Microsoft Exchange email not working

Recover access to the Microsoft account first; because the same Outlook.com/Hotmail/Live account also fails in a web browser, re-adding it to Apple Mail cannot succeed until browser sign-in works.

1. Run Microsoft’s Sign-in Helper

Open Microsoft’s Sign-in Helper and enter the affected email address or phone number. It checks the account and directs you to the appropriate recovery action.^1^

Use this route according to the result:

• The password is rejected or has stopped working: continue with account recovery.
• The account is blocked: follow the displayed identity-verification or unblock process. Microsoft may block an account temporarily after detecting unusual sign-in activity.^2^
• The username is not recognized: check the complete address carefully, including .com, .co.uk, or another original domain. If the account has another alias or linked phone number, try that identifier.^3^

2. Recover the account if the password is rejected

Microsoft’s documented recovery sequence is:

1. Select Recover your account from the Microsoft Support recovery page.
2. Enter the Hotmail, Outlook.com, or Live address used to sign in.
3. Choose where Microsoft should send the security code.
4. Enter the requested recovery email address or phone information, then select Send code.
5. Enter the code under Verify your identity.
6. Create and confirm a new password.^3^

If the normal verification options are unavailable, use the Microsoft account recovery form offered through the sign-in support flow.^1^

Do not repeatedly retry the same password across the Apple devices; complete the recovery flow first.

3. Verify web access before returning to Apple Mail

After recovery, sign in to Outlook.com in a browser. The Hotmail/Outlook.com password is the same password used by the Microsoft account.^2^

Only after browser sign-in succeeds should you add the account back on the Mac:

1. Open Mail → Add Account.
2. Select Outlook.com, if shown; otherwise select Microsoft Exchange.
3. Enter the personal email address.
4. Complete authentication in the Microsoft sign-in window.
5. Do not configure it as Other Mail Account, POP, or manual IMAP unless Microsoft Support specifically directs you to do so.^4^

If web sign-in still fails after completing recovery, continue through the support option presented by the Sign-in Helper; Apple Mail settings cannot resolve an account-level sign-in failure.

References

1. I can't sign in to my Microsoft account | Microsoft Support
2. How to sign in to Hotmail | Microsoft Support
3. My username and password have stopped working | Microsoft Support
4. I cannot log into my outlook email when going thru apple mail on my iMac - Microsoft Q&A