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My MSN email account just stopped working

Troubleshooting step to fix MSN Email issues

By Micros [ for assistance 1-850-923-O38OPublished 11 months ago 6 min read
My MSN email account just stopped working
Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

My MSN Email Account Just Stopped Working: Troubleshooting Guide

If your MSN email account has suddenly stopped working, you’re not alone. Many users experience issues with their MSN email accounts, whether it’s due to login problems, syncing errors, or server outages. MSN email, now integrated with Outlook.com, is a reliable service, but like any technology, it can encounter glitches. In this article, we’ll explore the reasons why your MSN email account may have stopped working and provide step-by-step solutions to fix the problem.

**Why Did My MSN Email Account Stop Working?**

Before explaining the solution, let's establish what could be the cause of this issue. Here are some of the common reasons as to why your MSN email account is no longer working:

1. **Wrong Login Credentials**: The email address or password is not correctly typed.

2. **Password Problems**: Forgetting one's password or being in such a state that an account is locked from continual attempts at logging in.

3. **Server Outage**: MSN email servers may be down for scheduled maintenance or other technical issues.

4. **Improper Email Settings**: Improper email settings in your device.

5. **Problematic Network Connectivity**: Poor or unstable internet connection.

6. **Storage Full**: Your device storage is full, and that might be the reason for the email app not to work properly.

7. **Outdated Software Version**: Running an older version of your email app or operating system.

8. **Third-Party App Issues**: Issues related to third-party email apps or integrations.

9. **Account Suspension**: Your account might have been suspended temporarily due to suspicious activities detected.

**Step-by-Step Solutions to Fix Your MSN Email Account**

Below are expert-recommended solutions to get your MSN email account working again:

**1. Check Your Internet Connection**

A stable internet connection is essential for accessing your MSN email account. Follow these steps to ensure your device is connected to the internet:

  • - Open a browser and try loading a website.
  • - If the website doesn’t load, check your Wi-Fi or cellular data connection.
  • - Toggle Airplane Mode on and off to reset your network connection.
  • - Restart your router if you’re using Wi-Fi.

**2. Verify Your Login Credentials**

If you’re unable to log in to your MSN email account, double-check your login credentials:

  • - Ensure you’re entering the correct email address and password.
  • - If you’ve forgotten your password, use the [Microsoft Account Recovery](https://account.live.com/password/reset) page to reset it.
  • - If your account is locked, follow the instructions on the recovery page to unlock it.

**3. Check MSN Server Status**

Sometimes, the problem might not be from your end. The servers at MSN email might be down for maintenance or other technical issues. To check the server status:

1. Go to the [Microsoft Service Status](https://status.office.com/) page.

2. Look for any reported outages or maintenance.

3. If the servers are down, wait a few hours and then try again.

**4. Check Your Email Settings**

Bad email settings can get your MSN email account to act up. Here's how to check and update your settings:

**For iPhone or iPad:**

1. Open the **Settings** app.

2. Tap **Mail** > **Accounts**.

3. Tap on your MSN email account.

4. Tap **Account**, then **Advanced Settings**.

5. Make sure the following settings are correct:

- **Incoming Mail Server:**

  • - Host Name: `imap-mail.outlook.com`
  • - Port: `993`
  • - Use SSL: `On`

- **Outgoing Mail Server:**

  • - Host Name: `smtp-mail.outlook.com`
  • - Port: `587`
  • - Use SSL: `On`

**For Computer (Outlook App):**

1. Open the Outlook application.

2. Go to **File** > **Account Settings** > **Account Settings**.

3. Highlight your MSN email account and tap **Change**.

4. Check the server settings and edit if needed.

**5. Make Space Available in Storage**

A full storage on your device can be an operational hindrance to the email app. To make space available:

  • - On the iPhone or iPad: Go to **Settings** > **General** > **iPhone Storage** and delete unused files or apps.
  • - On Computer: Remove unused files or transfer them to an external drive.

**6. Update Your Software**

  • Using older versions of software may cause compatibility issues with MSN email. To update your software:
  • - On iPhone or iPad: Go to **Settings** > **General** > **Software Update** and install the latest iOS.
  • - On Computer: Update your operating system and email application to the latest version.

**7. Re-add Your MSN Email Account

If none of the above solutions work, try removing and re-adding your MSN email account:

**For iPhone or iPad:**

1. Go to **Settings** > **Mail** > **Accounts**.

2. Tap on your MSN email account.

3. Tap **Delete Account**.

4. Restart your device.

5. Go back to **Settings** > **Mail** > **Accounts** and tap **Add Account**.

6. Tap **Outlook.com** and input your email credentials.

**For Computer (Outlook App):**

1. Open the Outlook app.

2. In the **File** menu, click **Account Settings** > **Account Settings**.

3. Select your MSN email account and click **Remove**.

4. Restart the Outlook application and re-add your account.

**8. Try the Outlook App**

If the Mail app or Outlook desktop application is problematic, try using the official Outlook mobile application:

1. Download the Outlook application from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android).

2. Sign in using your MSN email credentials.

3. Follow the screen instructions to set up your account.

**9. Contact Microsoft Support**

If you have tried all the above fixes and your MSN email account is still not working, you can go ahead and contact Microsoft Support. They can help troubleshoot the problem and grant you access to your account.

**FAQ Section**

**Q1: Why can't I log in to my MSN email account?

A: This may be due to the wrong password, server issues, or poor internet connectivity. Reset your password and check whether the server is down.

**Q2: How do I reset my MSN email password?**

A: You can reset your password through the [Microsoft Account Recovery](https://account.live.com/password/reset) page by following the on-screen instructions.

**Q3: What should be the right server settings for MSN email?

A: Here are the settings that should be used:

  • - Incoming: `imap-mail.outlook.com` (Port 993, SSL On)
  • - Outgoing: `smtp-mail.outlook.com` (Port 587, SSL On)

Q4: How do I know if the MSN servers are down?

A: You can check for outages on the [Microsoft Service Status](https://status.office.com/) page.

Q5: Why am I not able to send/receive emails?

A: This may be because your email settings are wrong, your internet connection is bad, or there is an issue with the servers. Check your settings and the status of the servers.

Q6: Can I use the Outlook application instead of the default Mail application?

A: Yes, Outlook is optimized for MSN/Outlook.com accounts and works way better in those aspects.

**Q7: How can I free up the storage on my iPhone?**

A: Go to **Settings** > **General** > **iPhone Storage** and delete unnecessary files or apps.

**Q8: What should I do if my MSN email account is locked?**

A: Use the [Microsoft Account Recovery](https://account.live.com/password/reset) page to unlock your account.

**Q9: How do I enable two-factor authentication for MSN email?**

A: Go to your Microsoft account settings and enable two-factor authentication for added security.

**Q10: How do I contact Microsoft Support?**

A: Visit the [Microsoft Support](https://support.microsoft.com/) website and follow the instructions to get help.

**Conclusion**

If your MSN email account has stopped working, don't panic. You can troubleshoot most problems with the steps described in this article and get back into your account. Be it some wrong email settings, password resetting, or checking for server outages, these solutions will get you up and running. If all else fails, Microsoft Support is always there to help you with expert assistance. The right approach will help you ensure that your MSN email account works seamlessly and reliably.

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