Microsoft – Outlook.com Issue has been fixed, a Quick Look

Microsoft has successfully rectified a known issue that was causing connection failures for desktop and mobile email clients using Outlook.com accounts. The issue was resolved with service changes implemented on January 31, 2024.

The Issue and Its Impact on Outlook Connectivity

Users began experiencing unexpected authentication prompts, which persisted even after entering the correct credentials. The login window would continually pop up as the app attempted to connect to the Outlook.com account. This issue was reported by users of Outlook 2013, Outlook 2016, Outlook for Microsoft 365, Thunderbird, and mobile email apps when connecting with POP, IMAP, and Exchange connections.

The problem was not limited to just the inconvenience of repeated prompts. It disrupted the seamless experience of using email clients, causing significant frustration among users. Some users reported that even after signing in with an App Password, they were able to connect but later went back into a disconnected state. More details here. This indicates the severity of the issue, as it interfered with the fundamental functionality of email clients.

Microsoft’s Response on Outlook Issue

Upon acknowledging the issue, Microsoft advised users of Outlook 2013 and Outlook 2016 who were still experiencing authentication prompts to enable two-step verification and create an app password. This app password should be used in place of the regular password when Outlook prompts for authentication. More details are available here.

Two-step verification is a security feature that adds an extra layer of protection to your account. When you sign in on a new device or from a new location, you’ll get a security code to your email, phone, or authenticator app. An app password is a long, randomly generated password that you provide only once instead of using your regular password.

Microsoft implemented service changes on January 31, 2024, to address the connection issues. They also advised users to ensure their Outlook client software or Windows operating system software is up to date. Microsoft offers free updates for all your Office apps, including Outlook. Users can run Windows Update to make sure that they have the latest updates for Outlook and other desktop applications for Microsoft 365. More details here.

Other Recent Issues and Fixes

Outlook.com users have faced other issues in recent months that have prevented them from searching for email content or caused their email clients to crash. Two months ago, the Outlook team fixed a known issue that caused Outlook Desktop clients to crash while sending emails from Outlook.com accounts in Version 2311 Build 17029.20068.

Conclusion

Microsoft continues to work diligently to resolve any issues and provide a seamless user experience. Users are encouraged to keep their systems updated to benefit from these fixes. The resolution of these issues underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date software and applying patches promptly.

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