How to Fix Microsoft Outlook Email Not Working?

While most of our technology and programs work most of the time, we are always aware when they do not. With email being the quickest and easiest way to contact anyone, anything, or any company, it’s not only inconvenient, but it’s also unacceptable. There are a variety of reasons why your Outlook email isn’t working, as well as a variety of things that can go wrong. It’s possible that Outlook isn’t sending mail. It’s possible that it isn’t receiving mail.

Outlook, like any other email program, will not function if you are not connected to the Internet. However, there is a Work Offline setting that can simulate a working Outlook; however, if this is toggled, the program will not attempt to connect to the internet even if you are fully connected.

It’s possible that Outlook email isn’t working because you’ve run into a bug that necessitates an update, or that an update has failed and you need to fix it.

The simplest fix could be your settings, which we’ll walk you through checking as well as all of the other issues we’ve discussed.

This manual will walk you through a variety of troubleshooting procedures. Try to open Outlook and check your mail again after each step. Stop at that point if the program opens and works; you don’t need to go any further.

Steps to Fix Microsoft Outlook Email Not Working

Check if Work Offline is Toggled

Make sure Work Offline isn’t turned on in Outlook. Outlook will appear to be online when you use Work Offline, but you will only be able to access mail that has already been saved.

1. Open Outlook.
2. In Outlook, look at the bottom of the window. Outlook is not connected to the internet if it says Working Offline or Disconnected.
3. Select Send / Receive. Select Work Offline to reconnect.

Check for Updates

1. Open the Start menu and select Settings.
2. Select Update and Security.
3. Select Windows Update on the left, then select Check for updates.
4. When the system has finished checking for updates, it will download and install the most recent updates that are available.
5. The system may also prompt you to restart; if this happens, please do so as soon as possible; otherwise, the update process will fail.

Restart and Install the Update

Select the Start menu, then select Power.

Select Restart or Update and Restart.

All open programs will be closed, any pending updates will be applied, and your computer will restart.

Check Outlook Settings

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

1. Open Outlook.
2. Click the File menu.
3. Select Account Settings and Account Settings again.
4. Select your email, then Change.
5. From here you can double-check all of your settings and even test them.

Check These Windows Settings

To do everything from encryption (keeping your mail safe from prying eyes) to assisting your mail provider in making sure you are supposed to have access, Windows Mail relies on a number of different settings on Windows itself. A quick look at these Windows settings can often be of assistance.

Make Sure Date & Time Are Correct

The Date and Time settings on your computer are used to encrypt emails sent between you and your mail provider, making it safer.

1. Open the Start menu and select Settings.
2. Select Time & Language.
3. On the left, select Date & Time. It’s usually best to select Set time automatically, double-check that the Time zone is correct, and turn on Adjust for daylight saving time automatically. After that, check the top of the computer to ensure it is showing the correct 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.
2. Select Time & Language.
3. Select Region on the left, and make sure your Country is selected properly.

MS Outlook Still Doesn’t Work? If Outlook still won’t open or work after you’ve completed all of the above steps, try uninstalling and reinstalling the program. Please contact our Outlook email tech support team. If necessary, one of our technicians can look into why Outlook won’t work further or start a remote support session on your desktop.