How to Fix Outlook Hyperlinks Not Working in Windows 10 and 11

• May 15, 2023
• Written by:
• James
• Reading Time: 8 minutes

Introduction

When hyperlinks stop working in Microsoft Outlook, it can be frustrating and hinder your productivity. This issue commonly occurs in Windows 10 and 11 due to various factors, such as incorrect settings, browser conflicts, or broken file associations. However, there are several effective troubleshooting steps you can take to resolve this problem and regain the functionality of hyperlinks in Outlook. In this guide, we will provide a step-by-step approach to fix Outlook hyperlinks not working on Windows 10 and 11.

Set Default Browser

Ensure that you have set a default web browser in your Windows operating system. Open the “Settings” app, navigate to “Apps” or “Apps & Default Apps,“ and select the “Default apps” option. Locate the “Web browser” section and choose your preferred browser as the default. This step is crucial as Outlook relies on the default browser settings to open hyperlinks. Setting the correct default browser can resolve issues where Outlook fails to launch links.

Check File Associations

Confirm that the file associations for HTTP and HTTPS protocols are correctly set. Go to the “Settings” app and select “Apps” or “Apps & Default Apps.“ Click on “Default apps” and choose “Choose default apps by protocol.” Look for “HTTP” and “HTTPS” in the list and ensure that the correct browser is associated with these protocols. If not, select the appropriate browser and set it as the default for these protocols.

Clear Browser Cache and Reset Settings

If you’re experiencing hyperlink issues with a specific browser, try clearing its cache and resetting its settings. Open the browser, access its settings or preferences menu, and look for options related to cache clearing and resetting. Clear the cache and reset the browser to its default settings. Relaunch the browser and test if hyperlinks now work in Outlook. This step can resolve conflicts or glitches within the browser that might be causing hyperlink malfunction.

Repair Office Installation

A corrupted installation of Microsoft Office can lead to hyperlink problems in Outlook. To repair the Office installation, open the “Settings” app and go to “Apps” or “Apps & Default Apps.” Locate “Microsoft 365” or “Office” in the list of installed apps, click on it, and select “Modify” or “Repair.” Follow the on-screen prompts to initiate the repair process. Once the repair is complete, restart your computer and check if the hyperlink functionality is restored in Outlook.

Reset Internet Explorer Settings

Resetting Internet Explorer settings can help resolve hyperlink issues, as Outlook relies on certain components of Internet Explorer to handle links. Open Internet Explorer and go to its settings. Look for the “Reset” or “Reset Internet Explorer settings” option. Follow the instructions to reset the browser to its default settings. Restart your computer and check if hyperlinks in Outlook are now working as expected. Note that even if you don’t use Internet Explorer as your default browser, this step can still be effective.

Run Outlook in Safe Mode

Running Outlook in Safe Mode allows you to troubleshoot issues caused by add-ins or customization. Close Outlook and press the “Windows” key + “R” to open the Run dialog box. Type “outlook.exe /safe” (without quotes) and hit Enter. If hyperlinks work fine in Safe Mode, it indicates that an add-in or customization may be causing the hyperlink problem. Disable any recently installed or suspicious add-ins and remove any unwanted customizations. Restart Outlook normally and check if the hyperlinks now function correctly.

Create a New Outlook Profile

A corrupted Outlook profile can also lead to hyperlink issues. Creating a new profile can help resolve this problem. Open the Control Panel and search for “Mail” or “Mail (Microsoft Outlook)” in the search bar. Select “Mail (Microsoft Outlook)” from the results. In the Mail Setup window, click on “Show Profiles” and then “Add” to create a new profile. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your email account in the new profile. Launch Outlook with the new profile and check if the hyperlinks are working.

Update or Reinstall Browser

If the hyperlink problem persists, ensure that you have the latest version of your browser installed. Visit the official website of the browser and download the latest version if available. Install the update and restart your computer. If the issue persists, consider reinstalling the browser completely. Uninstall the existing browser from your system, download the latest version, and install it. Launch Outlook and test the hyperlinks.

Conclusion

Hyperlink issues in Microsoft Outlook can be frustrating, but by following the troubleshooting steps outlined in this guide, you should be able to resolve the problem. From setting the default browser to repairing Office installation and creating a new Outlook profile, these steps cover various possible causes and solutions. Regaining the functionality of hyperlinks in Outlook will ensure a smooth and efficient email experience.

Written By

James

My name is David Wayne, and I work as a technical support specialist for the online industry. In the last 7 years, I have fixed a variety of email issues, such as Outlook server errors, Outlook send receive errors, Outlook working offline problems and etc. So if you are facing these types of problems, please do not hesitate to contact us without any hesitation.