Fix Outlook Cannot Display Folder Out of Memory

If Outlook shows “Cannot display the folder. Out of memory or system resources,” the fix is to close Outlook, restart it in safe mode, and clear the cached view settings, then repair the data file if the problem persists. This error usually means Outlook’s view cache is corrupted or the system is low on memory, not that your email is lost.

What Causes This Error

Outlook stores a “view” for each folder—column widths, sort order, filters, and grouping. This view is cached in a hidden file. When that cache becomes corrupted, Outlook may fail to render the folder and throw the out-of-memory message. Other common causes include:

Too many add-ins running, consuming memory
A very large folder (tens of thousands of items)
Insufficient RAM or system resources on older computers
A damaged Outlook data file (.pst or .ost)
Conflicts with antivirus or indexing software

How to Fix It: Step-by-Step

Try these fixes in order. Start with the least invasive, then move to more thorough repairs.

Close and restart Outlook. This clears temporary memory. If the error returns, continue.
Start Outlook in safe mode. Press Win + R, type outlook.exe /safe, and press Enter. If the folder opens, an add-in is the culprit. Disable add-ins via File > Options > Add-ins.
Clear the view cache. Close Outlook. In Windows Explorer, navigate to %LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Outlook and delete the file named Outlook.view (or OutlookViews.dat on newer versions). Restart Outlook. This resets all folder views to default.
Run the Inbox Repair Tool. Close Outlook. Go to C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16 (or your Office version path) and run SCANPST.EXE. Point it to your .pst file (usually in %LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Outlook). It will scan and fix errors.
Recreate the .ost file. If you use an IMAP or Exchange account, close Outlook, rename the .ost file (e.g., outlook.ost to outlook_old.ost), then restart Outlook. It will rebuild the offline cache from the server.
Check system memory. Close other programs and ensure you have at least 2 GB free RAM. On Windows, open Task Manager to see memory usage.

Why the View Cache Gets Corrupted

The view cache is a small database that stores how you’ve customized each folder. Every time you change a column, sort, or filter, Outlook writes to this file. If Outlook crashes while writing, or if the file is locked by another process (like a backup or sync tool), it can become corrupted. The error message is misleading—it says “out of memory” because Outlook can’t load the corrupted view into memory properly.

Preventing the Error in the Future

Keep Outlook updated via Microsoft Update.
Disable unnecessary add-ins, especially third-party ones.
Avoid keeping tens of thousands of items in a single folder—archive old emails.
Run SCANPST monthly if you use a .pst file.
Ensure your system has enough RAM (8 GB or more for modern Outlook).
Exclude Outlook data files from antivirus real-time scanning.

What If the Error Persists?

If you’ve tried all the above and the error still appears, the issue may be with your Windows profile or Office installation. Try creating a new Windows user profile and opening Outlook there. If it works, migrate your data. Alternatively, use the Office Repair tool: go to Control Panel > Programs > Microsoft Office > Change > Quick Repair. If that fails, do an Online Repair (which re-downloads Office).

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I lose my emails if I delete the view cache?

No. The view cache only stores display settings, not your actual email data. Deleting it resets your column widths, sort orders, and filters, but your messages remain intact.

Why does the error say “out of memory” when I have plenty of RAM?

Because the error is often a misnomer. The real issue is usually a corrupted view cache or a damaged data file. Outlook’s error messages are generic and don’t always reflect the true cause.

Can I fix this without closing Outlook?

No. You must close Outlook to delete the view cache or run SCANPST. However, you can try switching to another folder (e.g., Inbox) and then back—sometimes that refreshes the view.

Is this error specific to Outlook desktop or does it affect Outlook on the web?

This error is specific to the Outlook desktop client. Outlook on the web (OWA) doesn’t use a local cache, so it won’t show this message.

What is the difference between SCANPST and rebuilding the .ost?

SCANPST repairs the structure of a .pst file (used for POP accounts and archives). Rebuilding the .ost (used for IMAP and Exchange) deletes the local copy and re-downloads from the server. Both can fix corruption, but they address different file types.

Does this error affect all folders or just one?

Often it affects only one folder, which points to a corrupted view for that specific folder. If it affects all folders, the issue is more likely a system resource problem or a damaged data file.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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