Avast won't let me open Outlook?

Hi all, hoping someone can help me with this problem (apologies if this is in the incorrect forum).

I have the free Avast version 2015.10.2.2218 running on Windows 8.1. This morning I’ve tried opening Microsoft Outlook (Office 365) but all I’m getting is the following load screen:

http://i.imgur.com/P6jfb3i.png

with the message “Contacting: http://static.avast.com/emails/avast-mail-stamp.png

Can anyone offer a solution to this problem?

Thanks

if you right click avast tray icon and pause shields, does it work then?

That didn’t no.

I’ve since done the good ol’ turn the machine off then back on again, and it’s now working again.

Very strange.

If you find him, please send my pc Gremlin back to me. ;D