Outlook not loading usually means a browser cache problem, a sign-in issue, or a conflict with your internet connection

When Outlook web (outlook.com or outlook.office.com) refuses to load, you see a blank page, an error message, or the page spins forever. The most common causes are old cached data in your browser, cookies that have expired, browser extensions blocking the page, or a temporary problem with Microsoft's servers. Most of these you can fix in minutes without calling anyone.

Start by checking whether the problem is on your end or Microsoft's. Open a different browser — if Outlook loads in Chrome but not Edge, the problem is your browser, not your account. If it fails in every browser, try a different device or phone. If it works nowhere, Microsoft may be having an outage, and you should check the Microsoft 365 status page at status.microsoft.com.

Key Takeaways

  • Clear your browser cache and cookies before trying anything else — this fixes the majority of Outlook loading problems.
  • Disable browser extensions temporarily to see if one of them is blocking Outlook from loading.
  • Sign out completely from your Microsoft account, close all browser tabs, and sign back in fresh.
  • If Outlook loads in one browser but not another, the problem is your browser settings, not your account or internet.
  • Check the Microsoft 365 status page to confirm Microsoft's servers are running before you spend time troubleshooting your device.

Clear your browser cache and cookies

Your browser stores copies of web pages you visit so they load faster next time. Sometimes these stored copies get corrupted or outdated, and Outlook can't load the fresh version. Clearing this cache usually solves the problem in one step.

In Chrome: Press Ctrl+Shift+Delete (Windows) or Command+Shift+Delete (Mac). Select "All time" from the dropdown at the top. Check the boxes for "Cookies and other site data" and "Cached images and files". Click "Clear data". Then go to outlook.com and try to load it again.

In Edge: Press Ctrl+Shift+Delete (Windows) or Command+Shift+Delete (Mac). Select "All time" from the dropdown. Check "Cookies and other site data" and "Cached images and files". Click "Clear now". Reload Outlook.

In Firefox: Press Ctrl+Shift+Delete (Windows) or Command+Shift+Delete (Mac). Make sure "Cookies and Site Data" and "Cache" are checked. Click "Clear Now". Then reload Outlook.

After you clear the cache, close the browser completely and reopen it. Do not just refresh the page — close the entire browser window and start fresh.

Disable browser extensions and try again

Browser extensions are small programs that add features to your browser — ad blockers, password managers, VPNs, and privacy tools. Some of these can block parts of Outlook from loading, especially if they are set to block scripts or tracking. Turning them off temporarily tells you whether one is the culprit.

In Chrome: Click the puzzle piece icon in the top right corner. You will see a list of your extensions. Click the toggle next to each one to turn it off. Then reload Outlook. If it loads, turn the extensions back on one at a time and reload after each one to find which one is causing the problem.

In Edge: Click the three dots in the top right, then "Extensions". Click the toggle next to each extension to turn it off. Reload Outlook. Turn them back on one at a time to identify the problem extension.

In Firefox: Click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right. Click "Add-ons and extensions". Click the toggle next to each add-on to disable it. Reload Outlook. Re-enable them one at a time to find the problem.

Once you find the extension that blocks Outlook, you can either remove it, adjust its settings to allow Outlook, or keep it off when you use Outlook.

Sign out completely and sign back in

Sometimes your sign-in session becomes corrupted or expires without logging you out. Signing out completely, closing all tabs, and signing back in creates a fresh session.

Go to outlook.com. Look for your account picture or initials in the top right corner and click it. Select "Sign out". Close the browser completely — not just the tab, but the entire browser window. Wait a few seconds, then reopen the browser and go to outlook.com again. Sign in with your full email address and password.

If you have multiple Microsoft accounts, make sure you are signing in with the correct one. If you have been signed into a different account in this browser, that can sometimes cause Outlook to load the wrong mailbox or fail to load at all.

Check your internet connection and Microsoft's servers

A weak or interrupted internet connection can cause Outlook to load partially or not at all. Open a different website — Google, Wikipedia, or your bank — to confirm your internet is working. If other sites load fine but Outlook does not, the problem is not your connection.

If your internet is working but Outlook still will not load in any browser on any device, check whether Microsoft is having an outage. Go to status.microsoft.com in a different browser or on your phone. Look for "Exchange Online" or "Microsoft 365 apps" in the list. If the status shows anything other than "Service running", Microsoft's servers may be down, and you should wait and try again in a few minutes.

If you are on a work or school network, your network administrator may have blocked Outlook or restricted access to it. Try connecting to a different network — a phone hotspot or a friend's Wi-Fi — to see if Outlook loads. If it does, your network is blocking it, and you will need to contact your IT department.

Try a different browser or incognito mode

Opening Outlook in incognito or private mode loads the page without using any of your stored cache, cookies, or extensions. This is the fastest way to test whether one of those is causing the problem.

In Chrome: Press Ctrl+Shift+N (Windows) or Command+Shift+N (Mac). A new incognito window opens. Go to outlook.com and sign in. If it loads here, the problem is your cache, cookies, or an extension in your normal browser.

In Edge: Press Ctrl+Shift+P (Windows) or Command+Shift+P (Mac). A new InPrivate window opens. Go to outlook.com and sign in.

In Firefox: Press Ctrl+Shift+P (Windows) or Command+Shift+P (Mac). A new private window opens. Go to outlook.com and sign in.

If Outlook loads in incognito mode but not in your normal browser, you know the problem is cache, cookies, or extensions. Go back and follow the steps above to clear your cache and disable extensions.

Restart your device and router

A restart clears temporary files and resets your internet connection. It sounds simple, but it fixes a surprising number of loading problems.

Close all browser windows. Restart your computer or phone completely — do not just put it to sleep. While your device is restarting, unplug your router (the box that provides your Wi-Fi) for 10 seconds, then plug it back in. Wait for the lights to stabilize, then open your browser and try Outlook again.

If you are on a work computer, restart it even if you think you have restarted recently. Sometimes updates or background processes require a restart to take effect, and they can interfere with web pages loading.

Frequently Asked Questions

I see an error code like 0x80070005 or AADSTS. What do I do?

Error codes mean something specific went wrong. Write down the exact code and search for it along with "Outlook" in a search engine — Microsoft publishes explanations for most error codes. Common ones are permission problems (you do not have access to that mailbox), account lockouts (too many failed sign-in attempts), or temporary server issues. The search results will tell you whether to wait, reset your password, or contact your IT department.

Outlook loads but my emails do not show up. Is that the same problem?

No. If the page loads but your inbox is empty or shows old emails, the problem is usually that Outlook is still loading in the background. Wait 30 seconds without refreshing. If emails still do not appear, try clearing your cache again or signing out and back in. If your inbox stays empty, your account may have a sync problem, and you should contact Microsoft support.

I am using Outlook on my phone. Does this guide apply?

Some of it. You cannot clear cache the same way on a phone, but you can uninstall and reinstall the Outlook app, which clears everything. Sign out of the app first, uninstall it, restart your phone, then reinstall it from the App Store or Google Play and sign back in. If the web version (outlook.com) works on your phone but the app does not, the problem is the app, not your account.

What if none of these steps work?

Try accessing your email through a completely different method. If you have a phone, add your email account to the built-in Mail app (on iPhone) or Gmail app (on Android). If that works, your account is fine and the problem is specific to the Outlook web page or your browser. If nothing works on any device, contact Microsoft support at support.microsoft.com and describe which steps you have already tried.