If you’re having issues trying to log into your Outlook emails on Google Chrome, do not fret. This simple guide will explain why Outlook isn’t loading and how to fix it in your browser.

Why Is Microsoft Outlook Not Loading in My Web Browser?

One of the main issues with Outlook not loading in Chrome is getting stuck on the loading screen. You’ll see the blue envelope logo animation repeatedly refreshing on your browser screen, yet your inbox never loads.

This animation looping issue can be caused by the following:

Your browser’s cache has a corrupted file and needs to be cleared. You have an ad blocker that is preventing Outlook from loading correctly. You are using an outdated version of Google Chrome. JavaScript has been disabled.

Luckily, all of these issues have easy solutions. We break down how you can fix each issue below.

A Quick Fix for Outlook Not Loading in Chrome

If you’re trying to access Outlook in your browser, and it’s a one-off (i.e. you normally access your email via an app, or if you’re in a rush), then there is a quick fix you can use.

To quickly (but temporarily) fix Outlook when it’s not loading, you can try simply removing the cookies Outlook is using in your browser:

Open Outlook in Chrome (enter your login credentials, if prompted). When you are stuck on the looping envelope animation, click on the padlock next to the URL address. Click on Cookies. Select each item on the list and click Remove to delete each one. Click on Done in the bottom-right corner when you have removed all cookies. Refresh the webpage by clicking the Reload this page button (to the left of the URL bar), or press CTRL + R on your keyboard.

Your Outlook inbox should now load in Chrome.

This is a simple and quick fix to the loading problem, but you’ll have to pay the price of repeating the process every time you visit Outlook’s website. To avoid this issue for good, we recommend finding a complete solution from our five tips below.

1. Restart Your Computer

Whether the issue is on your laptop or desktop computer, it’s worth following this step before trying anything else. Trust us—it might save you some time if you try this first.

2. Clear Your Browser’s Cache

Failing the trusty “turn it on and off again” solution, your browser’s cache might be to blame for the Outlook not loading issue. Every time you visit a webpage, various assets such as images, forms, web scripts, and more are saved to help your browser load more efficiently the next time you visit.

However, the problem with a stored cache is that the stored information can become outdated. This can therefore cause loading problems.

To completely remove the entire cache from Chrome, follow these simple steps:

Click on the three vertical dots icon in the top-right corner of Chrome. Hover your cursor over More tools to open the corresponding menu. Click on Clear browsing data. Click on the Advanced tab to bring up all cache options. In the Time range drop-down menu, select All time. Click in the boxes to add a tick next to the items you want to remove. (We recommend removing Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files here). Click on Clear data in the blue box to delete these items.

You may have to wait a short while whilst your browser deletes these files. Generally, the more files Chrome has to delete, the longer it will take.

Once the process is complete, you should close and reopen Chrome. Reload Outlook’s website to see if the problem has been resolved. Find out more in our guide on how to clear cookies and cache in Chrome.

3. Update Your Browser

Have you checked for any Chrome updates recently? If you see an orange or red notification in the top-right corner of your browser window that says “update”, you likely need to install the latest version of Chrome.

You can also manually check for available browser updates by navigating to the top-right corner of your browser, then click the three vertical dots, then Help, then About Google Chrome.

It’s important to update your browser as newer versions will include security updates, bug fixes, and new features that will ensure you get the best experience. Updating Chrome to the latest available version may fix the problem of Outlook not loading.

4. Disable Your Ad Blocker for Outlook’s Website

If you have an active ad or pop-up blocker extension, then it might be preventing Outlook from loading properly in Chrome. To fix this, you don’t have to disable your ad blocker completely, but you need to make sure it’s not active on Outlook’s website.

To disable your ad or pop-up blocker for Outlook, follow these steps:

In Chrome, click on the puzzle piece icon to the right of the URL bar. Find your ad block extension and click on the three vertical dots to bring up a settings menu. Depending on what ad-blocker you use, there might be an option to click on Pause on this site. Click on this option to stop your ad blocker on Outlook. If Pause on this site does not appear in the menu, click on Options to instead bring up a settings menu. Here, you should be able to add the Outlook website as an exception to your blocked list. It may also be called a whitelist.

Alternatively, you can completely uninstall your ad blocker.

Close and reopen Chrome and Outlook’s website to see if preventing your ad blocker has made a difference.

5. Re-Activate JavaScript for Outlook

JavaScript can be easily disabled within Chrome. Although disabling JavaScript has its benefits, it can also break websites—such as Outlook.

To check if JavaScript is active, or to reactivate it, for Outlook, follow these steps:

Within Chrome, click on the three vertical dots in the top-right corner. Click on Settings. Click on Privacy and security in the left-side menu. Click on Site settings. Under Content, click on JavaScript. Ensure that < > Sites can use JavaScript is selected. Alternatively, add Outlook’s website to Customized behaviors: Allowed to use JavaScript.

Close and reopen Chrome and launch Outlook’s website to see if the loading issue has been resolved.

How to Fix Outlook Not Loading—an Alternative to Chrome

Unfortunately, Chrome is known for having issues, and compatibility with other programs is one of them. If your problem with Outlook not loading was not fixed by the above suggestions, then you may need to use alternative means of accessing your emails.

If you prefer to access Outlook on a desktop, you can try installing a different browser, such as Microsoft Edge. As Microsoft owns and maintains both Edge and Outlook, you shouldn’t run into any compatibility issues.