Can not log into Outlook on Mac. Error message: Something went wrong. Refresh the application

Question

This problem started on Monday, 3/16/26 with my outlook email account: Then today i encountered the same problem with another outlook email account: I heard Microsoft was having widespread Outlook problems this week. Screenshot of message has been attached. Please help, Steve

Answer 1

Hi Steven Jennings, 

I can understand how frustrating that is when you’ve been running into this, especially since it started with one account and then showed up with another one as well. At this point, I recommend that you review and try the steps provided in the AI generated answer on your thread. That reply typically include the most relevant checks for this scenario. 

When you have a moment, could you let me know: 

• Are both affected accounts personal Outlook.com accounts or work/school Microsoft 365 accounts? 
• Does this happen with both accounts in Outlook for Mac only or also on other devices? 
• Are you using New Outlook for Mac or Legacy Outlook? 
• Does the issue happen in one browser only, or have you seen the same result in another browser as well? 
• Do you use a VPN, security software, or company network profile on this Mac? 
• Did anything change shortly before this started, such as a password change, MFA prompt, account security update, or Office update? 

In the meantime, please try the steps below: 

1. Fully quit Outlook and reopen it 

2.Make sure Outlook is up to date 

• Open any Office app > Help > Check for Updates and install any available updates.  

3.Open Outlook on the web in an InPrivate / Incognito window 

• This helps check whether the issue is tied to cached browser data or an extension. 

4.Clear browser cache and cookies for Microsoft sites, then sign in again 

• Please clear cached data for Outlook / Microsoft 365 sites and test again in a fresh session. 

5. Temporarily disable browser extensions and VPNs 

While my initial response may not fully resolve the issue, I truly appreciate your cooperation as we work together toward identifying the most effective solution. Thank you so much for your understanding. 

I hope these checks help resolve the Outlook on the web sign-in issue and make the next steps clearer. Wishing you a smooth and quick return to your email access. 

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Answer 2

Based on the described behavior in Outlook for Mac, use the following steps to troubleshoot and recover sign-in and mail access:

1. Confirm Outlook and account status

• Verify that the Outlook service and account are working by signing in to Outlook on the web in a browser. If sign-in fails there as well, contact the account or Exchange administrator to check for service or account issues.

2. Check Outlook’s online/connection state

• In Outlook for Mac, on the Outlook menu, make sure Work Offline is not checked.
• On the Tools ribbon, choose Accounts and check the Exchange or Microsoft 365 account:
  • If the indicator icon is orange, Outlook is not connected to the server.
  • If this is the case, confirm network connectivity and then try again. If the issue persists, contact the Exchange or Microsoft 365 admin to verify the server status and connectivity.

3. Reconnect to Exchange if needed

• Still in Tools > Accounts, select the problematic account.
• If the account previously worked but now fails, remove the account from Outlook and add it back, then test sign-in again.

4. Repair possible sync/cache corruption If Outlook opens but folders do not sync correctly or errors persist:

• Make sure the Mac is online and connected to the Exchange server.
• In the navigation pane, Ctrl+click or right‑click the affected Exchange folder (for example, Inbox) and select Properties.
• On the General tab, choose Empty Cache.
  • This clears the local cache and forces Outlook to download all items again from the server.
  • Note: This deletes any items not yet synchronized to the server, including contacts’ mail certificates, so ensure important data is synced or backed up first.

5. If Outlook for Mac crashes or hangs during startup/sync If the “Something went wrong” message is accompanied by crashes or Outlook closing unexpectedly:

• Ensure Outlook for Mac is updated to the latest version (version 16.47 or later includes fixes for known crash issues during synchronization).
• If updating is not possible immediately, use Outlook on the web until the Mac client can be updated.

6. If the issue is tied to a recent service incident If this started during a known Microsoft 365 incident affecting Outlook sign-in or connectivity, restarting Outlook after the service fix is deployed is often required. If an admin is available, they should check the Microsoft 365 Service Health Dashboard for any Outlook/Exchange incidents and follow the guidance there.

If, after these steps, Outlook on the web works but Outlook for Mac still shows “Something went wrong,” the next escalation is to:

• Remove the account from Outlook for Mac.
• Quit Outlook.
• Reopen Outlook and add the account again, then allow a full resync.

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References:

• I'm not receiving email or other items in my Exchange account in Outlook for Mac
• I can't connect to my Exchange account in Outlook for Mac
• Outlook for Mac crashes unexpectedly on startup or during mail synchronization