How to Resolve Cannot Open This Item in Outlook Error

Microsoft Outlook is the popular desktop-based email client. But, still, it is not free from all type of errors. There are several issues that create a lot of trouble for the Outlook users. Among all, one of the most irritating issues is when a user sends an email and it gets stuck in Outbox folder. The result of such error is that a user is not able to open, send, and delete it. This email will simply stay in the Outbox and deny to go anywhere. Moreover, it becomes really hard to resolve. And, when a user tries to open or send that email again, it starts displaying the following error:

“Cannot open this item. Outlook has already begun transmitting this message”

Some of the possible reasons behind emails get stuck in Outbox are large size email, unreliable internet connection, or due to some internal problem in the email itself, etc. However, in the case of any problem, there is always some solution that a user can use to resolve it. Thus, in the below segment of the post, we have discussed a various possible solution to resolve cannot open this item in Outlook 2010 error.

Different Approaches to Resolve Cannot open this item in Outlook Error

Approach 1: Try to open the email & delete it

  • Open Microsoft Outlook application on the system
  • After that, click on the Outbox folder
  • Then, double-click on the email and open it. If it denies to open, then denies the step and move forward to the next step. And, if it open successfully without any hassle, then close the application
  • Simply, right-click on that particular email and click on the Delete from the context menu

Approach 2: Resolve Issue in Offline Mode

If approach 1 is unable to resolve cannot open this item in Outlook 2007, 2010 error, then switch to Offline mode to fix it. To do the same, follow the steps mentioned below:

  • For Outlook 2007 and below versions: Navigate to File >> Work Offline option
  • For Outlook 2010 & above versions: Click on Send / Receive tab >> Work Offline option

After that, try to delete that particular email and for that follow the steps 2 to 4 of approach 1.

Approach 3: Solve the Issue in Safe Mode

Another possible way to resolve cannot open this item in Outlook 2010 error is in the Safe Mode. Moreover, to do the same, follow the steps mentioned below:

  • First of all, hold the Ctrl key and double-click on the shortcut to Microsoft Outlook or you can click on the Outlook from the Taskbar or from the Start Menu to open it
  • You need to hold the Ctrl key until you will be asked whether you want to start the Outlook in Safe Mode or not. As the dialog box appear, release the Ctrl key and click on the Yes option
  • After that, you can try to delete that message by following the steps 2 to 4 from approach 1.

Approach 4: Create a new PST file and delete the email

If any of the method does not work perfectly to delete the email, which is stuck in Outbox, then a user can create a new PST file to do the same. To do the same, follow the steps below:

  • For Microsoft Outlook 2007 and below version : Go to File tab >> New >> Outlook Data File….
  • For Outlook 2010 & above versions: Navigate to File tab >> Account Settings >> Account Settings.. >> Data Files tab >> Add…. option
  • Here, you need to provide a new name to the Outlook data file such as New PST and click on the OK button
  • Then, you need to click on the newly created PST file and then, click on the Set as Default option to make default data file
  • Now, click on the OK button
  • Next, you need to restart the Outlook. You can see that the data of original PST file is now displayed in the Outlook as an extra set of folders
  • Go to the secondary Outbox folder (other than from the original one). Here, delete the stuck email from permanently
  • After that, you can again set your original PST as your default Outlook data file. Moreover, depending upon your choice, you can delete the New PST file that you have created in step 3
  • In last, you can restart the Outlook and use it in normal way as before.

Approach 5: Automated Approach to Resolve the Error

If all manual approaches fail to fix cannot open this item in Outlook error, then it might be possible that there is a corruption in Outlook data file. Therefore, to resolve this issue a user is advised to use Outlook recovery tool. It removes all type of corruption from PST file and recovers all data items in it. After receiving a healthy PST file, a user can easily delete emails from Outbox folder manually.

Conclusion

Any error in Outlook can create a lot of trouble for the user as it affects the normal functioning of Outlook. Cannot open this item in Outlook is also one such type of error that creates a problem for the users. This error does not allow users to read or send emails through Outlook. Therefore, in this post, we have discussed all possible solution to fix this error that a user can use without any hassle.