Mail server imap mail.outlook.com is not responding

A frustrating issue!

When you're unable to connect to your Outlook.com IMAP server (mail.outlook.com) using your email client, it can be due to several reasons. Here are some troubleshooting steps to help you resolve the issue:

  1. Check your internet connection: Ensure that your internet connection is stable and working properly. Restart your router or modem if necessary.
  2. Verify your account settings: Double-check your account settings in your email client to ensure that:
    • The IMAP server is set to imap-mail.outlook.com.
    • The port is set to 993 (SSL/TLS) or 143 (plain text).
    • Your username and password are correct.
  3. Check for server issues: Microsoft's Outlook.com servers might be experiencing issues. You can check the Microsoft 365 Service Health dashboard to see if there are any reported issues with the IMAP service.
  4. Firewall or antivirus software: Firewalls or antivirus software might be blocking the connection. Try temporarily disabling them to see if it resolves the issue.
  5. IMAP settings: Ensure that your email client is configured to use IMAP correctly. You can try setting the IMAP settings manually:
    • IMAP server: imap-mail.outlook.com
    • Port: 993 (SSL/TLS) or 143 (plain text)
    • Authentication: Normal password or OAuth2
  6. Clear email client cache: Clear the cache and cookies in your email client to ensure that any corrupted data is removed.
  7. Try a different email client: If you're using a specific email client, try using a different one to see if the issue persists.
  8. Contact your ISP: If you're using a public Wi-Fi network or a specific internet service provider (ISP), contact them to see if there are any issues with their network.
  9. Check for Outlook.com account issues: Ensure that your Outlook.com account is not experiencing any issues. Try accessing your account through the Outlook.com website to see if you can log in successfully.
  10. Contact Microsoft support: If none of the above steps resolve the issue, you can contact Microsoft support for further assistance.

Remember to always keep your email client and operating system up to date to ensure you have the latest security patches and features.