How to Fix the “Outlook Crashing During AutoDiscover” Issue

Understanding AutoDiscover

AutoDiscover is Outlook’s clever assistant, automating the setup of your email account by fetching critical settings—server addresses, ports, and authentication details—from your email provider’s server.

However, when AutoDiscover encounters an obstacle—be it a corrupted profile, network glitch, server hiccup, or a post-update Outlook crash—it can lead to issues.

Quick Repairs to Fix the “Outlook Crashing at AutoDiscover” Issue

Try the below steps as early fixes to fix Outlook crashing and then proceed to advanced solutions:

1: Launch Outlook in Safe Mode

Safe Mode starts Outlook lean and mean, skipping add-ins and custom settings that might spark crashes.

• Close Outlook completely.
• Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
• Type outlook.exe /safe and press Enter.

• If prompted, select your email profile and click OK.
• Check if Outlook loads without crashing.

Stability in Safe Mode points to add-ins or settings as culprits. Proceed to Step 2. If crashes continue, skip to Step 3.

2: Disable Third-Party Add-Ins

Add-ins bring flair but can clash with AutoDiscover, causing chaos.

• In Safe Mode, go to File > Options > Add-ins.
• Select COM Add-ins from the dropdown and click Go.

• Uncheck all add-ins to disable them, then click OK.

• Close Outlook and relaunch normally (not Safe Mode).
• Test AutoDiscover by accessing your account.

If Outlook runs smoothly, re-enable add-ins one by one, restarting each time, to find the troublemaker. If crashes persist, move to Step 3.

3: Update Outlook and Exchange

Outdated software can trip over modern AutoDiscover protocols, like an old radio missing new signals.

• In Outlook, go to File > Office Account > Update Options > Update Now.

• Install updates and restart Outlook.
• If using Exchange, log in to the Exchange Admin Center.
• Check for server updates via Microsoft’s update channel or Windows Server Update Services.
• Apply patches, restart the server if needed, and test Outlook.

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

Step-by-Step Instructions to Resolve AutoDiscover Outlook Crashes

Below is a detailed, numbered guide to diagnosing and fixing Outlook crashes during AutoDiscover. Work through these sequentially, testing Outlook after each step to confirm success.

1: Create a New Outlook Profile

A corrupted profile can throw AutoDiscover off track. A fresh one often fixes this without touching your emails, safely stored on the server or in a PST file.

• Close Outlook.
• Open Control Panel, navigate to Mail > Show Profiles.
• Click Add, name the new profile, and follow prompts to set up your email account.
• In the Mail window, select the new profile under Always use this profile and click OK.

• Launch Outlook and monitor AutoDiscover.

2: Repair the Email Account

Faulty account settings can confuse AutoDiscover. Repairing them fetches a fresh configuration.

• In Outlook, go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings.
• Select your email account and click Repair.

• Follow the wizard to reconfigure, letting AutoDiscover grab updated settings.
• Restart Outlook and test.

3: Verify Network Connectivity and DNS Records

AutoDiscover needs a clear network path to the server, and incorrect DNS records can block it like a misrouted letter.

• Switch to a wired connection if on Wi-Fi for reliability.
• Open the Command Prompt and type ping autodiscover.yourdomain.com (replace “yourdomain.com” with your email domain. Press Enter to check the server response.
• If the ping fails, flush DNS by typing ipconfig /flushdns in the Command Prompt and pressing Enter.
• Access your domain’s DNS panel.
• Verify that the CNAME record for autodiscover.yourdomain.com points to the correct target.
• If absent or incorrect, create or edit the CNAME and wait for propagation (up to 24 hours).
• Retest Outlook.

4: Repair Outlook’s Installation

Corrupted Outlook files can disrupt AutoDiscover, like a book with missing pages.

• Close Outlook.
• Go to Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features.
• Select Microsoft Office and click Change.
• Choose Quick Repair and follow the prompts. If unsuccessful, try Online Repair.

• Relaunch Outlook and test AutoDiscover.

