How to Fix Hotmail Not Working on Mac Mail Quickly and Easily

Having trouble with Hotmail not working on Mac Mail can be frustrating, especially when you rely on email for communication. Whether you’re facing login issues, syncing problems, or errors with sending and receiving emails, resolving these issues quickly is essential. In this guide, we’ll explore the reasons why Hotmail may not be functioning properly on Mac Mail and provide step-by-step solutions to fix the problem.

Common Reasons Why Hotmail Is Not Working on Mac Mail

Several factors can cause Hotmail not working on Mac Mail issues, including:

• Incorrect email settings – IMAP, SMTP, and other server settings may not be configured correctly.
• Outdated Mac Mail or macOS – Compatibility issues may arise due to an outdated version.
• Network connectivity issues – Poor or unstable internet connections can prevent emails from syncing.
• Hotmail account security settings – Microsoft’s security settings might be blocking access.
• Corrupt email cache or app data – Cache or corrupted files could interfere with Mac Mail’s performance.

How to Fix Hotmail Not Working on Mac Mail

1. Check Your Internet Connection

Before troubleshooting other settings, ensure your internet connection is stable:

• Restart your router.
• Switch to a different network if possible.
• Run a speed test to check for slow connectivity.

2. Verify Your Hotmail Login Credentials

Incorrect passwords can cause login failures. Double-check your credentials:

• Log in to Hotmail via a web browser to verify your password.
• If needed, reset your password through Microsoft’s account recovery process.

3. Update Mac Mail and macOS

Using an outdated macOS or Mac Mail app can cause syncing problems:

• Go to System Settings > General > Software Update and install any available updates.
• Open Mac App Store, search for Mac Mail, and update if needed.

4. Remove and Re-add Your Hotmail Account

If Hotmail is not syncing, removing and re-adding the account can help:

1. Open Mac Mail and go to Settings > Internet Accounts.
2. Select Hotmail and click Remove Account.
3. Restart your Mac and re-add Hotmail using the correct settings.

5. Configure Hotmail IMAP/SMTP Settings Manually

If automatic setup fails, enter these settings manually: Incoming Mail Server (IMAP):

• Server: outlook.office365.com
• Port: 993
• Encryption: SSL

Outgoing Mail Server (SMTP):

• Server: smtp.office365.com
• Port: 587
• Encryption: TLS

Ensure you enable authentication for both servers.

6. Check Microsoft Account Security Settings

Microsoft may block login attempts from unknown devices:

• Go to https://account.microsoft.com/security.
• Enable Two-Step Verification and create an App Password for Mac Mail.
• Use the app password instead of your regular password when adding your account.

7. Clear Mac Mail Cache and Rebuild Mailbox

Corrupt cache files can cause syncing issues:

• Close Mac Mail.
• Open Finder and navigate to ~/Library/Mail/V9.
• Delete the folder related to Hotmail.
• Restart Mac Mail and let it sync your messages again.

8. Check for Conflicting Applications

Firewall or security apps may block Hotmail:

• Disable third-party antivirus or firewall temporarily.
• Try accessing Hotmail via Mac Mail again.

Preventing Future Hotmail Issues on Mac Mail

• Keep Mac Mail and macOS updated.
• Regularly clear email cache to prevent corruption.
• Ensure correct IMAP/SMTP settings when setting up Hotmail.
• Use a stable internet connection to avoid sync failures.
• Enable two-step verification and generate an app password for security.

Conclusion

Fixing Hotmail not working on Mac Mail requires checking login credentials, configuring proper IMAP/SMTP settings, and troubleshooting sync issues. By following the solutions outlined above, you can restore Hotmail functionality and prevent future problems.