How to fix Outlook error Sorry we’re having trouble opening this item − Windows, Mac OS

Perhaps the view setting of Outlook is the reason behind this issue. In this case, resetting Outlook’s view settings can help you fix the Sorry we’re having trouble opening this item Outlook error.

To reset the view, feel free to follow the steps below:

1. Press the Windows and R buttons on the keyboard;
2. Type Outlook.exe  /cleanviews in the Run window that will appear and click on OK;
3. Wait for the process to finish;
4. Press the Windows and R buttons on the keyboard;
5. Type Outlook.exe  /resetnavpane and click on OK;
6. Restart the computer and open Outlook again.

By restarting your computer, you will restart all the processes that were running on it, one of which may have been stuck and that has been preventing Outlook from functioning properly. Turn off your computer and turn it back on after a minute or two. You can also consider unplugging it from the power cord, or removing its battery (if you use a laptop).

It is possible that the Outlook profile has been damaged, resulting in the Sorry we’re having trouble opening this item Outlook error. If the Outlook profile has been damaged, you can fix it using the Repair feature. To fix it, feel free to follow the steps below:

1. Go to the Control Panel and click on Mail;
2. Click on E-mail Accounts and then on the E-mail tab;
3. Click on your account, and then on Repair;
4. Follow the on-screen instructions;
5. Click on Finish;
6. Restart Outlook once the repair has been done.

For Outlook to be able to open emails and attachments properly, it needs a stable Internet connection. Make sure that your Internet connection is strong and stable. If you are far away from a router, get closer to it. You may also buy a stronger router, or connect your computer directly to the router, using an Ethernet cable, switch to a better Internet plan, and more.

It is possible that an Outlook Add-in prevents Outlook from functioning as expected. If this is the case, you need to uninstall the Add-in. In order to be able to identify which Add-in might be the reason behind the issue, you need to disable all the Add-Ins one by one, restart Outlook and check if the Sorry we’re having trouble opening this item error message will appear.

To disable Add-Ins, follow the steps below:

1. Go to File > Options > Add-Ins, or File > Manage Add-ins/Manage Apps, depending on the Outlook version
2. Select the Add-Ins you wish to disable, or untick the check boxes next to them;
3. Restart Outlook and test syncing;
4. Repeat the previous steps for every Add-in.
   
   

Once you have identified an Add-in, remove it, by clicking on the Add-in and the Remove button.

Updating Outlook to the latest version available is a must, so that you can keep your data protected, eliminate bugs present in the previous Outlook versions and more. To install the latest update, feel free to follow the below-mentioned steps:

1. Open the Outlook app;
2. Click on Help and then on Check for Updates;
3. Click on Automatically Download and Install, under How would you like updates to be installed?
4. Click on Check for Updates.
   
   

Note: You may also update Outlook via App Store, by opening the App Store app, clicking on Updates and then on the Update button next to Outlook.

Make sure to always install the latest Outlook updates, as they are meant to keep your data safer than before, eliminate bugs present in the previous versions and more.

To update Outlook to the latest version, feel free to follow the steps below:

If you use Office 2010: File > Help > Check for Updates;
If you use Office 2013: File > Account (or Office Account) > click on Update Options, under Product Information > click on Enable Updates and then on Update Now;
If you use Office 2016 and newer: File > Account (or Office Account) > click on Update Options, under Product Information > click on Update Now;

The current firewall and antivirus settings on your computer might be interfering with how Outlook works. To verify this, try disabling them and check if the issue persists. If there were no issues, access the firewall and the antivirus and look into how they are configured.

To deactivate the Windows Firewall, you can follow the instructions below:

To activate the Windows Firewall, feel free to follow the steps below:

Note: Make sure to reactivate the Windows Firewall after your investigation, because the firewall protects your computer from threats.

It is possible that the current antivirus settings interfere with how Outlook works. To verify this, try disabling the antivirus protection temporarily and check if the issue persists. If there were no issues, open the antivirus settings and look into how it is configured.

The Outlook's support team are well aware of how to tackle many issues, easily, therefore, feel free to contact them online via Outlook.com, let them know of the issue (Sorry we’re having trouble opening this item), sharing as many details as possible, and they will guide you on how to address it.

If none of the other solutions worked, you may need to uninstall Outlook and install it back again. By reinstalling Outlook, you will remove corrupt files and restore Outlook to the default settings and environment.

Feel free to check the don't know how to uninstall a program / an application guide, if you are not sure how to uninstall programs safely.