Why You Cannot Add Hotmail Account to Mac Mail? Learn

Cannot add Hotmail account to Mac Mail or is Hotmail not working on Mac Mail? Don’t panic — a lot of people experience that. It most often occurs due to incorrect settings, outdated software, or the issue with the Hotmail account. In this article, we’ll tell you why you can’t add Hotmail to Apple Mail, provide you with simple ways to resolve that, and what to do when nothing helps.

Why You Can’t Add Hotmail to Apple Mail? – Top Reasons Explained

Cannot add Hotmail account to Mac Mail is a common query searched by users facing issues. Hotmail, or as it’s called today, Outlook.com, is a widely used email service provided by Microsoft. Lots of Mac users attempt to link their Hotmail account with the Apple Mail application for convenient viewing of their emails in one location. However, sometimes, they encounter that Hotmail not working on Mac Mail.

Also Read: Is Hotmail Still Active?

Here are some of the most common and simple reasons why this happens if you are unable to add Hotmail account to Mac Mail:

Incorrect Email Settings

To link your Hotmail account to Mac Mail, you simply have to enter the correct incoming (IMAP) and outgoing (SMTP) server information. If you enter the incorrect settings, such as the server name, port number, or leave SSL turned off, you can’t connect to the account Hotmail on Mac Mail. These are some technical reasons why users cannot add Hotmail account to Mac Mail.

Outdated macOS or Apple Mail App

If your Mac is using an older version of macOS or if the Mail app hasn’t been upgraded for a long time, it may not have the latest security settings that Hotmail employs. This can make the setup fail.

Two-Factor Authentication is Enabled

If you’ve enabled two-factor authentication for your Hotmail/Outlook account (adds an extra security layer), when you set up your Hotmail/Outlook account in Apple Mail, you can’t enter your usual password. Instead, you’ll generate a specific app password from within your Microsoft account. Without this, you can’t add Hotmail to Apple Mail properly.

A Slow Internet Connection

If your internet connection is poor or unstable, Apple Mail won’t be able to reach the Hotmail servers to complete the setup. This is one of the basic yet overlooked reasons why you cannot add Hotmail account to Mac Mail.

Temporary Server Problems

Microsoft servers or Apple Mail syncing service may be temporarily out of order. If that’s the case, you won’t be able to add your account even though all your settings are in place. This may again lead you to believe that you can’t add Hotmail to Mac Mail.

Note:

The reason why Hotmail not working on Mac Mail will depend on the individual’s different situations. It may be an issue with your software, settings, or Hotmail account. Fear not, though — in the subsequent sections of this guide, we’ve covered all the possible causes and simple fixes to make it easier to troubleshoot it step by step.

Top 6 Ways to Fix If You Cannot Add Hotmail Account to Mac Mail

If your Hotmail is not working or won’t add to Mac Mail, don’t worry. It’s a common issue and can be fixed easily. Below are the top 6 easy ways to solve the problem can’t add Hotmail to Apple Mail and getting your emails working again.

Important Advice: Start with the first one, it’s the fastest and most reliable solution that you won’t regret.

6. Check Your Internet Connection

Before trying to do anything else, make sure that your Mac is connected with an internet connection. A faulty or slow one will not let the Mail program be able to exchange information with Hotmail servers and cause it cannot add Hotmail account to Mac Mail problem. Check by trying to get to a web page to ascertain whether the internet is available or not.

If not, then try restarting your Wi-Fi router or switching to a different network. Hotmail email ports sometimes get blocked by public or blocked networks. Once you have confirmed the internet is okay, then try opening Mail again and see if your Hotmail account begins syncing once more.

5. Update macOS and Apple Mail App

Having an outdated version of the Apple Mail application or macOS can lead to compatibility problems with Hotmail. Microsoft updates its email protocols every now and then, and older versions of applications may not be compatible with the updates. If you are unable to add Hotmail account to Mac Mail, you need to go to System Settings > General > Software Update on the Mac.

There is a need to install any pending updates and then reboot the PC. This will ensure the system receives the new bug fixes, security updates, and optimizations in order to enjoy a seamless link with the Hotmail account. After updates, reboot the Mail program and then try adding or syncing the Hotmail account.

