Fixed: Is Hotmail Not Working on Mac Mail? Try Easy Tips

Hotmail is one of the renowned email services owned by Microsoft. It is a popular webmail platform with over 400 million user base. Moreover, it offers various robust email management features. Often users aim to access their webmail account on Mac Mail for multiple reasons. However, the issue of Hotmail not working on Mac Mail prevents users from accessing the data on Apple Mail.

In this technical tutorial, we will discuss the best yet simple troubleshooting methods to fix the not working issue of Hotmail on Mac OS. Additionally, we will list the common reasons behind addressing this pesky problem on any Mac machine. So, let’s dive into it.

Why Is Hotmail Account Unable to Verify on Mac Mail?

Before walking through the ways to fix the error. Let’s first find out the possible causes behind unable to connect to Hotmail on Mac Mail. Now, read the listed reasons below:-

• Cause 1: Wrong Account Settings

The issue of Hotmail not working on Apple Mail mainly happens if using the wrong account settings. Moreover, users should enable the IMAP settings from their Hotmail account and verify the server settings of SMTP to mitigate
these errors.

• Cause 2: Outdated Version of Apple Mail

Working on the outdated yet unsupported version of Mail on Mac offers challenges when it comes to syncing or connecting other email accounts. Hence, it certainly increases the compatibility problems with the Hotmail account.

• Cause 3: Week Internet Connectivity

Yet another reason behind the error of Hotmail not working on Mac Mail includes an unstable or poor network connection. Moreover, the network issues create disruption, preventing the seamless configuration between two email services.

• Cause 4: Corrupted Mail Data

Since the Mac Mail app keeps the cache data locally on macOS. Sometimes these files get corrupted causing issues with verifying accounts on Apple Mail. In this case, it is recommended to delete all these culprit files to easily configure the account.

• Cause 5: Server Outage Issue

Either experiencing the server outage with Hotmail or Apple Mail, both scenarios bring the issue of Hotmail not working Mac Mail on Mac OS. Additionally, unwanted Mac glitches or bugs unable users from accessing their Hotmail mailbox data on Mac.

• Cause 6: Authentication Changes by Microsoft

Microsoft has recently updated its authentication method for Hotmail and Outlook.com accounts and shifted to Modern Authentication (OAuth2). Users who have configured their accounts using IMAP protocol will need to update their encryption settings to OAuth2 to continue their access. However, it can also cause the connection to Hotmail on Mac Mail error. Therefore, make sure you have updated your account settings and created app password in Hotmail.

Overall, these are the most prominent reasons behind addressing the error of unable to connect to Hotmail on Mac Mail. Now, seeking how to resolve this failure or malfunctioning on Mac OS. Then, move to the next section to learn the effective troubleshooting tips.

7 Simple Tips to Resolve Hotmail Not Working on Mac Mail

Now, we are stepping into ways to fix the error of unable to verify Hotmail account on Mac Mail. In the following section, we will provide easy troubleshooting tips to quickly resolve the connectivity error with Apple Mail. Now, read them below:-

1. Update Mac Mail App
2. Verify IMAP & SMTP Settings
3. Re-add Account on Apple Mail
4. Clear All Mail Cache Files
5. Re-check the Settings of Auto-Forwarding
6. Check Login Credentials of Hotmail Account
7. Force Quit Mail & Restart App

These are the simple and quick troubleshooting methods when facing the issue of the Hotmail email address not working on Apple Mail.

Fixes 1: Update Mac Mail App to Fix Hotmail Not Working on Mac

If the issue of Hotmail not working on Mac Mail might happen due to an outdated version of Apple Mail. Therefore, users should ensure working on the up-to-date edition of Mac Mail. Here are the quick steps to check updates on Mail.

1. Tab on Apple Menu > System Preferences.
2. From System Preferences, check for Software Update to find the recent updates.

Fixes 2: Verify IMAP & SMTP Settings

As we have already mentioned incorrect IMAP or SMTP settings raise the issue as unable to connect to Hotmail on Mac. To avoid these potential errors, users check the general IMAP or SMTP settings including port number, server, encryption SSL, etc. Now, examine the email account settings:-

1. IMAP Server:- https://imap-mail.outlook.com/
2. IMAP Port:- 993
3. SMTP Server:- https://smtp-mail.outlook.com/
4. SMTP Port:- 587

Fixes 3: Re-add Account on Apple Mail

Removing and re-adding accounts is yet another effective troubleshooting tip to fix the issue of Hotmail not working on Apple Mail. This method helps to correct the verification issues including server bugs or Mac Mail glitches. Follow the below-mentioned steps:-

1. Open Settings and then, Accounts.
2. Click on the Hotmail account > tab on the (-) icon to remove it.
3. To re-add the account, switch to (+) button. Now, choose the mail account for prompt configuration.

Fixes 4: Clear All Mail Cache Files

Deleting the corrupted mail preferences helps users fix the technical glitches with Mac Mail, especially when addressing problems with Hotmail not working on Mac Mail. Therefore, perform the below steps on your macOS to fix it instantly:-

1. Open Finder and then, Go > tab on Go to Finder.
2. Now, copy and paste the displayed command
   ~/Library/Preferences/
3. After this, press Enter.
4. Search files i.e. “com.apple.mail.plist” and move them to the Trash folder.
5. Now, restart the Mac machine.
6. At last, reconfigure the desired account on Mac Mail.

Fixes 5: Re-check the Settings of Auto-Forwarding

Hotmail users should re-check the email settings of the Spam Folder, blocked email addresses, email filters, and even IMAP settings. These misconfigurations of email settings lead to the failure when connecting Hotmail with Mac Mail. Therefore, it is recommended that Hotmail users double-check the mailbox settings before syncing it with Mail on Mac.

Fixes 6: Check Login Credentials of Hotmail Account

Sometimes adding incorrect login details triggers the issue of being unable to connect to Hotmail on Mac. To ensure seamless connectivity, users should review all the login details including email addresses, passwords, server settings, etc. Moreover, using the correct information allows users to easily configure their Hotmail account on Mac Mail. However, enter the App password instead of the account password.

Fixes 7: Force Quit Mail & Restart App

Force Quit is another simple and basic troubleshooting method to resolve issues related to being unable to verify an account. Additionally, it allows users to improve the accessibility of the Mail app without any disruption. Here are the detailed steps for Force Quit:-

1. Enter keys: Option + Command + Esc.
2. From the Force Quit Window, tab on Mail > confirm Force Quit.

If Question, Know Solutions!

Q. Why is my Hotmail account not working on Apple Mail?

There are major reasons behind unable to connect to Hotmail on Mac Mail:-

1. Faulty Network Connection
2. Wrong Email Server Settings
3. Corrupted Mail Preferences
4. Outdated Version of Mac Mail
5. Server Outage Issue
6. Change in Authentication

Q. How do I fix Hotmail not connecting to Apple Mail?

Read the top 5 troubleshooting tips to resolve the error:-

1. Check for Workable Connection
2. Correct Server Settings
3. Clear Mail Preferences
4. Update Mac Mail
5. Re-check Login Credentials

Read: why Apple Mail unable to verify account on macOS.

The Bottom Line

In summary, reading this article may help users to fix the technical error of Hotmail not working on Mac Mail. Moreover, the above-suggested manual tips are easy and quick to perform on macOS. Unfortunately, if still addressing the same issue then, take backup of Hotmail email data to access it locally on your macOS.