How to Fix “Hyperlinks are not working in New Outlook” Error?
Hyperlinks are embedded in emails to redirect users to external webpages, documents, or resources. However, some Outlook users have reported a frustrating issue where clicking on a hyperlink results in no action, or worse, an error message. The “Hyperlinks are not working in New Outlook” problem has been a recurring complaint for many, particularly after the introduction of the new Outlook interface.
Outlook is one of the most widely used email platforms, but like any other software, it can sometimes have glitches that cause certain features not to work properly. One such issue that many users have encountered is when hyperlinks in emails fail to work. If you’ve recently upgraded to the new version of Outlook and noticed that hyperlinks aren’t working as expected, don’t worry, this is a common issue that can be fixed with a few troubleshooting steps.
Causes Behind the Hyperlinks Not Working in New Outlook
Default Browser Configuration: If your default browser is not set correctly, Outlook might fail to open the hyperlinks. This is one of the most common reasons behind the error.
Security Software Conflicts: Antivirus or security software may block or interfere with the opening of hyperlinks, thinking they are a potential threat.
Internet Explorer Settings: Even though it’s not widely used anymore, Outlook still relies on Internet Explorer’s settings to open certain links. Misconfigurations in IE can lead to the hyperlinks not working.
Outlook or Office Corruption: A corrupt Office installation or Outlook profile may prevent hyperlinks from functioning properly.
Outdated Outlook Version: Using an outdated version of Outlook or Windows can sometimes cause certain bugs and issues, including problems with hyperlinks.
Broken File Associations: Sometimes, file association problems with URLs can prevent Outlook from correctly opening links in your preferred browser.
Methods to Fix Hyperlinks Not Working in New Outlook
If you’re facing issues with hyperlinks not working in Outlook, here are several methods you can try to fix the problem:
#1. Set the Correct Default Web Browser
Using Internet Explorer as your primary browser could be the reason why hyperlinks in New Outlook aren’t working. This is because, following the release of Edge, Microsoft stopped supporting Internet Explorer. You can switch to Chrome, Edge, or Mozilla Firefox as your default browser to fix the problem. To accomplish this, take these actions:
- To open the Outlook Options window, launch Outlook and select File > Options.
- Choose Advanced from this box, then pick File and Browser Preferences.
You can choose a different browser from the “Open hyperlinks from Outlook in:” dropdown menu in the File and browser preferences dialog box to modify the default browser.
After that, check to see if the hyperlinks are opening by restarting Outlook.
#2. Correctly Set Your Email Settings
It is possible that the hyperlinks are not opening because your email settings are set up incorrectly. To fix the problem, you can set up the email settings to permit hyperlinks by following the instructions listed below:
- Launch Outlook, then select File > Options.
- In the Outlook Options window, choose Trust Center and then Trust Center Settings.
- In the Trust Center Settings, uncheck the “Don’t download pictures automatically in HTML e-mail” box under Automatic Download, then click OK.
#3. Check Your Browser Settings
In some cases, your system’s default browser may prevent a hyperlink from opening when you click on it in an email. The pop-up blocker or a similar item in your browser’s settings is typically engaged when this happens. To ensure that the browser is not the cause of this problem, you can disable pop-ups in your browser. See how we can do it:
Note – We’re using Google Chrome as an example here.
- Open Google Chrome, choose Settings from the dropdown menu by clicking the three dots in the top-right corner of the screen.
- Choose Site Settings under Privacy and Security under Settings.
- Choose Sites can send pop-ups and redirects under Pop-ups and Redirects in Site Settings.
Similarly, Microsoft Edge and Mozilla Firefox allow you to change the pop-up settings.
#4. Check and Disable Any Suspicious Browser Extensions.
Additionally, some browser extensions may make it impossible for the hyperlinks to open. You can fix this issue by disabling each browser extension individually to determine which one is the source. The steps for Google Chrome are as follows:
- Open Chrome, select Settings by clicking the three dots in the top-right corner of the screen.
- From the left-hand navigation bar in Chrome Settings, choose Extensions.
- All of the Chrome extensions you have installed are visible in the Extensions window. Here, the toggle switch beneath each extension allows you to turn them on and off.
- Now, disable an extension, restart Chrome, and check to see if it fixes the problem. Repeat these steps for each extension to determine which extension prevents the hyperlink from opening external links.
- Once the faulty extension has been located, click Remove to permanently remove it.
#5. Fix or Reinstall Microsoft Office or Outlook
A number of issues with Outlook may also arise from damage or corruption in the MS Office installation files, which may stop the hyperlinks from opening. If so, you can utilize Microsoft Office’s built-in repair feature. This is how:
- Go to the search dialog box, type “control,” then click OK to open the Control Panel.
- After choosing the Programs option in the Control Panel, the Programs and Features will open. A list of your computer’s installed programs will then show up.
- Click on the Microsoft Office application in the list, then select Change with a right-click.
- Click Proceed after selecting the Repair option in this box. Follow the on-screen directions in the resulting window to finish the repair procedure.
You can remove the Office application by choosing the Remove option from the menu above if the error still occurs after fixing it. The Office Deployment Tool can be used to reinstall Microsoft Office.
Pro Solution – If you’re dealing with hyperlinks not working in Outlook, the issue could be tied to corrupt OST files or synchronization problems. CubexSoft OST Converter software offers a straightforward solution to repair and convert OST files to PST or other formats, which can restore the functionality of hyperlinks in your emails.
The Concluding Lines!
Fixing the Outlook hyperlinks that don’t work problem is crucial for efficient communication. Older browsers, improper email settings, troublesome extensions, and corrupted Microsoft Office installation files are some of the typical causes of this issue, as was previously noted. Check your default browser and, if necessary, your email or browser settings. Disabling the extensions will help you find conflicts. The program can be repaired or reinstalled if there are issues with the MS Office installation files.
