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Outlook Your Attachments are being Processed this Should Only Take a Few Moments

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Written By
Nick Rogers
Published On
July 11th, 2025
Reading Time
8 Minutes Reading
If errors appear on your Outlook “Your attachments are being processed Outlook Error” then you’re not alone. This delay usually appears when you are trying to send, open or preview attachments, especially files like PDF’s, Word documents, or Excel Sheets.

This message often appears in both Outlook desktop app and Outlook Web App and it can frustrate users when you need it quickly. This means Outlook is scanning or preparing your file before sending or downloading it. This process include:

  • Scanning for viruses.
  • Preview attachments using WebView2 or inbuilt viewers.
  • Upload or sync with cloud storage(like OneDrive or SharePoint).
  • Security checks by Microsoft Defender or Third-party antivirus software.

Causes of Attachment are Being Processed Outlook

  • Overlarge file or cloud-linked attachments can take time to load especially with slow connectivity or sync issues.
  • Outlook may block attachment due to antivirus scan, restricted file type or due to security reasons.
  • Outlook mail fails to load attachment due to broken preview or WebView2 settings.

Professional Approach to Fix Outlook Attachment are Being Processed Error

If you want to download attachments from Outlook or have batch Outlook files then we recommend you to choose 4n6 Outlook Attachment Extractor is the prime choice as it can easily view all Outlook data and also offers to select attachments you want to export.

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Steps to Your Attachments are Being Processed Outlook Error Fixed

  1. First, Download and run Recommended Tool on your machine.
    Your Attachments are Being Processed Outlook Error Fixer
  2. Then, Click on the configured Outlook data file or choose from a folder.
    Select Configure Outlook file
  3. Thereafter, Select Outlook mailbox folders as you want to download attachments.
    Select Outlook folder
  4. After that, Choose Extract and click on Attachments.
    Click on Extract attachments
  5. Here, Select location by clicking on browse button and hit on Save button to successfully fix Outlook Attachment are being processed.
    Choose destination

Helpful Features of Automated Approach

  • This software can extract attachment from OST, PST, NST, BAK and ZDB files.
  • It allows you to extract all types of attachments such as DOC, DOCX, PDF, or Image format.
  • You can easily extract attachments from Outlook folders such as inbox, sent, deleted items and all Outlook folders.
  • With this wizard, you can directly detect configured Outlook files without facing any limitations.
  • It offers you to extract attachment from individual or batch Outlook profiles without facing any limitations.

Native Fixes for Attachment Processing Errors

Method 1. Disable COM add-ins, especially antivirus plugins

  1. Now, Open Outlook and navigate to the file.
    Click on file
  2. Here, Click on options and choose Add-ins in the list.
    Click on Add-ins
  3. Next, Select COM Add-ins and press Go.
    Press Go button
  4. Now, uncheck faulty add-ins and press Ok to modify changes.
    Uncheck suspicious add-ins

Method 2. Disable Attachment Preview in Trust Center

  1. Firstly, Run Outlook and click on file then tap on Options.
    Click on options
  2. Then, Press on Trust Center and click on Trust Center Settings.
  3. Here, Select Attachment Handling and check the box for Turn off attachment Preview.
  4. Now, Click OK and relaunch Outlook.
    Open Outlook

Method 3. Clear cache files

  1. Close Outlook completely.
  2. Thereafter, Press Win+R to open the Run Window.
  3. Here, Type: %localappdata%\Microsoft\Outlook\RoamCache.
  4. Next, Press Enter and delete all files stored inside RoamCache.
  5. Then, Hit Enter and delete all files inside the RoamCache folder.
  6. Now, Relaunch Outlook.
    Open Outlook

