How to Fix Email Not Working in Microsoft Outlook

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

Fixing Email Not Working in Microsoft Outlook Error

If your email is not working in Microsoft Outlook, follow these steps:

1. Check Internet Connection:
   • Ensure your device is connected to the internet.
2. Restart Outlook:
   • Close and reopen Outlook to refresh the application.
3. Check Outlook Service Status:
   • Visit the Outlook service status page to see if there are any ongoing issues with the service.
4. Update Outlook:
   • Ensure Outlook is up to date by going to File > Office Account > Update Options > Update Now.
5. Check Email Account Settings:
   • Go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings.
   • Verify that your email account settings are correct, including incoming and outgoing server information.
6. Clear Outlook Cache:
   • Close Outlook.
   • Navigate to C:\Users[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook and delete the cache files.
7. Repair Outlook Data File:
   • Go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings.
   • Select your email account and click "Repair."
8. Disable Add-ins:
   • Go to File > Options > Add-ins.
   • Disable any unnecessary add-ins by selecting "COM Add-ins" and unchecking them.
9. Create a New Outlook Profile:
   • Go to Control Panel > Mail > Show Profiles > Add.
   • Create a new profile and configure your email account again.

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If you are still having trouble, refer to the Step-By-Step Guide below, or Contact Support.Com for Personalized Assistance.

1. Introduction

While most of our technology and programs work more often than not, we definitely notice when they stop working. With email being the quickest and easiest ways to reach anyone, anything, and any company, having it not work is not only frustrating but not acceptable.

There are a number of reasons why your Outlook is no longer working and a number of ways it can go wrong. Maybe Outlook isn't sending mail, maybe it isn't receiving mail, or maybe your network drivers are out of date.

Like any email program, if you're not connected to the Internet, Outlook won't work at all. But there is a setting called Work Offline that can simulate a working Outlook, unfortunately if this is toggled the program won't try to connect to the internet even if you're fully hooked up.

Outlook may not be working because you've encountered a bug that requires an update, or similarly an update may have errored and you need to have it fixed.

The simplest fix could be your settings, which we'll walk you through checking as well, along with all the previously mentioned issues.

How To Use This Guide

This guide is designed to take you through a number of different troubleshooting steps. After each step, try to open Outlook and check your mail again. When the program opens and works, stop at that point; you do not need to go any further.

While the first few steps here are incredibly simple, they are absolutely crucial, and can solve many of the problems you may have quickly and easily!

2. Make Sure I'm Connected to the Net

Your email uses your Internet connection to send and receive mail. It's best to make sure that it works with things like browsing webpages first, before continuing.

1. Open your browser. In the address bar at the top, type in google.com, then push Enter or Return.
   

1. Make sure the Google page comes up. Type in something to search for, and select Google Search.
   

1. Make sure your search results come up.
   

Troubleshoot Internet Connection
If you had problems with searching or using your browser, your Internet connection is the problem. Follow this guide for help resolving your Internet connectivity problems, and your email problems will most likely be fixed as well.

• My Internet Doesn't Work

3. Check if Work Offline is Toggled

In Outlook, check that Work Offline is not toggled. Work Offline allows Outlook to appear like it is online but you will only have access to mail that has already been saved.

1. Open Outlook.
   

1. Check the bottom of the Outlook window. If it says Working Offline or Disconnected Outlook is not connected to the internet.
   

1. Select Send / Receive. Select Work Offline to reconnect.
   

4. Check for Updates

1. Select the Start menu.
   

1. Select the Settings button on the left side of the start menu.
   

1. Select Update and Security.
   

1. Select Windows Update on the left, then select Check for updates.
   

1. Once the system has finished checking for updates, it will automatically download and install the latest applicable updates.
2. The system also may prompt you to restart, if it does, please do so at your earliest convenience, otherwise the update process will not complete.If you system was already recently updated, chances are that no further updates are available and your Update status will indicate: Your device is up to date.

5. Restart and Install the Update

Before your restart your PC, make sure to save all necessary work to prevent data loss.

Windows 10

1. Select the Start menu, then select Power.
   

1. Select Restart or Update and Restart.
   

1. Your computer will close all open programs, apply any pending updates, and start back up.

Windows 8

1. Select the Start menu, then select Power in the top-right corner.
   

1. Select Restart or Update and restart.
   

1. Your computer will close all open programs, apply any pending updates, and start back up.

Windows 7

1. Select the Start menu, then select the small arrow next to Shut down.
   

1. Select Restart.
   

1. Your computer will close all open programs, apply any pending updates, and start back up.

6. Check Outlook Settings

If you know your mail server settings, you can check them quickly to be sure nothing changed on accident.

If your mail provider is any of the following, Windows manages these settings for you, and you will not be able to edit them directly; it is safe to skip this step.

• Outlook.com
  Your email address ends with @outlook.com, @live.com, @hotmail.com, or @msn.com
• Google
  Your email address ends with @gmail.com
• Yahoo!
  Your email address ends with @yahoo.com
• iCloud
  Your email address ends with @icloud.com
• Corporate Exchange Email
  Your email address was provided by your company at work and has a custom domain.

If you are not sure of your mail server settings, it's best to contact your mail provider before making any changes to these settings, or continuing with this guide.

1. Open Outlook.
   

1. Click the File menu.
   

1. Select Account Settings and Account Settings again.
   

1. Select your email, then Change.
   

1. From here you can double check all of your settings and even test them.
   

7. Check These Windows Settings

Windows Mail relies on a number of different settings on Windows itself to do everything from encryption (keeping your mail safe from prying eyes), as well as helping your mail provider make sure you are supposed to have access. A quick check of these Windows settings can often help.

Make Sure Date & Time Are Correct

The Date and Time set on your computer is used to help encrypt your email between your mail provider and you, keeping it safer.

1. Open the Start menu and select Settings.
   

1. Select Time & Language.
   

1. Select Date & time on the left. It's usually best to have Set time automatically selected, and make sure the Time zone is set properly, and Adjust for daylight saving time automatically turned on. After that, look at the top and make sure the computer shows the right time and date.
   

Make Sure the Country or Region is Right

Windows Mail uses some region information to connect to the proper mail server for some mail providers, such as Google.

1. Open the Start menu and select Settings.
   

1. Select Time & Language.
   

1. Select Region on the left, and make sure your Country is selected properly.
   

Sure the Mail App Can Access My Calendar

Windows Mail integrates a calendar system with your email, and will need access to the Windows Calendar app to do so. This is done through the Privacy settings.

1. Open the Start menu and select Settings.
   

1. Select Privacy.
   

1. On the left, scroll down to App permissions and select Calendar. Make sure Allow apps to access your calendar is turned On, and Mail and Calendar are On, allowed to access the calendar.
   

8. If It Still Doesn't Work