Microsoft Outlook errors and common problems

Can't sign in: Password, username or account access problems

Means

Outlook.com will not accept your sign-in. Because it uses your Microsoft account, Microsoft says a forgotten or changed password, a username it no longer recognizes, or an account closed after more than two years without use can all block you.

First step

Run the Microsoft Sign-in Helper and enter the email address or phone number you sign in with. All steps

Emails not arriving: Full storage, rules, filters or Junk folder

Means

New mail does not show up in your Outlook.com inbox. Microsoft says full cloud storage stops all mail, and rules, forwarding, filters, the Junk folder or a temporary account block can also keep messages away.

First step

Check your mailbox storage, because mail stops in both directions when your Microsoft storage is full. All steps

Emails stuck in Outbox: Usually a large attachment or offline mode

Means

A message sits in the Outbox and never sends. Microsoft says the most likely cause is a large attachment, or that you pressed Send while Outlook was working offline.

First step

On the Send/Receive tab, click Work Offline. All steps

Outlook not responding: Hangs on Processing, freezes or stops working

Means

Classic Outlook freezes, shows Not Responding or hangs on the Processing screen when it opens. Microsoft points to hidden dialog boxes, long-running tasks, missing updates, damaged program or data files and broken profiles.

First step

Close Outlook and start it in safe mode with Outlook.exe /safe, then close it and open it normally. All steps

Keeps asking for password: Password changed or expired with your provider

Means

Classic Outlook keeps showing a password prompt. Microsoft says this usually happens after you change your password with your email provider but not in Outlook, or when a work password expires.

First step

Make sure Caps Lock is off, since passwords are case sensitive. All steps

Trying to connect…: Outlook can't reach the mail server

Means

The status bar shows this, or Disconnected, when classic Outlook can't reach your email server, so mail stops syncing and sending.

First step

On the Send/Receive tab, click Work Offline to switch offline mode off and on. All steps

You've tried to sign in too many times: Sign-in blocked after repeated wrong passwords

Means

Microsoft shows this after too many failed sign-in attempts, often from a device that still uses an old password. Microsoft says to recover the account first, then put the right password on your devices.

First step

Reset your password with Microsoft's account recovery steps. All steps