Pro Tips to Fix Hotmail Not Working on Mac Mail

A connection between Hotmail (Outlook.com) and Apple Mail is necessary for smooth and easy cross-platform communication. Yet, several users face issues related to sync problems, authentication halts, or frozen accounts on macOS Mail. Therefore, when the “Hotmail not working on Mac Mail” error appears, productivity is diminished, and professionals with large mailboxes suffer the most. In this blog, find out how to fix this error effortlessly for secure and error-free working.

Hotmail Not Working with Apple Mail: What’s the Problem?

It is not mandatory that the error for the issue is always from the Microsoft side. Sometimes, Apple Mail configurations and outdated settings can also be the reason. You may encounter a problem similar to the one shown below when attempting to connect Hotmail with Apple Mail.

Hotmail Error

Some other common triggers for this error message are:

  • Outdated credentials or a recent password change desync Hotmail with Apple Mail.
  • Minor typo errors or incorrect IMAP/SMTP settings can affect the connection, too.
  • The macOS or Mac Mail version being used may be outdated or have some conflicts.
  • If 2FA is enabled in your Hotmail account, then you need its App Password for the login.
  • Old authentication tokens in Keychain Access may also create problems with the sync.

These are some of the basic factors that prevent users from connecting the Hotmail and Apple Mail accounts. Further, check out the reliable methods you can use to resolve the error successfully.

Manually Fix Hotmail Not Working on Mac Mail

Begin with the basic troubleshooting to eliminate the issue and resume your work quickly and effectively:

1) Verify IMAP and SMTP Settings

Ensure the connection protocol settings you are using for Hotmail are correct to date.

Navigate to Mail –> Preferences –> Accounts –> Server Settings to check it:

IMAP Server: https://imap-mail.outlook.com
Port 993 and SSL Enabled
SMTP Server: http://smtp-mail.outlook.com
Port 587 and SSL Enabled

2) Account Removal and Addition

It is possible that the “Hotmail Account Not Working on Apple Mail” issue arises because the account is not properly set up. To fix it:

  1. First, move to Mail –> Accounts –> Internet Account.
  2. Then, remove the existing Hotmail account by tapping the (-) icon.
  3. Lastly, click the (+) icon –> Add Another Mail Account to re-add Hotmail.

3) Update Mac OS and Mac Mail

  1. Open the Apple Menu on your Mac and move to the System Preferences tab.
  2. Then, in Software Updates, check for any available updates.
  3. In the end, simply install them to update Mail protocols.

4) Clear Cache Credentials

  1. Open Keychain Access on your Mac Mail.
  2. Then, search Outlook or Hotmail for it and locate old entries.
  3. Further, delete the old entries from it and restart Mail.
  4. Finally, re-enter the Hotmail credentials to authenticate.

Another alternative to this to fix Hotmail not working on Mac Mail is:

  1. From Finder on Mac, click Go –> Go to Folder.
  2. Next, type ~/Library/Mail or Preferences/ and click Enter to locate.
  3. Afterward, find the com.apple.mail.plist file and move it to Trash.
  4. At last, restart the Mac and reconfigure the Hotmail account.

5) Force Quit and Restart Mac Mail

  1. Press the keys Option + Command + Esc together on your Mac.
  2. The Force Quit window opens up. Further, click on Mail to select.
  3. In the end, hit the Force Quit button.

Automatically Fix Hotmail Not Working on Apple Mail

If Mac Mail still continues to reject your Hotmail credentials even after all the troubleshooting. Then, it’s ideal to take a backup of your Hotmail data or migrate it to another Mac-supported email client. The dedicated SysInfo Hotmail Backup Tool is a perfect fit for this task. It allows you to instantly migrate Hotmail account to Outlook.com and iCloud without any difficulties or mailbox size limits.

Additionally, you can access multiple accounts simultaneously to migrate data after preview and conditional formatting with unique filter options. Moreover, it ensures that no risk for data loss or sync errors occurs in the process and keeps your data intact and structure preserved. Thus, a full-fledged and secure solution for your Hotmail migration needs!

Conclusion

Hotmail Not Working on Mac Mail error is definitely frustrating and interrupts the entire workflow, especially when switching accounts. All the major conflicts related to it stem from the inability to secure and authentic connection. You can try the manual fixes to eliminate the issue and work conveniently. However, taking a backup beforehand is the best solution in either case. Or, you can also use the professional software at a later stage to migrate data quickly with precision and zero loss, ensuring accessibility at any time.

FAQs

Q. Why is Hotmail not working with Apple Mail after entering the correct password?

Ans- If you set up your Hotmail account with two-step verification, you will need an app-specific password instead of your regular one. You will also want to confirm that the Hotmail account has IMAP enabled.

Q. Will Hotmail work with macOS Ventura or later operating systems?

Ans- Yes, but older configurations may not perform authentication as the operating system is strictly compliant with OAuth. Always keep your macOS and Mail updated.

Q. Can you resolve “Hotmail not working on Mac Mail” without deleting the account?

Ans- Yes. To reset the connection, look for cache entries to clear, and re-enter the credentials under Account Settings, before deleting the account.

Q. Is there an alternative if Hotmail not working on Apple Mail?

Ans- Yes, Outlook for Mac provides native access and better compatibility with Microsoft authentication protocols. So, instead of Apple Mail, get access with Outlook.

Q. What is the most reliable way to resolve the Hotmail account not working on Apple Mail issue?

Ans- The best way to ensure consistent access to Hotmail is to migrate to Outlook.com or use a professional Hotmail Backup Tool for stable access and high-level security.

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About The Author:

Suman Rawat is a technical content writer and expert in the fields of email migration, data recovery, and email backup. Her passion for helping people has led her to resolve many user queries related to data conversion and cloud backup.

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