Sending, receiving, and organizing email in Outlook.com
Check Microsoft’s Service Health Status site first because the problem began today and affects only Outlook; if Outlook is degraded, wait for Microsoft to restore the service rather than changing your device settings.^1^
If service health is normal
Since restarting and fully shutting down did not help, isolate whether the connection reset is tied to the browser or network:
- Open Outlook in another browser.
- If it works, the original browser’s stored Outlook data or an extension is likely interfering.
- In Microsoft Edge, select Settings and more (…) → Settings → Privacy, search, and services → Cookies → See all cookies and site data.
- Search for and delete site data associated with Outlook and Microsoft sign-in, then retry. Deleting site cookies signs you out of that site.^2^
- Temporarily disable ad blockers, privacy/script-blocking extensions, and confirm cookies and JavaScript are allowed. Microsoft notes that these controls can interfere with account sign-in.^3^
- Test the same computer on a different connection.
- Connect it temporarily to a phone’s cellular hotspot, then open Outlook.
- If Outlook works there, the issue is with the original network path—not the Microsoft account or browser. Disconnect any VPN or proxy and retry; Microsoft identifies proxies and authenticated firewalls as possible blockers for Microsoft 365 sign-in traffic.^4^
- On a managed work or school network, ask the administrator to verify outbound TCP/HTTPS ports 80 and 443 and access to Microsoft 365 destinations, including
*.outlook.comand*.microsoftonline.com.^4^
- If it fails in every browser and on a different network, use Microsoft’s account sign-in troubleshooter. Outlook.com’s support page recommends that route when sign-in remains unavailable.^5^
Escalation
If service health is normal but Outlook still resets across multiple browsers, devices, and networks:
- For a personal Outlook.com account, use the Still need help? option on the Outlook.com sign-in support page.^5^
- For a Microsoft 365 work or school account, ask the organization’s Microsoft 365 administrator to inspect Service health and open a Microsoft support request.
When escalating, include the exact time, browser name, whether the hotspot test worked, and a screenshot of ERR_CONNECTION_RESET.
References
- Fixes or workarounds for recent issues on Outlook.com
- Manage cookies in Microsoft Edge: View, allow, block, delete and use | Microsoft Support
- How to fix 'Let's help you move forward' error | Microsoft Support
- How to troubleshoot non-browser apps that can't sign in to Microsoft 365, Azure, or Intune | Microsoft Support
- How to sign in to Outlook.com | Microsoft Support