Why won't my Outlook or Office365 Email server connect?

Check if the SMTP server configuration is correct. You can connect directly to Microsoft 365 or Office 365 using the settings shown below:

Setting

Value

Outgoing mail server

smtp.office365.com

Port

587

Use TLS

Yes


For connecting to Outlook, you can use the settings below:

Setting

Value

Outgoing mail server

smtp-mail.outlook.com

Port

587

Use TLS

Yes

 

Otherwise, the issue is most likely that the authenticated SMTP (SMTP AUTH protocol) is disabled in your Exchange Online organization.SMTP AUTH can be enabled/disabled on the organization level, or per-mailbox. Because SMTP AUTH only uses basic authentication, Microsoft recommends disabling it on the organization level and enable it only for individual accounts that still require it.If security defaults are enabled in the organization, then SMTP AUTH is disabled.SMTP AUTH can be enabled in Microsoft 365 admin centre or using Exchange Online Powershell.To make it simple, to enable SMTP AUTH for a single account:

  1. Go to the Microsoft 365 admin center (https://admin.microsoft.com/) > Users > Active users.
  2. Select the user you are going to send emails from, and go to the Mail tab.
  3. In the Email apps section click Manage email apps.
  4. Enable Authenticated SMTP and click Save changes.
After that, you should be able to authenticate using the respective account.Important: You need admin rights in your Office 365 organization to do that. Otherwise, ask your O365 org admin for help.Further details: https://docs.microsoft.com/exchange/clients-and-mobile-in-exchange-online/authenticated-client-smtp-submission