Hotmail cannot send email but can receive

Frustrating!

There are several reasons why Hotmail (or Outlook.com) might not be able to send emails but can receive them. Here are some possible causes:

  1. Outgoing mail server settings: Make sure your outgoing mail server settings are correct. You can check these settings in your Hotmail account settings:
    • Go to the Hotmail settings (gear icon) > View all Outlook settings > Mail > Accounts > Your email account > Outgoing mail server.
    • Ensure the server settings are correct: smtp.office365.com (or smtp.outlook.com for older accounts) for the outgoing mail server, and 587 for the port.
  2. Authentication issues: Hotmail might be having trouble authenticating your account when trying to send emails. Try resetting your password or checking your account settings to ensure you're using the correct login credentials.
  3. Spam filters: Hotmail's spam filters might be blocking your outgoing emails. Check your spam folder to see if any emails are being sent to the spam folder instead of the inbox.
  4. Firewall or antivirus software: Firewalls or antivirus software might be blocking the outgoing email connection. Try temporarily disabling these programs to see if it resolves the issue.
  5. Internet connection: Ensure your internet connection is stable and working properly. A slow or unreliable connection can cause issues with sending emails.
  6. Account limitations: Hotmail has some limitations on the number of emails you can send per day. If you're sending a large number of emails, you might be hitting this limit.
  7. Server issues: Hotmail's servers might be experiencing technical difficulties, causing issues with sending emails. Try checking the Hotmail status page or contacting Microsoft support to see if there are any known issues.

To troubleshoot the issue, you can try the following:

  1. Check your email client settings (e.g., Outlook, Thunderbird) to ensure they're configured correctly.
  2. Try sending an email from a different email account to see if the issue is specific to your Hotmail account.
  3. Contact Microsoft support for further assistance, as they may be able to help you resolve the issue or provide more specific guidance.

I hope this helps you identify and resolve the issue!