Why can't I log into my Hotmail account?

Common causes include an incorrect password, account blocked due to suspicious activity, two-step verification issues, browser cache problems, or account closure due to 2 years of inactivity. Visit account.live.com/password/reset to reset your password.

Can I use my Hotmail address on the Outlook mobile app?

Yes. Download the Microsoft Outlook app for iOS or Android, tap Add Account, and enter your Hotmail address and password. It works exactly like the desktop version.

Hotmail Login 2026 – Sign In to Hotmail Account via Outlook.com

What is the Hotmail Login Page?

The official Hotmail login page in 2026 is outlook.live.com. Hotmail was rebranded as Outlook.com by Microsoft in 2013, but all existing @hotmail.com email addresses remain fully active and continue to receive email without any interruption. Typing hotmail.com in your browser automatically redirects to the same Microsoft sign-in page.

Hotmail — now operated as Outlook.com — is part of your Microsoft Account. The same email address and password you use to sign in to Hotmail also works for OneDrive, Microsoft 365, Xbox, Skype, Microsoft Teams, and every other Microsoft service. There is no separate Hotmail-only login; the credentials are unified across the entire Microsoft ecosystem.

This guide covers how to log in to your Hotmail account on desktop browsers (Windows, Mac, Linux), Android smartphones and tablets, and iPhones running iOS. It also covers the most common Hotmail login problems — including Hotmail login not working, forgotten passwords, blocked accounts, 2FA issues, and inactive account warnings — with step-by-step fixes for each.

      Quick Reference — Essential Hotmail Sign-In URLs
      Hotmail / Outlook Inbox: outlook.live.com
Microsoft Account Login: login.microsoftonline.com
Password Reset: account.live.com/password/reset
Find Forgotten Email: account.live.com/acsr
Account Security Settings: account.microsoft.com/security
Manage Verification Methods: account.live.com/proofs/manage
Manual Recovery Form: account.live.com/acsr

    

How to Login to Hotmail — Step by Step

Select your device below. Hotmail sign-in works identically whether your address is @hotmail.com, @hotmail.co.uk, @outlook.com, or @live.com.

Go to outlook.live.com Open your preferred browser — Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari — and navigate to outlook.live.com. You can also type hotmail.com directly — Microsoft keeps this redirect permanently active. Always verify the URL ends in microsoft.com or live.com before entering your password to avoid phishing pages.
Enter your Hotmail address Type your full email address including the domain — for example, yourname@hotmail.com, yourname@hotmail.co.uk, or yourname@live.com. All Microsoft email domains work on the same sign-in form. Click Next to proceed.
Enter your Microsoft account password Type your password carefully — Microsoft passwords are case-sensitive. If you use a password manager, allow it to autofill here. Click Sign in to continue.
Complete 2-Step Verification (if enabled) If two-step verification is active on your account, Microsoft will present one of the following options: approve a push notification in the Microsoft Authenticator app, enter a 6-digit code from the Authenticator app, enter an SMS code sent to your registered phone number, or click a verification link sent to your recovery email address. Complete whichever option is shown.
Choose whether to stay signed in Microsoft asks "Stay signed in?" — click Yes on a personal computer you own and trust to remain logged in across browser sessions. Click No on shared, public, or employer-owned computers to sign out automatically when you close the browser.
Your Hotmail inbox loads You are now in Outlook.com — the modern interface for your Hotmail account. All your existing emails, folders, contacts, and settings are exactly where you left them. Bookmark outlook.live.com/mail/ for direct inbox access without going through the sign-in page each time.

💡 Pro Tip: Bookmark outlook.live.com/mail/inbox for direct access to your Hotmail inbox. On Microsoft Edge, you can also pin Outlook.com as a PWA (Progressive Web App) via the browser menu → Apps → Install this site as an app — it opens like a desktop application without a browser toolbar.

Download the Microsoft Outlook app Search for Microsoft Outlook on the Google Play Store and install it. The app is free and officially supported by Microsoft for all Hotmail, Outlook.com, and Live.com accounts. Avoid third-party email apps that claim Hotmail support — the official Outlook app is always the most reliable choice.
Open Outlook and tap "Add Account" Launch the Outlook app. On the welcome screen tap Add Account. If you already have another account configured and want to add your Hotmail account, tap the menu icon (three lines) → Settings → Add Account → Add Email Account.
Enter your Hotmail address Type your full @hotmail.com address and tap Continue. The app will detect the account type automatically and route you to the correct Microsoft sign-in flow.
Enter your Microsoft password Type your Microsoft account password on the sign-in screen and tap Sign in. Use the eye icon to reveal what you are typing if you need to check for errors.
Approve 2-Step Verification If two-step verification is enabled, Microsoft will send a push notification to your phone via the Microsoft Authenticator app — tap Approve. Alternatively, enter the SMS code sent to your registered phone number, or the code from your Authenticator app.
Your Hotmail inbox is synced Outlook will sync your Hotmail inbox automatically. You can also add Google Calendar, iCloud, or other email accounts to the same Outlook app for a unified inbox experience across all your email accounts.

