How to Fix Outlook Stuck on 'Trying to Connect' or Disconnected from the Server

If Microsoft Outlook is stuck on Trying to Connect or shows Disconnected in the status bar, your email client cannot reach the Microsoft 365 server. This often happens after a password change, a network interruption, an Outlook update, or when your organisation enforces Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). The steps below will help you re-establish the connection quickly and safely.

Quick Fix Steps

Try these in order. Most connection problems are resolved by the first two steps.

1. Restart Outlook — close the application completely, then reopen it. Check the status bar after one minute.
2. Restart your computer — this clears temporary network states and cached credentials that can block the connection.
3. Check your internet connection — open a web browser and visit outlook.office.com. If the web page loads and you can sign in, your internet is fine and the issue is with the Outlook desktop app.
4. Verify your Microsoft 365 password — sign in to outlook.office.com using the same email address and password you use in Outlook. If the password is rejected, reset it via your organisation’s Microsoft 365 portal, then update it in Outlook when prompted.

Detailed Instructions

1. Check the Connection Status in Outlook

1. Look at the bottom-right corner of the Outlook window. The status bar shows Connected, Trying to Connect, Disconnected, or Working Offline.
2. If the status is Working Offline, click the Send/Receive tab on the ribbon, then click Work Offline to toggle it off. This switches Outlook back to online mode.
3. If the status is Trying to Connect or Disconnected, continue with the steps below.

2. Clear Cached Credentials in Windows Credential Manager

Outlook stores your Microsoft 365 sign-in details in Windows. A corrupted or outdated entry can prevent the connection.

1. Close Outlook completely.
2. Press Windows key + S and type Credential Manager, then press Enter.
3. Click Windows Credentials.
4. Under Generic Credentials, look for entries that contain MicrosoftOffice16 or Outlook or your email address.
5. Click each matching entry, then click Remove.
6. Restart Outlook. You will be prompted to sign in again with your email address and password.

3. Repair the Outlook Profile

If clearing credentials does not help, your Outlook profile may be damaged. Repair it using the built-in tool.

1. Close Outlook.
2. Open Control Panel (press Windows key + R, type control, press Enter).
3. Set View by to Large icons, then click Mail (Microsoft Outlook).
4. Click Show Profiles.
5. Select your profile, then click Properties.
6. Click Email Accounts.
7. Select your Microsoft 365 account, then click Repair.
8. Follow the prompts. Outlook will test the connection and repair the profile automatically.
9. Restart Outlook and check the status bar.

4. Disable IPv6 on Your Network Adapter

Some Australian ISP routers and VPN clients interfere with IPv6 traffic, which can cause Outlook to hang on Trying to Connect. Disabling IPv6 on the active network adapter often resolves this.

1. Press Windows key + R, type ncpa.cpl, and press Enter.
2. Right-click your active network connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and select Properties.
3. Untick Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6).
4. Click OK, then restart Outlook.

5. Run the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant

Microsoft provides a free diagnostic tool that can automatically detect and fix Outlook connection problems.

1. Download the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant from the official Microsoft website.
2. Install and run the tool.
3. Select Outlook, then choose Outlook keeps saying “Trying to connect…” or “Disconnected”.
4. Follow the on-screen prompts. The tool will run tests and apply fixes automatically.
5. Restart Outlook when prompted.

6. Create a New Outlook Profile

If the existing profile is beyond repair, create a fresh one. Your email data is stored on the Microsoft 365 server, so nothing will be lost.

1. Close Outlook.
2. Open Control Panel and click Mail (Microsoft Outlook).
3. Click Show Profiles, then click Add.
4. Type a name for the new profile (for example, Work Profile New), then click OK.
5. Enter your name, email address, and password when prompted. Complete the MFA challenge if required.
6. After the account is configured, select Always use this profile and choose the new profile from the dropdown.
7. Click OK, then open Outlook.

Troubleshooting Additional Scenarios

Outlook Disconnects When Switching Networks

If Outlook drops the connection every time you move between Wi-Fi networks or use a VPN, your network firewall may be blocking the Microsoft 365 endpoints. Ensure your firewall or security software allows outbound HTTPS traffic on port 443 to outlook.office365.com and smtp.office365.com. If you use a corporate VPN, contact your IT administrator to verify that Microsoft 365 traffic is excluded from the VPN tunnel.

Outlook Shows Connected but Email Does Not Send or Receive

This indicates a partial connection issue. Try the following:

• Click the Send/Receive tab, then click Send/Receive All Folders.
• Check for stuck emails in the Outbox. Open the Outbox, delete any stuck messages, then try sending a new test email.
• Review our guide on Troubleshooting Outlook Send/Receive Errors for further steps.

Outlook Works on Web but Not in the Desktop App

If you can access your mailbox at outlook.office.com but the desktop app fails to connect, the issue is almost always local to your computer. Complete steps 2, 3, and 6 above in order. If the problem persists, your antivirus or firewall software may be interfering. Temporarily disable any third-party security software, test Outlook, then re-enable it.

Preventing Future Connection Issues

To reduce the chance of Outlook connection problems recurring:

• Keep Outlook and Windows updated with the latest patches.
• Use a stable internet connection and avoid switching networks while Outlook is open.
• Regularly clear cached credentials if your organisation changes passwords frequently.
• Ensure your antivirus and firewall software are configured to allow Microsoft 365 traffic.