How to Fix Email Not Working in Microsoft Outlook

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.

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.

1. Open your browser. In the address bar at the top, type in google.com, then push Enter or Return.
   
2. Make sure the Google page comes up. Type in something to search for, and select Google Search.
   
3. Make sure your search results come up.
   

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.
   
2. Check the bottom of the Outlook window. If it says Working Offline or Disconnected Outlook is not connected to the internet.
    
3. Select Send / Receive. Select Work Offline to reconnect.
   

1. Select the Start menu.
   
2. Select the Settings button on the left side of the start menu.
   
3. Select Update and Security.
   
4. Select Windows Update on the left, then select Check for updates.
   
5. Once the system has finished checking for updates, it will automatically download and install the latest applicable updates.
6. 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.

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.
   

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.
   
2. Select Time & Language.
   
3. 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.
   
2. Select Time & Language.
   
3. 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.
   
2. Select Privacy.
   
3. 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.