how to login to outlook email

Check Microsoft 365 service health first because an active Exchange Online incident can prevent Outlook on the web sign-in; if no incident is listed, test the connection from another network and a private browser window.

1. Check whether Microsoft 365 is unavailable

Open the Microsoft service health status page and look for an Outlook, Exchange Online, or Microsoft 365 incident. Microsoft uses this page when users cannot access the tenant or admin center.^1^

• Incident shown: No password or browser change is required. Follow the status updates and retry after Microsoft reports that service is restored.
• No incident shown: Continue with the network test below.

If possible, ask a colleague whether Outlook on the web also stopped working around 8 AM. If several employees are affected, your Microsoft 365 administrator should check Microsoft 365 admin center → Health → Service health → Exchange Online.^1^

2. Isolate the “can’t reach the internet” error

1. Confirm that another website opens in the same browser.
2. Disconnect any VPN temporarily.
3. Connect the device to another network, such as a mobile hotspot.
4. Open a private browser window:
   • Microsoft Edge: Ctrl+Shift+N
   • Google Chrome: Ctrl+Shift+N
   • Firefox: Ctrl+Shift+P
5. Go directly to Outlook on the web, enter the work or school email address and password, and complete any multifactor-authentication prompt.^2^

Interpret the result:

• It works on the hotspot: The normal Wi-Fi, company firewall, DNS, proxy, or VPN is interfering. Contact the organization’s IT/network team and report that Outlook works from a different network.
• It works only in the private window: Clear cookies and cached site data for Microsoft sign-in and Outlook sites, disable browser extensions temporarily, and restart the browser. These are established browser recovery steps for Outlook sign-in failures.^3^
• It fails on every browser, device, and network: The issue is more likely associated with the organization’s Microsoft 365 service or account configuration rather than one browser.

3. Escalate to the Microsoft 365 administrator

Because this is a work or school account, the organization controls it. Ask the IT administrator to check:

• Whether other users are affected.
• Health → Service health → Exchange Online for an incident or advisory.
• Your account status and recent sign-in logs.
• Whether a Conditional Access policy, proxy, or web filter is blocking access.
• Whether the account requires a password reset or administrator action.

Provide the exact error, the approximate start time (“since 8 AM”), browsers and networks tested, and whether a mobile hotspot worked. Do not post your email address, password, verification codes, or tenant details publicly.

References

1. How to check Microsoft 365 service health
2. How to sign in to Outlook on the web | Microsoft Support
3. Unable to sign in to Outlook due to "CONNECTFAILED undefined" error - Microsoft Q&A