Change Outlook back to English from Settings (gear icon) → General → Language and time, select English under Language (Country/Region), and then select Save. ^1^
Change the language
Using a computer is easiest if the current language is unreadable:
- Sign in to Outlook.com.
- Select the ⚙️ gear icon in the upper-right corner.
- Select General in the left column.
- Select Language and time—normally near the top under General.
- Open the first language drop-down and select English (United States) or your preferred English region.
- Select Save, then refresh the page.
If you use classic Outlook for Windows instead, select File → Options → Language, then add or select English under Office display language. ^1^
Get the messages loading
If Outlook opens but individual emails remain blank or keep loading, Microsoft identifies AdBlock and uBlock as possible causes:
- Open Outlook.com in Microsoft Edge or another browser.
- If the messages load there, disable the ad blocker for Outlook.com in your usual browser.
- Refresh Outlook.com.
- If that fails, temporarily disable other browser extensions and test again. Firefox add-ons can also prevent the inbox from loading. ^2^
Secure the account
An unexplained language change does not prove that the account was accessed by someone else, but it should be checked:
- Open the Microsoft account Recent activity page and review the last 30 days of sign-ins, devices, and application activity.
- If anything is unfamiliar, first run a full antivirus scan on the computer.
- Change the Microsoft account password after that scan.
- Review Outlook settings for unfamiliar forwarding, connected accounts, and automatic replies. Microsoft’s compromised-account procedure specifically recommends checking these settings. ^3^
- Update the account’s security information and remove unrecognized trusted devices. ^4^
If this is a work or school mailbox and the language option is unavailable or disabled, the organization may control it; contact the Microsoft 365 administrator. ^5^
References
- Manage language settings in Outlook | Microsoft Support
- Fixes or workarounds for recent issues on Outlook.com | Microsoft Support
- How to recover a hacked or compromised Microsoft account | Microsoft Support
- Check the recent sign-in activity for your Microsoft account
- Change work or school account settings in the My Account portal | Microsoft Support