💡 Pro Tip: Android users can also add Hotmail at the system level via Settings → Accounts → Add Account → Outlook/Hotmail. This syncs your Hotmail email, contacts, and calendar simultaneously across the device without needing to open each app individually.

Download Microsoft Outlook from the App Store Search for Microsoft Outlook in the App Store and install it. The app is free, published by Microsoft Corporation, and compatible with iOS 16 and later. It provides the best Hotmail experience on iPhone with features not available in Apple Mail.
Open the app and tap "Add Account" Launch the Outlook app. On the welcome screen, tap Add Account. If you have already used the app with another account, tap the profile icon → Settings → Add Mail Account.
Enter your Hotmail address Type your full @hotmail.com address and tap Add Account. Microsoft's sign-in page will open within the app to handle authentication securely.
Enter your Microsoft password Type your password on the Microsoft sign-in screen and tap Sign in. If you have saved your Microsoft credentials to iCloud Keychain, you can use Face ID or Touch ID to autofill.
Complete 2-Step Verification if required Approve the login via a push notification in the Microsoft Authenticator app, enter the SMS code sent to your registered phone number, or enter the code from your Authenticator app. Once verified, your inbox will load.
Add Hotmail to Apple Mail (optional) To read your Hotmail messages in Apple's built-in Mail app, go to Settings → Mail → Accounts → Add Account → Outlook.com and sign in with your @hotmail.com address. This also syncs your Hotmail calendar and contacts with the iPhone's native Calendar and Contacts apps.

💡 Pro Tip: The Microsoft Outlook app on iPhone supports Focused Inbox (which separates important emails from everything else), integrated calendar with meeting scheduling, and Focus Mode filtering — features not available in Apple Mail. Worth using if you manage a high-volume inbox.

Hotmail Login on Different Browsers

Outlook.com works across all modern browsers. Here is what to know for the most commonly used ones.

🔵

Microsoft Edge

Best experience for Hotmail — Edge is Microsoft's own browser and integrates seamlessly with Outlook.com. You can install it as a PWA app (browser menu → Apps → Install this site) for a desktop-app-like experience. Edge also supports autofill of Microsoft passwords via the built-in password manager.

🟡

Google Chrome

Works perfectly. Go to outlook.live.com and sign in normally. Chrome's password manager can save your Microsoft credentials. If the sign-in page fails to load, clear cache via Settings → Privacy → Clear browsing data, then try again.

🦊

Mozilla Firefox

Full Outlook.com support. Sign in at outlook.live.com as normal. Firefox's built-in password manager saves your Microsoft password for faster future logins. If sign-in loops or freezes, try disabling strict Enhanced Tracking Protection for microsoft.com and live.com temporarily.

🧭

Safari (Mac / iPhone)

Hotmail works in Safari on both Mac and iPhone. Use iCloud Keychain to autofill your Microsoft password. If Outlook.com loads slowly or shows display issues, go to Safari → Settings → Clear History and Website Data, then reload outlook.live.com.

ℹ️ Incognito / Private Mode: Signing into Hotmail in a private browsing window keeps your session isolated. You are logged out automatically when the window closes and no cookies or history are saved. Use this when signing into your Hotmail account on a shared or borrowed computer.

Hotmail Login Not Working — Common Problems & Fixes

The most frequent Hotmail sign-in issues and how to resolve them quickly.

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Forgot Password

Your Microsoft account password is being rejected, or you cannot remember it. Do not repeatedly guess — too many failed attempts will trigger a temporary account lock.

→ Reset your password

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Forgot Email Address

You cannot remember which @hotmail.com, @outlook.com, or @live.com address you registered. Use Microsoft's account lookup tool to find it using your recovery phone or email.

→ Find your account

🚫

Account Blocked or Locked

Microsoft locked your account due to detected suspicious activity, a policy issue, or too many consecutive failed login attempts. The password reset page is your starting point.

→ Unlock your account

📱

2FA Code Not Working

The verification code expired before you entered it, is not arriving via SMS, or your Authenticator app is showing an incorrect code due to a device clock sync issue.

