Outlook connection issue with @FREE.FR provider ?

Question

Hello,
End of 2025, Outlook (New version) cannot establish the connection (IMAP / SMTP) with my account from @FREE.FR provider anymore. Note that everything works normally with another "email viewer" (example: BleuiMail). Therfore, I tried to fix this issue with the CLASSIC version of Outlook, but I failed.

Is Microsoft aware about this issue?

Does a solution already exist to fix this Outlook issue?

If NOT, how can we inform Microsoft to fix it?

Thanks in advance for your support.

[PII : Removed]

Answer 1

Dear Guillaume

Please note that our forum is a public platform, and we will modify your question to hide your personal information in the description. Kindly ensure that you hide any personal or organizational information the next time you post an error or other details to protect personal data.    

Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Q&A Community. I understand you are having problems connecting your @free.fr account via IMAP/SMTP in the new Outlook (and also in Classic Outlook), while it works correctly in other mail clients. I am happy to assist you. 

Please use Free’s exact server settings and ensure authentication is configured with the full email address: 

• IMAP: imap.free.fr:993 with SSL/TLS 
• SMTP: smtp.free.fr:587 with STARTTLS (or 465 with SSL/TLS) 
• Authentication required on SMTP; enter the full @free.fr address as the login; do not enable SPA. 

Classic Outlook advanced checks: 

• In More Settings > Outgoing Server, tick “My outgoing server (SMTP) requires authentication” and select “Use same settings as incoming.” 
• In Advanced, set IMAP 993/SSL and SMTP 587/STARTTLS (or 465/SSL). 
• Leave SPA unchecked. 

Besides contacting support via Contact - Microsoft Support  >Type a brief description of your issue in the search box >Scroll down to the bottom > select Sign in to contact support >Log in to another available personal Microsoft account.  >Under Products & Services, select "Other Products", and click Confirm> Click "Chat with a support agent in your web browser" (during business hours). You can also provide direct feedback to Microsoft so the Outlook product team can investigate. Please submit your feedback here: Microsoft Feedback Portal. Thank you for your understanding. 

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Answer 2

Hi Guillaume

I hope you are doing well ! I just want to check if you have had a chance to test the steps earlier? Please let me know if they helped resolve the issue or if you are still experiencing any difficulties. I am here to assist you further.

Best Regards