Fix my outlook e-mail

Sign in to Outlook.com with the personal Microsoft account you have always used; an Outlook.com or Hotmail mailbox does not require a work or school account.

Try the mailbox in a web browser

1. Open the official Outlook.com sign-in page: Outlook.com sign-in.
2. Enter your complete email address, including the correct ending—for example, .com versus .co.uk.
3. Enter your Microsoft account password. Your Outlook.com/Hotmail password is the same as your Microsoft account password.^1^

If that opens your inbox, the account itself works and the problem is with the Outlook application rather than the mailbox.

If Outlook says “Use your work or school account”

If this exact message appears in Outlook for Microsoft 365 on Windows:

You can't sign in here with a personal account. Use your work or school account instead.

Microsoft fixed that issue in Version 2303, Build 16227.20202 and later.^2^

Update Outlook:

1. Open an Office application such as Word or Outlook.
2. Select File → Account.
3. Under Office Updates, select Update Options → Update Now.
4. Restart Outlook and add or sign in with the personal Outlook.com address again.

Do not create a school account. If the message appears on a website rather than in the Windows Outlook application, return to the Outlook.com link above; you may be on a page intended only for organizations.

If the browser sign-in also fails

Use Microsoft’s Sign-in Helper. Enter the email address or mobile number associated with the account and follow the identified recovery steps.^3^

If the password is accepted but Outlook.com itself will not open, check Microsoft’s service status. If the service is not shown as healthy, wait for it to recover before trying again.^4^

Contacting Microsoft

Use the official Microsoft Support page and select Personal account or Get help. Available options can include chat or a regional telephone number, depending on the product and country.^5^

Support cannot access the mailbox, change account details, or send a password-reset link on your behalf. Never post your email address, password, verification code, or telephone number publicly.

References

1. How to sign in to Hotmail | Microsoft Support
2. Can't sign in to Outlook with Outlook.com account | Microsoft Support
3. I can't sign in to my Microsoft account | Microsoft Support
4. Fixes or workarounds for recent issues on Outlook.com | Microsoft Support
5. Contact Microsoft customer support | Microsoft Support