Outlook inaccessible

tom passaro 0 Reputation points
2025-08-25T15:32:25.0033333+00:00

Neither I nor my wife can access our Outlook (formerly Hotmail) accounts at home. This applies to our desktop PC and our cell phones. This problem developed about a week or two ago. Strangely, I can get on MY Outlook on my work computer. This situation is interfering with many things. Please advise. Thanks.

Outlook | Windows | Classic Outlook for Windows | For home
0 comments No comments
{count} votes

2 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
  1. Bruce (SqlWork.com) 79,526 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2025-08-25T15:40:07.59+00:00

    your Outlook configuration is probably the the old pop and smtp settings which are no longer supported. Try deleting the accounts, then adding back. if the account creation asks for email server type, use exchange.

    0 comments No comments

  2. Victor1-V 710 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2025-08-26T09:02:48.72+00:00

    Dear tom passar, 

    I understand how frustrating it is that you and your wife cannot access your Outlook accounts from home. The fact that your account works perfectly on your work computer is a very important clue, as it tells us the problem is likely with your home network or devices, not the accounts themselves. 

    Based on this, here is a set of steps to get your accounts working again, starting with the simplest solutions. 

    1. Check Microsoft Service Status 

    First, let's rule out any service outages. This is a quick check to ensure there isn't a known issue affecting Outlook. 

    2. Reset Network & Flush DNS 

    Sometimes, network configuration issues on your PC can be resolved with a simple reset. 

    • On your Windows PC, open Command Prompt as an administrator
    • Run the following commands, pressing Enter after each one: 

    ipconfig /flushdns

    ipconfig /release

    ipconfig /renew 

    • After running these commands, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds and then plugging it back in. 

    3. Test with a Different Network 

    This is a crucial diagnostic step to pinpoint if the problem is specific to your home network. 

    • On your cell phone, temporarily turn off Wi-Fi and switch to mobile data. Try accessing your Outlook account. 
    • If it works, this confirms the issue lies with your home internet connection. 

    4. Use a VPN for Diagnosis 

    As a powerful diagnostic tool, try connecting to your network via a VPN. If Outlook works while you are using the VPN, it's definitive proof that your home network or ISP is the cause of the problem. 

    5. Check Router Settings and Contact Your ISP 

    If the issue persists and is confirmed to be on your home network, the problem may be due to router settings (such as firewall rules) or a block from your ISP. 

    • You can try to change your DNS settings in your router's configuration page to a public DNS server.
    • If you're not comfortable with that, or if it doesn't work, the next step is to contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP). Explain that you can access your Outlook account on other networks but not at home. 

    In summary: Since Outlook works fine on your work computer, the accounts are not the problem. The issue is with your home network. The steps above will help you isolate and resolve this by confirming the network is the root cause. 

    We look forward to hearing from you. Please let us know if any of these steps help. 


    If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".  

    Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread. 

    0 comments No comments

Your answer

Answers can be marked as Accepted Answers by the question author, which helps users to know the answer solved the author's problem.