→ Manage verification methods

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Outlook Page Not Loading

Outlook.com loads as a blank screen, freezes mid-sign-in, or keeps redirecting in a loop. Almost always caused by corrupted browser cache or cookie data.

→ See browser fix steps

⏳

Account Inactive / Closed

Microsoft automatically closes Hotmail accounts that have not been signed into for 2 or more years. The email address may be permanently deleted and unrecoverable.

→ Contact Microsoft support

🛠️ Outlook.com Not Loading — Browser Fix: Clear your browser cache and cookies via Settings → Privacy → Clear browsing data. Set the time range to "All time." Then open a new incognito or private window and go to outlook.live.com. If it works in private mode but not in your main browser session, the issue is corrupted stored data — clearing it resolves the problem.

On Android or iPhone, go to your device Settings → Apps → Outlook → Storage → Clear Cache. Force-close the app and reopen it. If the issue continues, uninstall and reinstall the Outlook app from the Play Store or App Store.

⚠️ Inactive Account Warning: Microsoft automatically closes Hotmail and Outlook.com accounts that have not been signed into for 2 consecutive years. Once closed, the email address and all associated data are permanently deleted and cannot be recovered. Sign in to your Hotmail account at least once every 12 months to keep it active.

Hotmail Account Recovery — Step-by-Step Guide

Locked out of your Hotmail account? Follow these steps in order. The process depends on what recovery information you previously set up.

1

Go to Microsoft's account recovery page

Type account.live.com/password/reset directly into your browser's address bar. Enter your @hotmail.com address and click Next. Do not start recovery from a link inside an email — always type the URL directly to avoid phishing pages.
2

Choose your available verification method

Microsoft will display the options available based on what recovery information you previously configured. Options may include: a code sent to your recovery email address, a code sent via SMS to your recovery phone number, or approval via the Microsoft Authenticator app. Select whichever you currently have access to.
3

Enter the verification code

Check your recovery email or registered phone number for the one-time verification code. Codes are typically valid for 10 minutes — enter it promptly. If the code expires, request a new one from the same page.
4

Use the manual recovery form if all options fail

If you have lost access to all your recovery methods — both the recovery email and phone — go to account.live.com/acsr, Microsoft's manual account recovery form. Answer all questions as accurately as possible. Microsoft reviews these submissions manually and uses your answers to verify account ownership. Previous passwords, the approximate account creation date, frequently emailed contacts, and subjects of old emails all help your case.
5

Create a new strong password

Once Microsoft verifies your identity, you will be directed to the password reset screen. Create a new password of at least 12 characters, combining uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Do not reuse a password you have used on any other website or service.
6

Sign in with your new password

Return to outlook.live.com and sign in using your Hotmail address and the new password. If you use a password manager, update the saved entry for your Microsoft Account immediately.
7

Update your recovery information immediately

After regaining access, go to account.microsoft.com → Security → Update your security info. Add or update your recovery phone number and recovery email address. Also review the list of devices and recent sign-in activity to check for any unauthorised access, and remove any sessions or devices you do not recognise.

✅ Manual Recovery Tips: The manual recovery form (account.live.com/acsr) works best when you can provide as many accurate details as possible — previous passwords, the subjects of emails you sent or received, the names of contacts you emailed frequently, the month and year you created the account, and any Microsoft services you used (Xbox, OneDrive, Skype). The more specific and accurate your answers, the stronger your case for account recovery.

Hotmail Account Security — Keep Your Account Safe in 2026

Your Hotmail account connects to OneDrive, Microsoft 365, Xbox, Skype, and Teams. These steps protect it against unauthorised access.

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Enable 2-Step Verification

Go to account.microsoft.com → Security → Advanced security options → Two-step verification and turn it on. Use the Microsoft Authenticator app for the strongest protection — push approval is more secure than SMS codes alone.

🔒

Use a Strong, Unique Password

At least 12 characters combining uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols. Never reuse your Hotmail password across other websites. Use a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password to generate and store strong passwords securely.

📋

Review Recent Sign-In Activity

Go to account.microsoft.com → Security → Review recent activity regularly. If you see a sign-in from a device or location you do not recognise, click it and select This wasn't me. Change your password immediately and enable 2FA if not already active.

🎣

Recognise Phishing Attempts

Microsoft will never email you asking for your password or send you a login link out of the blue. If you receive such an email, do not click any links — go directly to outlook.live.com in a new browser tab instead.

📱

Use Microsoft Authenticator App

The free Microsoft Authenticator app (iOS and Android) provides time-based codes and push approval notifications. It is significantly more secure than receiving SMS codes and works even without a mobile data connection once set up.

