resolve QB Outlook Not Functioning Error 

Here’s the table that demonstrates all the effective resolutions for the QuickBooks Outlook is not responding error. Explore the table and seamlessly send all QB emails using Outlook.

Let’s jump to the following section to look at some of the most detailed troubleshooting hacks for this error. 

13 Solutions For QuickBooks Outlook is Not Responding Error

Before using any method to resolve the QuickBooks Outlook is not responding error, you should do the following:

• Download and install the latest QuickBooks Desktop updates. This will ensure that you are able to utilize the newly developed features, bug fixes, and services during the troubleshooting process.
• Install all the new Windows updates. This will allow you to ensure smooth execution of QuickBooks on your computer.
• Download the latest Microsoft Outlook updates. You will get fresh tools and features through the new Outlook updates. 

Now, you can utilize the resolutions discussed below in the precise sequence: 

1. Modify the Admin Privileges in QuickBooks 

You might fail to send emails via Outlook if QuickBooks is set to function automatically with admin rights. To fix this issue, you should disable the admin settings in QB Desktop. Here’s how to do so: 

• Close QuickBooks Desktop and launch the Start menu.
• Enter QuickBooks in the search and right-click the QuickBooks icon.
• Click Open file location.
• Right-click the QuickBooks.exe file. Choose Properties.
• Tap on the Compatibility tab.
• Now, unmark the checkbox for Run this program as Administrator option.

Note: If you find the above-mentioned option grayed out, click on Show Settings for All Users. Now you will be able to unmark the checkbox for Run this program as Administrator option. 

• Click on Apply and choose OK.

Once you are done, send a test email to check if the error has been resolved. If you still get the QuickBooks Outlook is not responding error, you should try the next solution. 

2. Verify the Email Preferences in QB Desktop

Having inaccurate email preferences in QB can trigger the Outlook not responding error message in QuickBooks. Here’s how to check the email preferences: 

• Open QuickBooks, and click on Edit.
• Choose Preferences. 

Note: If you use Microsoft Outlook with Microsoft Exchange Server, you need to open the same and log in to Outlook before proceeding to the next step.

• Choose Send Forms and click on My Preferences.
• Choose Outlook as the email option and click on OK.

Now, send an email from QuickBooks and check if Outlook is not responding. If you run into an issue, try toggling the preferences. Here’s how to do so:

• Click on the Edit menu. Choose Preferences.
• Tap on Send Forms. Select the My Preferences tab.

• Click on QuickBooks E-mail or Webmail, followed by OK. You have turned the preferences off.
• Now, we will repeat the steps to turn the preferences on. Click on the My Preferences tab.
• Choose Outlook followed by OK.

Now, close all the programs open on the computer, including QuickBooks, and restart the PC. Finally, launch QuickBooks Desktop and check whether you see QuickBooks Outlook is not responding error while sending an email. If you still get this error, consider checking the Internet settings as described below. 

3. Verify the Internet Settings

QuickBooks uses the default Internet Settings to run various services. Any misconfiguration in the Internet settings can make Outlook unresponsive when sending QuickBooks emails. Therefore, let us check the email preferences from there:

• Open the Start menu. Type Internet Options in the search box.
• Select Internet Options and tap on the Programs tab.
• Choose Set Programs.

• Click on Set your default programs.

• Now, choose the email service you use and click on Apply.
• Tap on OK and close Internet Options.

Open QuickBooks Desktop and check if you can send a test email. If you continue to get the QuickBooks Outlook is not responding error, consider fixing the MAPI32.dll file as discussed below. 

4. Fix the MAPI32.dll File On Your System

The MAPI32.dll file facilitates the connection between QB Desktop and Microsoft Outlook. Any damage in this file will provoke the QB Outlook not responding issue. Therefore, let’s first run a test to isolate the problem: 

• Restart the computer.
• Now open MS Word. Select to create a new document.
• Choose the File menu and select Send.
• Click on Email as a PDF attachment. 

If you are not able to send the email, the problem is with Microsoft Office. Reach out to Microsoft support to fix that.

However, if you can send the email through MS Word but not through QuickBooks, let us repair the MAPI32.dll file according to the following steps: 

• Close any programs open on the computer.
• Press the Windows key. This will launch the Start menu
• Press the Windows + E keys together to launch the File Explorer. 
• On the bar where you see the file path, enter C:\Windows\System32.

• Locate the Fixmapi.exe file. Double-click on it to start the repair. 
• Follow the onscreen instructions and complete the repair.

Now, open QuickBooks Desktop and send an email. Check if you still get the QuickBooks Outlook is not responding error. If that’s the case, consider providing an exemption to QB in antivirus software as detailed below.  

5. Exempt QuickBooks in Antivirus Software

The antivirus software installed on your system might perceive QuickBooks as a threat to system files & folders. Consequently, Outlook remains unresponsive when sending QB emails. You need to make sure that you have listed QuickBooks in the exception list of the antivirus program. Once done, you will successfully send all emails to your clients using Outlook.

However, if you still get the QuickBooks Outlook is not responding error, try granting exemption to QB in Windows Firewall as explained below. 

