How to Fix Outlook Crashing When Printing Mails?

Chapter 1: Why Does Outlook Crash When Printing?

Many users report Outlook crashing during AutoDiscover or while performing other tasks like printing emails. Here are a few causes behind it:

Old Software: An outdated Outlook or printer driver might miss fixes for printing glitches, especially with HTML emails’ fancy designs.
Corrupted Profile: Your Outlook profile can get jumbled, messing up printing.
Pesky Add-Ins: Third-party add-ins can act like playful gremlins, disrupting how Outlook handles HTML emails for printing.
Printer Problems: A misconfigured printer, old drivers, or shaky connection can make Outlook trip.
Overloaded Computer: Printing HTML emails needs power, and a tired computer might give up.
Tricky HTML Emails: Emails with lots of pictures or complex layouts can be too much for Outlook’s printing system.
Broken Settings or Clutter: Messed-up print settings or too many temporary files can throw Outlook off track.

Chapter 2: Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Instructions

This section has every DIY method to fix Outlook crashing; try them one after another till the issue is resolved:

1: Restart Outlook and the Printer

A quick reboot can zap minor glitches, like a magical reset button.

Close Microsoft Outlook completely.
Turn off your printer.
Wait 30 seconds to let the tech fairies rest.
Power the printer back on.
Relaunch Outlook.
Try printing the email.

2: Print as PDF First

HTML emails can be fussy. Printing to PDF first is like sneaking past the problem.

Open the email in Outlook.
Click File > Print.
Choose Microsoft Print to PDF as the printer.
Click Print and select a save location for the PDF.
Open the PDF in a viewer.
Print the PDF from the viewer.
Check if printing works.

3: Switch Email Format to Plain Text

HTML’s bells and whistles can overwhelm Outlook. Plain Text is a simpler outfit.

Open the problematic email.
Go to View tab > Format group.
Select Plain Text.
Try printing the email.

4: Update Microsoft Outlook

Outdated Outlook is like an old map—unreliable. Updates bring the latest fixes.

Launch Outlook.
Navigate to File > Office Account.
Click Update Options > Update Now.

Let Outlook download and install updates.
Restart Outlook.
Try printing the email.

Also Read: Fix Outlook Crashes Caused By Updates and Configuration Errors

5: Update or Repair Printer Drivers

Printer drivers are the translators for Outlook and your printer. Let’s give them a refresh.

Press Windows + S and type Device Manager.
Open Device Manager.
Find your printer under Printers or Print queues.
Right-click and select Uninstall device.

Visit the printer manufacturer’s website.
Locate your printer model and download the latest drivers.
Install the drivers and restart your computer.
Try printing the email.

6: Disable Add-Ins

Add-ins can act like pranksters, disrupting HTML printing. Safe Mode helps us catch them.

Press Windows + R, type outlook.exe /safe, and hit Enter.
If Outlook opens, try printing the email.
If printing works, an add-in is likely guilty.
To find the culprit:
Go to File > Options > Add-ins.
Select COM Add-ins and click Go.
Uncheck all add-ins and click OK.
Restart Outlook normally.
Re-enable add-ins one by one, testing printing after each.

Disable or update the troublesome add-in.
Try printing the email.

7: Repair Outlook Profile

A corrupted profile is like a misfiled book. Let’s put it back in order.

Close Outlook.
Open Control Panel and search for Mail.
Click Mail > Show Profiles.
Select your profile and click Properties.
Click Data Files, and note the data file’s location.
Return to the Mail window and click Repair.
Follow the prompts to finish the repair.
Reopen Outlook.
Try printing the email.

8: Check Printer Settings

A cranky printer can derail Outlook. Let’s ensure it’s ready to cooperate.

Verify that the printer is on and connected (USB, Wi-Fi, or network).
Check for adequate paper and ink/toner.
In Outlook, go to File > Print.
Confirm that the correct printer is selected.
Ensure that the paper size and orientation align with the printer settings.
Adjust settings if needed.
Try printing the email.

9: Free Up System Resources

A tired computer struggles with HTML emails. Let’s give it a breather.

Close all unnecessary programs and browser tabs.
Restart your computer to refresh memory.
Open only Outlook.
Try printing the email.
If issues remain, run Disk Cleanup (search in Windows).
Scan for malware with Windows Defender or a trusted antivirus.
Try printing the email.

10: Disable Graphics in Printing

HTML email graphics can be too much for Outlook. Let’s lighten the load.

Open Outlook.
Go to File > Options > Mail.
Find the Message format section.
Uncheck When printing, print all downloaded pictures.
Click OK.
Try printing the email.

11: Reset Outlook Print Settings

Corrupted settings can act like a bad recipe. A reset starts fresh.

Close Outlook
Press Windows + R, type %appdata%\Microsoft\Outlook, and hit Enter.
Find the outcmd.dat file.
Rename it to outcmd.old.
Restart Outlook to create a new settings file.
Try printing the email.

12: Clear Temporary Internet Files

Cached files can clog HTML rendering, like dust in a gear. Let’s clean them out.

Open Outlook.
Go to File > Options > General.
Click Empty Auto-Complete List.
If Outlook uses your browser, open your default browser.
Clear the browser’s cache (check Settings > Privacy).
Restart Outlook.
Try printing the email.

13: Simplify HTML Content

Some HTML emails are like tangled yarn. Forwarding can untangle them.

Open the problematic email.
Click Forward and send it to yourself without attachments.
Open the forwarded email.
Try printing the forwarded email.

14: Disable Hardware Acceleration

Hardware acceleration can clash with HTML rendering, like a mismatched dance partner.

Open Outlook.
Go to File > Options > Advanced.
Locate the Display section.
Check Disable hardware graphics acceleration.
Click OK.

Restart Outlook.
Try printing the email.

Chapter 3: Advanced Troubleshooting Options

If the steps above don’t crack the case, try these advanced fixes:

Repair Outlook Installation:

Open Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a program.
Select Microsoft Office.
Click Repair and follow the prompts.
Restart your computer.
Test printing.

Create a New Profile:

Open Control Panel > Mail > Show Profiles.
Click Add and name the new profile.
Configure your email account.
Set the new profile as the default.
Test printing.

Seek Expert Help:

Visit support.microsoft.com.
Search “Outlook printing issues” or start a support chat.
Alternatively, consult your IT team.

Chapter 4: Preventing Future Crashes

Keep Outlook printing like a well-oiled machine with these habits, like tending a tech garden:

Stay Updated: Check monthly for Outlook, Windows, and driver updates.
Limit Add-Ins: Use only essential add-ins and keep them current.
Back Up Data: Export your Outlook data file (.pst) to an external drive or cloud (e.g., OneDrive).
Maintain System Health: Monitor resources with Task Manager and keep your system clean.

Conclusion:

We hope this article helped you resolve the Outlook crashing while printing emails. Try them all in at your choice of preference and bring Outlook back to its normal state.

Outlook Crashes When Printing Emails: Definitive Troubleshooting Manual