E-mail log in

Check Microsoft’s service-health page first because Outlook.com accepting the password but remaining on the loading logo can indicate a current service incident rather than an incorrect password.^1^

1. Check for an Outlook.com incident

1. Open Microsoft service health status.
2. Select Show Products if displayed, then check Outlook.com under Microsoft consumer products.
3. If Outlook.com shows an incident, wait until its status returns to normal and try again. Microsoft’s Outlook.com guidance specifically recommends this when sign-in succeeds but Outlook.com remains inaccessible.^2^
4. Also check Microsoft’s Outlook.com known-issues page for a listed access problem or workaround.^3^

2. Isolate saved browser data

Since the password is already accepted, do not reset it again yet.

1. Open a private/incognito window:
   • Edge: Settings and more (…) → New InPrivate window
   • Chrome: More (⋮) → New Incognito window
   • Firefox: Menu (☰) → New private window
   • Safari: File → New Private Window
2. Go to Outlook.com and sign in.
3. If the mailbox opens privately, clear the normal browser’s cookies/site data and cache for Microsoft and Outlook sites. Microsoft identifies browser data and extensions as relevant checks when Outlook does not load online.^4^
   • Edge: … → Settings → Privacy, search, and services → Clear browsing data → Choose what to clear
   • Chrome: ⋮ → Delete browsing data
   • Firefox: ☰ → Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data → Clear Data
   • Safari: Safari → Settings → Privacy → Manage Website Data
4. Close all browser windows, reopen the browser, and sign in again. Clearing the cache, closing every browser window, and signing in again is a documented Outlook.com recovery sequence.^5^

If it still buffers, temporarily disable browser extensions—especially ad blockers or privacy tools—and test another current browser.

3. Determine whether it is browser-, device-, or service-side

Test Outlook.com on:

• Another browser.
• Another device, such as a phone.
• Another network, such as mobile data instead of Wi-Fi.

The network test is diagnostic; it does not establish that the network caused the problem. If Outlook.com fails across multiple browsers, devices, and networks while the Microsoft account itself signs in successfully, the mailbox may require Microsoft-side service restoration or support assistance.^6^

4. Conditional check for a non-Microsoft username

If the Microsoft account uses only a third-party address—such as Gmail or Yahoo—or only a telephone number, Microsoft requires an Outlook, Hotmail, Live, or MSN alias before that account can access an Outlook.com mailbox. Add a Microsoft email alias when prompted, then sign in again. There is no workaround that allows an account with only a third-party address or phone number to operate an Outlook.com mailbox.^3^

This branch does not apply if the address already ends in Outlook.com, Hotmail.com, Live.com, or MSN.com.

5. Contact Outlook.com support

If service health is normal and the mailbox still fails on multiple browsers or devices:

1. Open Microsoft’s Outlook.com sign-in support page.
2. Use the Outlook.com support link, or select Help, enter the issue, then scroll to Still need help? and select Yes.
3. Report that the password is accepted but Outlook.com remains on the loading logo. Include any displayed error code and the tests performed, but hide the email address and other personal information.^7^

References

1. Microsoft service health status
2. How to sign in to Hotmail | Microsoft Support
3. Fixes or workarounds for recent issues on Outlook.com
4. why won't outlook load online? - Microsoft Q&A
5. Fixes or workarounds for recent issues on Outlook.com | Microsoft Support
6. [URGENT] Cannot login into outlook.con without error - Microsoft Q&A
7. How to sign in to Outlook.com | Microsoft Support