Outlook fix - Outlook for Android app
Outlook app keeps crashing on Android
If the Outlook app keeps crashing on your Android phone - closing the moment it opens, or freezing when you tap an email - a common cause is an out-of-date Android System WebView (and Chrome). Updating both from the Play Store is Microsoft's own first fix and often sorts it in minutes. Below are all the steps, in order, from the quickest fix to the last resort.
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Why the Outlook app crashes on Android
The Outlook app on Android quietly relies on a system component called Android System WebView (and, closely related, Google Chrome) to display parts of your email and sign-in pages. When those components are out of date - or a phone update leaves them out of step with Outlook - the app can crash on launch, when you open a message, or when it refreshes. Microsoft themselves name updating Android System WebView and Chrome as the first fix for Outlook crashing on Android, and have linked recent waves of this to a WebView update.
Other common triggers are a corrupt app cache, aggressive battery optimisation shutting Outlook down in the background, or a single problem email account upsetting the app. None of these mean your email is lost - it's all safely on the server and re-downloads once the app is behaving.
These steps are for the Outlook Android app. If you're on an iPhone or iPad the causes are similar, but the menus differ - the Play Store and battery-optimisation steps below are Android-specific.
// ANDROID AND WINDOWS, NOT APPLE
We do not support Outlook on iPhones or iPads. Apple does not allow our remote-support tool to take control of them (an Apple restriction), so we cannot fix it for you from here. On an iPhone or iPad, Microsoft’s own Outlook help is the place to start.
// FIX IT WITH ME · STEP BY STEP
Fix it with me, one step at a time
The steps from this guide, one at a time, in the order that fixes the most cases fastest. Tell it what happened and it shows the next step. Nothing here leaves your device.Last reviewed 29 September 2026
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01Update Android System WebView and Chrome
Open the Play Store, search for Android System WebView and tap Update, then do the same for Google Chrome. Also update the Outlook app if an update is shown, then reopen Outlook.
Is it working now? -
02Force stop Outlook and clear its cache
Go to Settings > Apps > Outlook, tap Force stop, then Storage > Clear cache. This removes only temporary files, not your email or accounts.
Is it working now? -
03Turn off battery optimisation for Outlook
Go to Settings > Apps > Outlook > Battery and set it to Unrestricted (or turn battery optimisation off) with Allow background activity on, so Android stops closing Outlook in the background.
Is it working now? -
04Remove and re-add a problem account
If only one account crashes Outlook, open Outlook Settings, select that account and Delete account, then add it back. Your mail re-downloads from the server.
Is it working now? -
05Reinstall Outlook as a last resort
Uninstall Outlook, restart the phone, then reinstall from the Play Store and sign in again. Your email reloads from the server.
Is it working now?
Sorted{mins}. Nice work.
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Still not working after all five steps? Ring us and we sort it together.
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Outlook app keeps crashing on Android - the fix order (365techies.co.uk/outlook-app-crashing-android/) 1. Update Android System WebView and Chrome: Open the Play Store, search for Android System WebView and tap Update, then do the same for Google Chrome. Also update the Outlook app if an update is shown, then reopen Outlook. 2. Force stop Outlook and clear its cache: Go to Settings > Apps > Outlook, tap Force stop, then Storage > Clear cache. This removes only temporary files, not your email or accounts. 3. Turn off battery optimisation for Outlook: Go to Settings > Apps > Outlook > Battery and set it to Unrestricted (or turn battery optimisation off) with Allow background activity on, so Android stops closing Outlook in the background. 4. Remove and re-add a problem account: If only one account crashes Outlook, open Outlook Settings, select that account and Delete account, then add it back. Your mail re-downloads from the server. 5. Reinstall Outlook as a last resort: Uninstall Outlook, restart the phone, then reinstall from the Play Store and sign in again. Your email reloads from the server. Stuck? 365 Techies email support: 01202 775566 - https://365techies.co.uk/email-support/// NEED THIS FIXED RIGHT NOW?
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The fix
How to stop Outlook crashing on Android - step by step
Try these in order. Often the first step fixes it on its own.
- Update Android System WebView and Chrome. Open the Play Store, search for Android System WebView and tap Update if it's offered. Then search for Google Chrome and tap Update too. Once both are done, fully close Outlook and reopen it. (While you're there, also update the Outlook app itself if an update is showing.)
- Force stop Outlook and clear its cache. Go to Settings > Apps > Outlook, tap Force stop, then tap Storage and choose Clear cache. Clearing the cache is safe - it removes temporary files only, not your accounts or email. Reopen Outlook and test. (Avoid Clear storage / Clear data unless nothing else works, as that signs you out and removes local settings - though even then your actual mail stays safe on the server.)
- Turn off battery optimisation for Outlook. Go to Settings > Apps > Outlook > Battery (wording varies by phone - it may be App battery usage or Battery optimisation) and set it to Unrestricted / turn optimisation off, and make sure Allow background activity is on. This stops Android killing Outlook in the background, which can look like a crash.
- If only one account crashes it, remove and re-add that account. In Outlook tap your profile picture > the gear/Settings, choose the account that's causing trouble, and tap Delete account - then add it back with Add account. Your email re-downloads from the server, so nothing is lost.
- Reinstall as a last resort. Uninstall Outlook, restart your phone, then reinstall it from the Play Store and sign back in. This clears any deeper corruption. Your mail reloads from the server once you're signed in.
If any of that feels fiddly on a small screen, give us a ring - we're happy to talk you through it, or check the same email on your PC.
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// GOOD QUESTIONS
Frequently asked
Why does the Outlook app keep crashing on my Android phone all of a sudden?
A common reason is an out-of-date Android System WebView (or Chrome), sometimes triggered by a recent phone update. Outlook uses WebView to display parts of the app, so when it's outdated the app crashes on launch or when opening mail. Updating both Android System WebView and Chrome from the Play Store is Microsoft's own first fix.
Will clearing Outlook's cache delete my emails on Android?
No. Clearing the cache (Settings > Apps > Outlook > Storage > Clear cache) only removes temporary files, and your email re-downloads from the server. Be careful not to tap Clear storage or Clear data unless nothing else works, because that does sign you out and remove local settings - though even then your actual email stays safe on the server.
What is Android System WebView and why does it affect Outlook?
Android System WebView is a built-in Android component that lets apps show web-based content without opening a full browser. Outlook uses it for parts of its interface and sign-in. If WebView is out of date or has a fault after a phone update, Outlook can crash - which is why updating WebView (and Chrome) from the Play Store usually fixes it, and is the step Microsoft lists first.
Outlook crashes only when I open one particular email account - what should I do?
That points to one account, not the whole app. In Outlook, go to your profile picture > Settings, select the problem account and tap Delete account, then add it back with Add account. Your mail re-downloads from the server, so nothing is lost, and it clears whatever local glitch was affecting that one account.
Does this apply to iPhone too?
The Outlook app on iPhone can crash for similar reasons, but iOS doesn't use Android System WebView and its menus differ. The Play Store, battery-optimisation and Android cache steps here are Android-specific. On iPhone, start by updating the Outlook app in the App Store and updating iOS. If you're unsure which device you're on, we're happy to help - just call.
Can you help fix Outlook crashing on Android remotely?
We can absolutely help - we can often guide you through Android fixes over the phone in a few minutes, since it's your handset. If your email is also on a Windows PC, we can connect to that with Splashtop SOS (you watch throughout, we phone first) and make sure everything is syncing. Same-day across Dorset - call 01202 775566.
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Outlook still crashing on your phone?
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