6. Grant Complete Exemption to QB in the Firewall 

Windows Firewall might identify QuickBooks as a hazardous program for your system’s security. As a result, it might hinder you from sending QB emails, triggering the Outlook not responding problem. You need to provide total exemption to QB Desktop in Windows Firewall on your computer. Once done, you can seamlessly send each email to your clients.

However, if you continue to notice the QuickBooks Outlook is not responding error, consider fixing the QB program as mentioned below. 

7. Repair QuickBooks Program If You Get QuickBooks Outlook is Not Responding Error

To make sure that the QuickBooks Outlook is not responding error doesn’t stem from a damaged QB program, let us run the Quick Fix my Program tool. Here’s how you can do it: 

• Firstly, download & install QuickBooks Tool Hub on your computer. 
• Now, you have to immediately double-click the icon of QB Tool Hub. Once you have opened the QB Tool Hub, go to Program Problems.

• Tap Quick Fix my Program and wait for some time to repair the QB application program.
• Finally, you can open QuickBooks and send all your emails to your clients. 

If you still see the QuickBooks Outlook is not responding error, consider repairing QB Desktop as outlined below. 

8. Repair QuickBooks Desktop From the Control Panel

Internal issues in QB Desktop can trigger Outlook errors when sending emails. To fix this issue, you should repair QuickBooks. Here’s how you need to do so: 

• Open the Start menu and choose Control Panel.
• Click on Programs and Features.
• Choose QuickBooks Desktop.
• Now click on Change. Select Repair and continue with the instructions.
• Select Finish.

However, if you continue to note the QuickBooks Outlook is not responding error, you can move back to the earlier edition of Outlook as discussed below. 

9. Roll Back to the Earlier Version of Outlook

If you realize that you started getting the error after updating Microsoft Outlook, you can roll back to the earlier version. Here is how you can do that:

• Close all Office applications.
• Choose Start and enter cmd in the Search box.
• Right-click Command Prompt (or cmd.exe) and choose Run as administrator.
• You will see the Command Prompt window. Enter the following command and tap enter:

cd %programfiles%\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\ClickToRun

• Now, enter the following command as well and press enter.

officec2rclient.exe /update user updatetoversion=16.0.17231.20236

• When the process completes, open Outlook.
• Tap on File and choose Office Account.
• Click on Update Options followed by Disable Updates.

Now, restart the computer and open QuickBooks Desktop. Check if you can send emails through QuickBooks. If you still notice the QuickBooks Outlook is not responding error, try using Webmail to send your emails as described below. 

10. Stop Running QB Desktop in Compatibility Mode

Using QuickBooks in Compatibility Mode in Windows 7 or Vista can trigger the Outlook error in QB Desktop. To resolve this issue, make sure that you have disabled the Compatibility Mode in QB. Here’s how to do so:

• First of all, right-click the QB icon and select Properties.
• Next, go to the Compatibility tab in the Properties window.
• At this point, clear the checkbox to Run this program in compatibility mode for.
• Tap OK and immediately run QuickBooks to send all your emails.

If you continue to see the QuickBooks Outlook is not responding error, try stopping all Outlook processes as explained below.

11. End All Outlook Processes Functioning On the Computer

QuickBooks won’t be able to send emails if any Outlook process is running in the background. You need to stop all the Outlook processes running on your system. Here’s how to do so:

• First & foremost, tap Ctrl + Alt + Delete to bring up the Task Manager window.
• Next, jump to the Processes tab and select all Outlook processes.

• Click End Task to stop all the selected Outlook processes.
• Finally, you can send emails using Outlook to your business clients. 

However, if you still find the QuickBooks Outlook is not responding error, try using Webmail as described below.

12. Use Webmail to Send QuickBooks Emails 

If you find yourself unable to send QuickBooks emails through Outlook, you can try an alternative. It is setting up the webmail to QuickBooks Desktop. Here’s how you can do so: 

• Open QuickBooks Desktop and click on the Edit menu
• Choose Preferences.
• Tap on Send Forms and select Web Mail.

• Choose Add.
• Click on the drop-down menu and provide the email address.
• Select the Use Enhanced Security checkbox followed by OK.

Note: You can unmark the checkbox if you find this error: ‘Network Error. Please try again’.

• Now, log into your QuickBooks account & send all emails. 

Do you still note the QuickBooks Outlook is not responding error? If that’s the case, consider performing the clean installation of QuickBooks, as mentioned below. 

13. Clean Install QuickBooks Desktop

When you reinstall QB Desktop, many issues will automatically be resolved. However, simple reinstallation won’t help; you need to clean install QuickBooks Desktop.

Once done, you should launch QuickBooks Desktop and send all emails to your clients using Microsoft Outlook. 

However, if Outlook crashes when sending QuickBooks emails, we have a dedicated guide to resolve that. 

Winding Up

In this extensive guide, we have discussed suitable ways to resolve the QuickBooks Outlook is not responding error. Hopefully, you can now send all emails using Outlook to your professional clients. 

If, however, you continue to notice this error or have a query, you can connect with a QB professional for reliable assistance. 

Common Queries On Outlook Email Error in QuickBooks

Gabby Taylor

Gabby Taylor, combines financial expertise with literary prowess. With over a decade in finance, she crafts insightful narratives on navigating fiscal complexities