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How to Fix Email Not Working in Microsoft Outlook ?
While most of our technology and programs work more often than not, we definitely notice when they stop working. With email being the quickest and easiest ways to reach anyone, anything, and any company, having it not work is not only frustrating but not acceptable.
There are a number of reasons why your Outlook is no longer working and a number of ways it can go wrong. Maybe Outlook isn't sending mail. Maybe it isn't receiving mail.
Like any email program, if you're not connected to the Internet, Outlook won't work at all. But there is a setting called Work Offline that can simulate a working Outlook, unfortunately if this is toggled the program won't try to connect to the internet even if you're fully hooked up.
Outlook may not be working because you've encountered a bug that requires an update, or similarly an update may have errored and you need to have it fixed.
The simplest fix could be your settings, which we'll walk you through checking as well, along with all the previously mentioned issues.
1. Make Sure I'm Connected to the Net
• Open your browser. In the address bar at the top, type in google.com, then push Enter or Return.
• Make sure the Google page comes up. Type in something to search for, and select Google Search.
• Make sure your search results come up.
2. Check if Work Offline is Toggled
In Outlook, check that Work Offline is not toggled. Work Offline allows Outlook to appear like it is online but you will only have access to mail that has already been saved.
• Open Outlook.
• Check the bottom of the Outlook window. If it says Working Offline or Disconnected Outlook is not connected to the internet.
• Select Send / Receive. Select Work Offline to reconnect.
3. Check for Updates
• Open the Start menu and select Settings.
• Select Update and Security.
• Select Windows Update on the left, then select Check for updates.
• Once the system has finished checking for updates, it will automatically download and install the latest applicable updates.
• The system also may prompt you to restart, if it does, please do so at your earliest convenience, otherwise the update process will not complete.
4 Restart and Install the Update
• Select the Start menu, then select Power.
• Select Restart or Update and Restart.
• Your computer will close all open programs, apply any pending updates, and start back up.
5 Check Outlook Settings
6. Check These Windows Settings
Windows Mail relies on a number of different settings on Windows itself to do everything from encryption (keeping your mail safe from prying eyes), as well as helping your mail provider make sure you are supposed to have access. A quick check of these Windows settings can often help.
Make Sure Date & Time Are Correct
The Date and Time set on your computer is used to help encrypt your email between your mail provider and you, keeping it safer.
• Open the Start menu and select Settings.
• Select Time & Language.
• Select Date & time on the left. It's usually best to have Set time automatically selected, and make sure the Time zone is set properly, and Adjust for daylight saving time automatically turned on. After that, look at the top and make sure the computer shows the right time and date.
Make Sure the Country or Region is Right
Windows Mail uses some region information to connect to the proper mail server for some mail providers, such as Google.
• Open the Start menu and select Settings.
• Select Time & Language.
• Select Region on the left, and make sure your Country is selected properly.
Sure the Mail App Can Access My Calendar
Windows Mail integrates a calendar system with your email, and will need access to the Windows Calendar app to do so. This is done through the Privacy settings.
• Open the Start menu and select Settings.
• Select Privacy.
• On the left, scroll down to App permissions and select Calendar. Make sure Allow apps to access your calendar is turned On, and Mail and Calendar are On, allowed to access the calendar.
7. If It Still Doesn't Work
Please contact your Email provider for further assistance.
How long is my Outlook version still supported?
I’ve been using Outlook 2013 since it came out and I’m still quite happy with it.
I know that since then Outlook 2016 has come out and Outlook 2021 is the latest version that is available. Then there is also Microsoft 365 which apparently is always the latest version of Office.
With so many newer versions of Outlook, is Microsoft still committed to support my Outlook 2013 version or is it time for me to move on?
Even though newer versions of Outlook and Office came out, Microsoft continues to support the older versions as well for quite some additional years.
The support end dates are divided between “Mainstream” and “Extended”, for which you’ll find an explanation below the Support End Dates table.
Microsoft 365 has a separate lifecycle which is explained at the end of this guide but in short; This version is always supported.
Mainstream vs Extended support
The main differences between Mainstream and Extended support are as follows;
• During Mainstream support, updates can include bug fixes, feature changes and security fixes.
• During Extended support, updates mainly focus on security updates. Non-security updates may still be included in special circumstances or when specifically requested (see next point).
• During Extended support, to request non-security updates, you’ll need to purchase Unified Support.
As an end-user, you’ll hardly realize the difference between the two as updates will still be provided until the Extended Support date has been reached.
However, once a product has reached its Mainstream Support end date, it is generally recommended to start planning to upgrade to a newer version.
Microsoft 365
You only really need to be aware of 2 things;
• You need to have an active Microsoft 365 subscription.
• You need to stay up-to-date within your so-called “Release Channel”.
With the “Release Channel”, you can control when and how often you’ll receive new features and updates. For more info see; Why am I not getting the latest updates for Microsoft 365 Apps, Outlook 2019 or Outlook 2016?
By default, Microsoft 365 is configured to update itself automatically, but you can also manually check for updates.
Set up or update AT&T email - Microsoft Outlook 2016
Set up Outlook 2016 for AT&T email
Use these steps to set up your email for the first time or on a new computer.
1. In Outlook, select File > Add Account.
2. Choose Manual setup or additional server types.
3. Select Pop or IMAP.
4. Complete your User Information:
• Enter your name as you want it to display to others.
• Enter your full AT&T email address.
5. Complete the Server Information:
• Account Type - Select IMAP or POP3.
• Incoming mail server - Enter imap.mail.att.net (IMAP) or inbound.att.net (POP3).
• Outgoing mail server - Enter smtp.mail.att.net (IMAP) or outbound.att.net (POP3).
6. Complete the Logon Information:
• User Name - Enter your full email address.
• Password - Enter or paste your secure mail key.
• Check Remember password and Require logon using Secure Password Authentication.
7. Select More Settings.
8. Complete Outgoing Server info:
• Check My outgoing server (SMTP) requires authentication.
• Select Use same settings as my incoming mail server.
9. Complete Advanced info:
• Incoming server - Enter 993 (IMAP) or 995 (POP3).
• Use the following type of encrypted connection - Choose SSL.
• Outgoing server - Enter 465 (IMAP and POP3).
• Use the following type of encrypted connection - Choose SSL.
10. Select OK and then Next. Outlook will test your account info. If everything passes, select Finish.
Verify or update AT&T email settings
Already have your email set up, but want to update your email account with your secure mail key? Here’s what you have to do:
1. Select File > Account Settings.
2. Choose your AT&T email account and then select Change.
3. Confirm or enter the following IMAP or POP settings:
• Incoming server: imap.mail.att.net (IMAP) or inbound.att.net (POP3)
• Outgoing mail server: smtp.mail.att.net (IMAP) or outbound.att.net (POP3)
4. Check or enter your User Name (full AT&T email address).
5. In the password field, enter your secure mail key and select the Remember password checkbox.
6. Select Next. Outlook will test your account settings.
7. Select Close, then Finish.