📧

Keep Recovery Info Current

Outdated recovery information is the leading cause of permanent Hotmail account loss. Review and update your recovery phone number and email yearly at account.microsoft.com/security — especially after changing phone numbers.

Hotmail IMAP & SMTP Settings 2026

Use these server settings to connect your Hotmail account to third-party email clients like Mozilla Thunderbird, Apple Mail, or your phone's default mail app.

These settings apply to all Microsoft personal email addresses: @hotmail.com, @hotmail.co.uk, @outlook.com, @live.com, and @msn.com. Before configuring a third-party client, make sure IMAP is enabled in your Outlook settings: go to outlook.live.com → Settings (gear icon) → Mail → Sync email → POP and IMAP → Let devices and apps use IMAP and toggle it on.

Protocol	Server Address	Port	Encryption
IMAP (Incoming Mail)	`outlook.office365.com`	`993`	SSL / TLS
SMTP (Outgoing Mail)	`smtp.office365.com`	`587`	STARTTLS
POP3 (Alternative Incoming)	`outlook.office365.com`	`995`	SSL / TLS

💡 Important: Use your full @hotmail.com address as the username — not just the part before the @. Your regular Microsoft Account password should work for third-party mail clients unless you have Modern Authentication issues, in which case you may need to generate an app password at account.microsoft.com → Security → Advanced security options → App passwords.

Frequently Asked Questions — Hotmail Login

The most commonly asked questions about Hotmail sign-in, account access, the Outlook rebrand, and related issues.

What is the Hotmail login page URL?

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The current Hotmail sign-in page is outlook.live.com. Typing hotmail.com in your browser redirects there automatically — Microsoft keeps this redirect permanently active. Your @hotmail.com address works on the sign-in form exactly as it always did. You can also access the sign-in page via outlook.com, which routes through the same Microsoft authentication system.

Is Hotmail the same as Outlook?

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Yes — they are the same service. Microsoft rebranded Hotmail as Outlook.com in 2013. All @hotmail.com, @hotmail.co.uk, and @live.com addresses remained fully active through the transition and continue to receive email normally in 2026. The rebrand changed the interface and brand name but nothing was deleted, migrated, or lost. You simply sign in at outlook.live.com instead of the old hotmail.com sign-in page.

Hotmail login not working — what should I do?

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Start by clearing your browser cache and cookies (Settings → Privacy → Clear browsing data, set to "All time"), then try signing in through an incognito or private window at outlook.live.com. If it works in private mode but not your main browser, the issue is corrupted stored data — clearing it fixes the problem. On mobile, clear the Outlook app cache from device Settings → Apps → Outlook → Storage → Clear Cache. If the issue is a forgotten or wrong password, go to account.live.com/password/reset.

How do I recover my Hotmail account?

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Go to account.live.com/password/reset for a standard password reset using your recovery email or phone number. If you have lost access to all your recovery options, use Microsoft's manual recovery form at account.live.com/acsr. Provide as many accurate account details as possible — previous passwords, contacts you emailed regularly, account creation date, and any Microsoft services you used. Microsoft reviews these submissions manually.

Is Hotmail still active in 2026?

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Yes. All @hotmail.com email addresses remain fully active, receive email normally, and are supported by Microsoft's Outlook.com platform with no announced end date. The only real threat to your account is extended inactivity — Microsoft automatically closes accounts that have not been signed into for 2 or more consecutive years, permanently deleting the address and all associated data. Sign in at least once per year to keep your account active.

Can I use my Hotmail address on iPhone and Android?

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Yes. Download the Microsoft Outlook app from the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play Store (Android) and sign in with your @hotmail.com address and Microsoft password. On iPhone, you can alternatively add Hotmail to Apple Mail via Settings → Mail → Accounts → Add Account → Outlook.com. On Android, you can add it system-wide via Settings → Accounts → Add Account → Outlook/Hotmail.

How do I sign in to Hotmail on a different browser?

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Outlook.com works on all modern browsers — Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari. Open any of these browsers, go to outlook.live.com, and enter your @hotmail.com address and Microsoft password. Each browser maintains its own separate login session, so being signed into Hotmail in Edge does not automatically sign you in on Chrome or Firefox.

Why is Microsoft asking me to verify my identity when I log in?

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Microsoft runs automatic security checks and may require additional verification when it detects a sign-in from a new device, a different geographic location, or an unusual pattern compared to your normal usage. This is a legitimate security feature. Verify your identity using the method Microsoft presents — Authenticator app approval, SMS code, or recovery email code. If you did not initiate the sign-in attempt, deny the request immediately and go to account.microsoft.com/security to review recent activity and change your password.

Hotmail Login – Sign In to Your Hotmail Account (outlook.live.com)