4. Recheck Your Hotmail Login Details and Settings

The most frequent cause of Hotmail not working in Mac Mail is invalid login credentials or incorrect server settings. Check that you’re entering your email address and password correctly. If you are adding the account manually, check that you’ve entered the correct IMAP and SMTP settings to fix it if you cannot add Hotmail account to Mac Mail.

For Hotmail, IMAP needs to be imap-mail.outlook.com and SMTP needs to be smtp-mail.outlook.com using SSL and appropriate port numbers. Even a small error in settings can shut out your connection. Double-check everything before saving and restarting the Mail app if you can’t add Hotmail to Apple Mail.

3. Create an App Password for Hotmail (If You Use Two-Step Verification)

You can’t add Hotmail to Mac Mail using your normal password if you’ve turned on two-factor authentication (2FA) for your Microsoft account. You’ll have to generate an app-specific password instead. Go to your Microsoft account security settings, locate the “App Passwords” area, and create a new one.

Use the password when adding your Hotmail account to Mac Mail. Doing so enables the app to be connected securely and not blocked by Microsoft’s security filters. It’s an easy solution that lots of users fail to do.

2. Remove and Re-Add Your Hotmail Account

Many times we cannot add Hotmail account to Mac Mail as the Mail app preferences become corrupted or outdated, causing Hotmail not to sync. To resolve this, delete your Hotmail account and re-add it. Proceed to System Settings > Internet Accounts, select your Hotmail account, and then press the minus (-) button to delete it. Next, click the plus (+) button to add an account, select Outlook.com, and log in.

This re-establishes the link between the app and Microsoft servers. It may fix syncing problems or errors resulting from account permission changes.

1. Use the Smartest Way to Resolve cannot add Hotmail account to Mac Mail Problem

If nothing works, or you simply desire a quick and simple solution to resolve the problem if you cannot add Hotmail account to Mac Mail, use the Email Backup Software. It allows you to backup Hotmail emails to your computer in MBOX format, supported completely by Mac Mail. Once downloaded, you can import the MBOX file directly into the Mail application and view all of your emails without having to log in again.

This technique bypasses server problems, login issues, or connectivity issues. It’s also a fantastic method to save your data securely. Fast, safe, and ideal for every user it’s the perfect solution to help users who cannot add Hotmail account to Mac Mail.

How to Use the Tool to Fix this Error?

1. Simply you have to download the software on your Mac device.
2. Select Hotmail as the email source.
   
3. Enter Hotmail email address and click Login.
   
4. After that, enter the password and click Sign In.
   
5. Now select the folders from the Preview.
   
6. Selet MBOX as the Saving option.
   
7. Choose the destination path and click the Backup button.
   

Now simply import this MBOX file into your Mac Mail account without facing any kind of trouble. This is the perfect way to tackle any problem you are facing while connecting Hotmail to Mac Mail.

Challenges Users Face When Hotmail Not Working on Mac Mail

• Emails won’t load.
• Repeatedly asking for password.
• Represents error messages.
• Very slow to synchronize.
• Two-factor login not working.
• Incorrect email settings.
• New emails not arriving.

FAQs: Can’t Add Hotmail to Apple Mail

Q1. Why is my Hotmail account not working on Mac Mail?

There are several causes why you cannot add Hotmail account to Mac Mail, such as incorrect settings, outdated software, lack of internet connection, or Microsoft account security settings like two-step verification.

Q2. Can the Hotmail problem be solved without a tool?

Yes, even if you can’t connect to the account Hotmail on Mac Mail, you can update macOS, check your internet, or re-add your account manually. But they are time-consuming and don’t always succeed.

Q3. What’s the quickest method to repair the problem?

The quickest and most efficient way when you can’t add Hotmail to Apple Mail is to download Hotmail emails using software as MBOX and import them directly into Mac Mail.

Conclusion

If your Hotmail account doesn’t work or you cannot add Hotmail account to Mac Mail, relax. There are a few quick fixes to solve it, from checking your settings to using an easy backup utility. Regardless of the reason — network problems, login issues, or Mail application glitches — the fixes presented above will resolve the issue and put your emails in working order right away.

Also Read: Migrate Hotmail Account to Outlook.com