5: Modify Registry Settings (Advanced)

For tricky cases, tweaking the Windows Registry can bypass faulty AutoDiscover methods, but tread carefully—this isn’t a casual stroll.

• Back up the Registry: Open regedit, click File > Export, and save securely.
• Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\[Version]\Outlook\AutoDiscover (e.g., 16.0 for Outlook 2016+).
• Create a DWORD named ExcludeHttpsAutoDiscoverDomain, set to 1, to prioritize DNS.
• Optionally, add ExcludeScpLookup, set to 1, to skip Active Directory lookups.
• Close regedit, restart Outlook, and test.
• Restore the backup if issues arise.

6: Verify Exchange Server Configuration

For Exchange users, server misconfigurations can derail AutoDiscover, like a misdialed phone number.

• Log into the Exchange Admin Center or Management Shell.
• Run Get-AutodiscoverVirtualDirectory | fl in PowerShell to check settings.
• Confirm InternalUrl and ExternalUrl are autodiscover.yourdomain.com.
• Verify authentication includes Basic, NTLM, or OAuth as required.
• Check SSL certificates for validity.
• Run iisreset after changes.
• Test Outlook from a client machine.

7: Contact Web Service Provider

If third-party email hosts are sending unsteady AutoDiscover responses, it’s time to call in reinforcements.

• Confirm that crashes persist after all previous tries.
• Open Event Viewer (Windows + R, eventvwr) for crash logs.
• Contact your provider’s support, sharing your domain and error details.
• Request they verify https://autodiscover.yourdomain.com/Autodiscover/Autodiscover.xml.
• Test Outlook after their fix.

Note: If your system faces severe issues—like hardware failure or widespread corruption—seek a professional IT service. Most cases, however, yield to the steps below.

Pro Tip: Back Up Your Outlook Data

Before diving deeper, safeguard your emails with a quick backup, like tucking treasures in a safe.

• Go to File > Open & Export > Import/Export.
• Select Export to a file > Outlook Data File (.pst).

• Choose folders to back up and save to an external drive.
• Click Finish to secure the file.

This keeps your data safe, letting you troubleshoot worry-free.

Addressing AutoDiscover Across Platforms

1:Windows Systems

Windows is Outlook’s main stage, and the steps above shine here. For repairs:

• Open Outlook as administrator to ensure permissions.
• Follow relevant steps (e.g., Safe Mode, DNS checks).

2: macOS Systems

On macOS, AutoDiscover works similarly but looks different:

• Hold Option while launching Outlook for Safe Mode.
• Manage profiles via Outlook > Preferences > Accounts.
• Reinstall Office from the Mac App Store if needed.
• Test AutoDiscover, checking DNS settings for network issues.

3: Microsoft 365 (Cloud-Based)

• For Microsoft 365, AutoDiscover leans on Microsoft’s servers:
• Verify subscription status via File > Office Account.
• Check Microsoft’s Service Health Dashboard for outages.
• Wait out server issues if confirmed, then retest.

Also Read: Fixing the “Outlook Crashing When Used with Microsoft 365” Issue

Conclusion

This guide is a detailed handbook to fix Outlook’s AutoDiscover crashes. With clear steps, you’ll likely have your Outlook back to its glory. From simple profile fixes to advanced server tweaks, you’ve got tools for every scenario.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How Can I Prevent Future Outlook Crashes?

Keep crashes at bay with these:

• Update Office regularly via File > Office Account > Update Options.
• Use minimal, compatible add-ins.
• Back up PST files to an external drive or cloud (e.g., OneDrive).
• Stick to a stable, wired connection for AutoDiscover.

Q2. When Should I Seek Professional Help?

Seek professional help when:

• Crashes persist after all steps.
• Server issues (e.g., Exchange, third-party) are suspected.
• Your system shows malware or hardware woes.
• Microsoft’s support site is great for home users.

Q3. How Does AutoDiscover Differ from Manual Setup?

AutoDiscover automates server settings, saving time. Manual setup requires:

• Entering server addresses.
• Specifying ports and protocols.
• Inputting credentials manually.