Cannot log in to valid Outlook account with Outlook 365, Outlook.com from the WEB works.

Question

I am setting up a new Windows 11 PC for my Brother-in-Law.  I have registered everything using his existing email account he has used for years with Outlook, ***@Skybeam.com. When I registered Windows 11, I used this same email address.

Everything has gone well, including registering Windows and retrieving backup files for his current Windows 10 PC from OneDrive through the same account. All of the saved data was retrieved, including his outlook profile.   The registration also works fine for Microsoft Teams. BUT… Outlook does not work.

Any attempt to login to the registered account, Outlook returns an error ‘The username does not exist.”  However, when I log in to Outlook.com via a browser, the login is successful, and it takes me to a prompt to create an Outlook alias xxx for the account.  My first attempt to create an alias with the same first part did not work because an account with that moniker already exists and is owned by another user.  So I created an alias *********@outlook.com.  I then tested the email via the Browser login, and it worked fine.  BUT… I was still unable to log in via Outlook 365.  So I accessed the account properties and deleted the alias, and started over.  I created a new alias ***2, but still no joy, Outlook 365 does not recognize the username..   So I started over the next day and deleted the alias again.

However, now I cannot log in at outlook.com via a browser as it requires that I create an alias again, but will not allow me to, returning the message “We limit the number of aliases you can create, try again later”.   So I have two problems, one I have to wait 7 days to create another alias, but two, Outlook 365 still does not recognize the valid account ******@Skybeam.com.

How can I proceed?

Answer 1

It seems you are experiencing issues with logging into Outlook 365 using an email account that works fine on Outlook.com via a web browser. Here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot and potentially resolve the issue:

1. Check Account Type: Ensure that the email account you are trying to use with Outlook 365 is supported. The new Outlook for Windows supports Microsoft 365 work and school accounts, Outlook.com, Gmail, Yahoo, iCloud, and other accounts connecting via IMAP and POP. If your account is not one of these types, it may not be compatible.
2. Create a New Outlook Profile: Sometimes, creating a new Outlook profile can resolve login issues. You can do this by:
   • Exiting Outlook.
   • Going to Control Panel and selecting or double-clicking Mail.
   • Selecting Show Profiles and then Add to create a new profile.
   • Follow the prompts to set up the new account.
3. Use ExcludeLastKnownGoodUrl: If the issue persists, you may need to modify the registry to prevent Outlook from using a cached AutoDiscover URL. This involves setting the ExcludeLastKnownGoodUrl registry key to 1. However, be cautious with registry modifications and ensure you have backups.
4. Wait for Alias Limit Reset: Since you are facing a limit on creating aliases, you may need to wait for the 7-day period to pass before attempting to create a new alias again. During this time, you can focus on resolving the login issue with the existing account.
5. Contact Support: If none of the above solutions work, consider reaching out to Microsoft support for assistance. They may be able to provide specific guidance based on your account status and any underlying issues.

By following these steps, you should be able to troubleshoot the login issue with Outlook 365.

---

References:

• Outlook doesn't connect or web services don't work after migration to Microsoft 365
• Supported accounts in new Outlook for Windows