Outlook e-mail

Install all available Windows updates—particularly KB5085516 or a later cumulative update that supersedes it—then restart the laptop before resetting Outlook or removing the email account.

1. Update Windows and New Outlook

A closely matching device-specific Outlook sign-in problem was resolved by KB5085516, released to correct Microsoft-account sign-in failures in some apps caused by KB5079473.^1^

1. Open Start → Settings → Windows Update.
2. Select Check for updates.
3. Install KB5085516, if offered, or install every newer cumulative update available.
4. Restart Windows, even if it does not request a restart.
5. Open Microsoft Store → Library → Get updates and install any Outlook update.^2^
6. Reopen Outlook and try signing in once.

2. Repair New Outlook

If updating does not fix it:

1. Close Outlook.
2. Open Start → Settings → Apps → Installed apps.
3. Find Outlook (new).
4. Select the three dots → Advanced options → Repair.
5. Reopen Outlook and test it. Repair should preserve the app’s data.^3^

If Advanced options or Repair is unavailable, skip to reinstalling Outlook from Microsoft Store.

3. Separate an account problem from a laptop problem

Use a browser on the affected laptop to open your email provider’s webmail and sign in.

• If browser access works, the account itself is functioning and the remaining issue is local to the Outlook app.
• If an Outlook.com, Hotmail, Live, or MSN mailbox also fails in the browser, use the Microsoft account sign-in troubleshooter.^4^
• If it is a work or school mailbox and webmail also fails, contact the organization’s Microsoft 365 administrator to check the account, license, and sign-in status.
• For Gmail, Yahoo, iCloud, or another provider, follow that provider’s verification or app-password requirements.

Being able to use the phone is useful evidence, but it does not fully test a fresh browser sign-in because the phone may still have an existing sign-in session.

4. Reset Outlook, then add the account again

Reset removes Outlook’s local app data, so account setup must be completed again afterward.

1. Go to Settings → Apps → Installed apps → Outlook (new) → Advanced options.
2. Select Reset.
3. Open Outlook and add the account when prompted.

If Outlook opens but still loops at sign-in, remove only the affected account:

1. In Outlook, open View → View settings → Accounts → Your accounts.
2. Select Manage beside the affected account.
3. Select Remove, choosing remove from this device only if that choice appears.
4. Return to Your accounts → Add Account, enter the email address, and complete the provider’s sign-in window.^5^

Avoid Remove from all devices: for some non-Microsoft accounts, that can remove Microsoft Cloud data across Outlook clients.

5. Reinstall or escalate

If Reset and account re-add fail:

1. Uninstall Outlook (new) from Settings → Apps → Installed apps.
2. Restart Windows.
3. Reinstall Outlook from Microsoft Store → Library.^2^

If the failure remains after reinstalling:

• Personal Outlook.com/Hotmail account: contact Microsoft Support.
• Work or school account: contact the Microsoft 365 administrator.
• Gmail/Yahoo/iCloud or ISP account: contact that email provider and provide the exact error message.

Do not include your password, verification code, or full email address in screenshots or public replies.

References

1. Cannot log in to Outlook
2. Windows 11
3. Windows 11
4. How to sign in to Outlook.com
5. New Outlook