Language Changed in Outlook

Question

Language Changed in Outlook

greg k 5

I was hacked. Now my Outlook username, folder titles, and all instructions are in a different language. AI helpbot did not help me. Tried resetting "foldernames" and "navpane" as they suggested, but did not work. English is my preferred language in my settings.

How can I return all my headings back to English?

Thanks!

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2 answers

Answer 1

ernesto macias 0

@Alice-N Hi Alice, I have the same issue but I'm running into the issue of not being able to change my language back. I hadn't used this email in sometime as I have another but this was tied to some previous accounts I used and need access to and noticed that my language interface was changed to Vietnamese.

Likely compromised I have changed password, enable two factor, and authenticator app. I did review recent activity and nothing that wasn't me. I am writing from the account that was compromised currently. My Microsoft account seems to be fine.

I click save after switching language back to English and after refreshing it does not change. Logging out and back in either does not work.

I did delete some rules that I found and left a group that I did not join. Weren't any folders that I didn't recognized to delete. Folders were ones I remember creating. Has been around 6 months or longer since I last used this email or logged in so didn't realize til now.

Tried contacting Microsoft support through Chat but no help as he said I needed to speak to outlook support in which how I was routed to Microsoft support in the first place. Just need some help getting the English setting to save!

-Thank you

Hornblower409 15,140 Reputation points

2026-09-19T06:49:28.0233333+00:00
@ernesto macias said

Tried contacting Microsoft support through Chat but no help as he said I needed to speak to outlook support

The recommended way to get routed to Outlook Support is to use Outlook Web In-App Support.

Logon to https://outlook.cloud.microsoft/

From the main menu: Help -> ? Help

{This should open the Help side panel}

Search Help -> {Your problem} and press Enter

Still need help? [Yes]

If you get "We're here to help": Tell us your problem -> {Your problem, again} [Get Help]

[Sign In] {Use any Outlook/Microsoft account}

Choose a support option -> Chat with a support agent in your web browser

I have the same issue but I'm running into the issue of not being able to change my language back ...

I understand that you have the same or similar issue to the one discussed in this thread. But you will probably not get any help by adding to an old post.

I would suggest that you start a new thread using the "Ask a question" button at the top of this page to create a new Question and include the details for your specific problem and what steps you have already tried to fix it.

This provides much higher visibility to your issue than adding on to an existing post, which is only seen by people who are already following this question.

Answer 2

Hi greg k

Please reply with these details only:

Are the folder names also wrong at Outlook.com, or only in New Outlook?
Which language are the folders currently showing in?
Are only the folders changed, or are the menus/settings also changed?
Did you already change the Microsoft account password after the hack?

Also try the steps below in order.

1) Change the language directly in New Outlook

Open New Outlook, then:

Select the Settings gear icon.
Go to General > Language and time.
Set Language (Country/Region) to English.
Select Save.
Close and reopen New Outlook.

2) Check the same setting in Outlook.com on the web

Go to Outlook.com and sign in with the same account. Outlook.com is the web portal for Outlook mail.

Then:

Select Settings.
Go to General > Language and time.
Set the language to English.
Save the change.
Refresh the page, then reopen New Outlook on Windows.

3) Secure the account first, since you mentioned it was hacked

Before changing more settings, run a full antivirus scan, then change your Microsoft account password from a trusted device. Running a full scan before changing the password when an account may be compromised.

4) Review mailbox settings that may have been changed after the hack

In Outlook.com, check and remove anything you did not create or recognize.

Please check:

Settings > Mail > Forwarding
Settings > Mail > Rules
Settings > Mail > Junk email
Any connected accounts or automatic replies you do not recognize

5) Check Microsoft account language and security information

Go to your Microsoft account dashboard, which is where Microsoft lets you manage account, profile, and security settings.

Then review:

Your info
Security
Account language/region
Recovery email
Phone number
Sign-in methods

Remove anything you do not recognize, and enable two-step verification if it is not already enabled.

6) If New Outlook still shows the wrong language

Remove and re-add the affected account in New Outlook:

Open New Outlook.
Go to Settings > Accounts > Email accounts.
Select Manage next to the affected account.
Remove the account from Outlook.
Restart New Outlook.
Add the account again after confirming that the Outlook.com language is already set to English.

Please tell me how it goes. If the problem persists, please don’t hesitate to reply to this thread and I will be happy to help. Have a lovely day!

If the answer is helpful, please click "Yes" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

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greg k 5 Reputation points

2026-07-26T05:24:15.68+00:00

Hi!

This was in New Outlook.

The new language was Vietnamese (translator app with camera on phone to the rescue)

Folders, Menus, Settings, all were changed into Vietnamese

I did change my password once I figured out I'd been hacked.

Step #1 worked. Used the translator app on my phone to know which icon and block to push/click.

Step #2 worked. Was already/still in English when I logged in.

BTW, I do not use New Outlook, just Classic. This also happened on my desktop computer, if that makes a difference.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP!!!!!
Alice-N 13,375 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-07-29T07:35:13.0333333+00:00

Hi greg k. Glad to hear the language is back to English. Since the issue only affected New Outlook and Outlook.com stayed in English, this was likely the New Outlook language setting rather than the Classic Outlook folder reset commands.

Because you mentioned the account was hacked, please:

Go to Microsoft account security and review Recent activity, security email, phone number, and sign-in methods.

Remove anything you do not recognize and keep your new password.

If Classic Outlook ever changes language too, go to File > Options > Language, then set English as the preferred Office display language. For New Outlook go to Settings > General > Language and time.

I’m glad the translator workaround helped you get back into the correct setting. If the answer is helpful, please click "Yes" and kindly upvote it. Thank you so much !