Additional Troubleshooting Steps

Solution 1. Update Outlook and Repair Installation
  1. Run Outlook and navigate to the file.
    Click on file
  2. Click on Office Account and hit on Update options.
    Click on Office Account
  3. Press on Update Now and after update close Outlook.
    Click on Update Now
  4. Open the Control Panel and click on Programs and Features.
    Open Control Panel
  5. Find Microsoft Office, right-click on it and choose Change.
  6. Select Quick Repair and follow the prompts.
Solution 2. Reset or Recreate Outlook Profile
  1. Close Outlook.
  2. Here, Open the Control Panel and click on Mail(Microsoft Outlook).
    Open Control Panel
  3. After that, Tap on Show Profiles and click on Add to name the new profile.
    Click on Show Profiles
  4. Here, Choose Prompt for profile to be used then open Outlook using new one.
    Open Outlook using new one
  5. Then, If issues are not solved, then set a new profile and delete the old one as needed.
Solution 3. Verify File Association
  1. Now, Open Settings and click on Apps and select default apps.
    Click on Apps
  2. Then, Scroll down and choose the default app for a specific file type.
  3. Next, Find file type as you wish to open and verify you’re set correct app to open it.
  4. Finally, Relaunch Outlook and retry to open Attachment again.
Resolving Web-Based or OWA Attachment Issues
Approach 1. Clear Browser Cache or Cookies
  1. First, Open your browser(e.g.,Chrome, Edge).
  2. Now, Press Ctrl+Shift+Delete to open clear browsing data windows.
  3. After that, Select Cached Image and files and tap on Cookies.
  4. Then, Set the time range to All time.
  5. Here, Click on Clear data.
  6. Finally, Close and reopen Outlook Web App then try to reopen attachment again.
    Reopen Outlook
Approach 2. Refresh WebView2/OWA Sync Settings
  1. Close Outlook completely and tap on Win+R.
  2. Type: C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Edge\User Data\EdgeWebView
  3. Delete User Data folder and relaunch Outlook it will create WebView2 cache automatically.

Steps (For OWA)

  1. Firstly, Sign out of Outlook Web App.
  2. Here, Clear cookies and cache as shown above.
  3. After that, Log back and retry download attachment from Outlook.com.
When to Use Advanced Repair Tools
Technique 1. Use Inbox Repair Tool
  1. Close Outlook and Navigate to: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\SCANPST.exe
    Launch Outlook Inbox Repair Tool
  2. Next, Click on browse to select Outlook files.
    Choose Outlook files
  3. After that, Check on Make backup of scanned file before repairing.
  4. Finally, Press on the Repair button.
    Outlook files repair successfully
Technique 2. Consider Automated PST/OST Repair Utilities

If Outlook Inbox Repair Tool doesn’t work and meet your expectations. So, we recommend you to choose 4n6 Outlook Recovery as this software can easily handle damaged, inaccessible, encrypted OST/PST files without facing any limitations.

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  1. Firstly, Download and run Recommended Software on your system.
    Launch Outlook Recovery
  2. Then, Click on open and select Outlook files as you want to repair.
    Click on open
  3. Now, Choose the Outlook mailbox folder as you want to repair.
    Select Outlook mailbox folder
  4. After that, Browse the PST file in the list of Export options.
    Select PST file
  5. Finally, Locate destination and press Save button.
    Select location
Preventing Outlook Attachment Processing Errors
  • Always use updated Outlook, antivirus, and WebView2 to avoid compatibility or security-related issues.
  • Clean Outlook Roam Cache folder and disable faulty add-ins to keep using Outlook smoothly.
  • Check the default app to open the attachment and verify you’re selected the correct app to open a specific file type.
Helpful Questions

How do I Fix Attachment Issues in Outlook?

Clean Outlook Roamcache folder, disable add-ins, update Outlook. Check if attachments are blocked by Antivirus or security settings. Try to use supported file types and check the correct app as selected.

How do I Fix Outlook Stuck in Processing?

Disable COM Add-ins, especially Antivirus plugins. Clear RoamCache, update Outlook and use Quick Repair from the Control Panel. If needed, it creates a new Outlook profile or reset WebView2 cache for smoother performance.

Why is my Outlook not Allowing Me to Attach Files?

Outlook does not allow you to attach files due to unsupported file type, facing size limit or blocked by security settings. Try to use a web version, compress large files and check no group policies or antivirus interfering with the process.

How to Fix Attachments Not Showing in Outlook?

Check if Protected View or Attachment Preview is blocking to load the attachment file. Clear Outlook cache file and verify default apps and disable Trustcenter preview. Also try to update Outlook and repair Outlook files.

Wrap Up

Let’s sum up the tutorial. We’ve shared all the crucial information needed to fix the “Your Attachments Are Being Processed” Outlook error. We have shared common causes and also shared both Outlook inbuilt and Alternative Approach. If the manual approach doesn’t work then it could mean your Outlook files are damaged or Outlook itself isn’t functioning properly. In this situation, we recommend you to choose Automated Approach as it offers fully maintained results and no risk of losing any information.