Hotmail Not Working on iPhone? Here’s How to Fix It

Are you having trouble accessing Hotmail on your iPhone? Maybe your emails aren’t syncing, you can’t send or receive messages, or you’re constantly seeing login errors. Don’t worry—you’re not alone! Many iPhone users experience Hotmail-related issues, but the good news is that most of them can be fixed easily.

In this guide, we’ll explore:
✅ Why Hotmail isn’t working on your iPhone
✅ Step-by-step troubleshooting methods
✅ Preventive measures to avoid future issues
✅ FAQs to answer common concerns

By the end, you’ll be back to managing your emails effortlessly on your iPhone!

Why is Hotmail Not Working on My iPhone?

Several reasons can cause Hotmail (now part of Outlook.com) to stop working on your iPhone. Here are the most common ones:

🔑 Incorrect login credentials – A mistyped email or password can prevent access.

📶 Network connectivity issues – A weak or unstable internet connection can stop Hotmail from loading.

⚙ Outdated iOS or Mail app – Older software versions can cause compatibility issues with email services.

📩 Incorrect email settings – If your Hotmail account isn’t configured properly, it won’t sync or load emails correctly.

🚨 Microsoft server outages – Sometimes, the problem is on Microsoft’s end, and the servers might be down.

Now that we know what might be causing the issue, let’s move on to fixing it step by step!

How to Fix Hotmail Not Working on iPhone

1. Check If You’re Using the Right Login Credentials

Sometimes, a simple typo in your email address or password can be the culprit.

✔ Go to Microsoft’s Login Page on a browser and try logging in.
✔ If you forgot your password, reset it by clicking “Forgot Password?”
✔ Once reset, try logging into Hotmail on your iPhone again.

2. Restart Your iPhone

A quick restart can fix many temporary glitches.

1️⃣ Hold down the Power button + Volume button (on iPhones with Face ID) or just the Power button (on older models).
2️⃣ Slide to power off, wait 30 seconds, and turn your phone back on.
3️⃣ Open the Mail app and check if Hotmail is working.

3. Check Your Internet Connection

Your iPhone needs a stable internet connection to sync emails.

✔ Try switching between Wi-Fi and mobile data to see if the issue is connection-related.
✔ Restart your Wi-Fi router if necessary.
✔ Go to Safari and try opening a webpage—if it doesn’t load, the issue might be with your internet connection.

4. Remove and Re-Add Your Hotmail Account

If Hotmail still isn’t working, removing and re-adding your account can fix configuration errors.

📌 To remove your Hotmail account:
1️⃣ Go to Settings > Mail > Accounts.
2️⃣ Select your Hotmail account.
3️⃣ Tap Delete Account, then confirm.
4️⃣ Restart your iPhone.

📌 To add your Hotmail account back:
1️⃣ Go to Settings > Mail > Accounts > Add Account.
2️⃣ Select Outlook.com (Hotmail is now part of Outlook).
3️⃣ Enter your Hotmail email and password, then tap Sign In.
4️⃣ Allow access to your Mail, Contacts, and Calendars.

5. Update Your iPhone and Mail App

Sometimes, an outdated iOS or Mail app can cause email syncing problems.

✔ Update iOS:
Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install the latest version.

✔ Update the Mail app:
If you use the Outlook app instead of Apple Mail, check for updates in the App Store.

6. Check Microsoft’s Server Status

If Hotmail isn’t working for anyone, the issue might be on Microsoft’s end.

✔ Visit Microsoft’s Service Status Page to check for outages.
✔ If there’s a server issue, you’ll have to wait for Microsoft to fix it.

7. Reset Network Settings (If Necessary)

If you still can’t access Hotmail, resetting your iPhone’s network settings might help.

⚠ WARNING: This will erase your saved Wi-Fi passwords, so make sure you remember them!

📌 How to reset network settings:
1️⃣ Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset.
2️⃣ Tap Reset Network Settings and enter your passcode.
3️⃣ Your iPhone will restart—connect to Wi-Fi and check if Hotmail is working.

How to Prevent Hotmail Issues in the Future

✅ Keep your iOS and Mail app updated – Regular updates fix bugs and improve compatibility.
✅ Use the official Outlook app – It works better with Hotmail than Apple’s Mail app.
✅ Enable Two-Factor Authentication – Protect your account from login issues and security threats.
✅ Regularly check Microsoft’s service status – This can help you avoid unnecessary troubleshooting.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why is my Hotmail not updating on my iPhone?

Your email might not be updating because of:

• Poor internet connection
• Outdated software
• Incorrect mail settings
• Microsoft server issues

Try removing and re-adding your Hotmail account, updating your iOS, and checking Microsoft’s service status.

2. How do I reset my Hotmail password if I can’t log in?

If you forgot your password, go to Microsoft’s Password Reset Page and follow the steps to create a new one.

3. Can I use the Outlook app instead of Apple Mail?

Yes! If Hotmail isn’t working in Apple Mail, try using Microsoft’s official Outlook app from the App Store—it’s optimized for Hotmail.

4. Why is Hotmail working on my computer but not my iPhone?

If Hotmail works on your computer but not your iPhone, the issue might be:

• A problem with the Mail app
• Incorrect settings
• A network-related issue

Try deleting and re-adding your account, updating your phone, or resetting your network settings.

5. What should I do if my Hotmail account is locked?

Microsoft may lock accounts if there’s suspicious activity. To unlock it:

• Go to Microsoft’s Account Recovery Page.
• Verify your identity and follow the steps to regain access.

Final Thoughts

Hotmail not working on your iPhone can be annoying, but with the right troubleshooting steps, you can quickly fix the issue and get back to using your email.

Quick Recap:
✔ Check your login details and reset your password if needed.
✔ Remove and re-add your Hotmail account to refresh the settings.
✔ Update your iPhone and Mail app for better compatibility.
✔ Check Microsoft’s server status—sometimes the issue is on their end.
✔ Use the Outlook app if Apple Mail keeps giving you problems.

If you’ve tried everything and Hotmail still isn’t working, contact Microsoft Support for further assistance.