Cannot Log In To Microsoft Outlook

I am unable to sign in to my Outlook email account. I have had the problem for at least three days.

I am using an Aspire XC-840 desktop PC running Microsoft Windows 11 Home 23H2 64 bit (with Windows up-to-date).

When I try to log onto Outlook I enter my username and click on ‘Next’. I then enter my password and then click on ‘Next’. Instead of my email account opening I get a plain white Window with the following error message in the top lefthand corner: “Please retry with a different device or other authentication method to sign in. For more details, please see this link”. I have taken a screenprint of the error message, which I attach as Img01.

The words ‘this link’ are a hyperlink to the following webpage. It shows on that webpage that I should click on ‘Other ways to sign in’ (please see Img02). However, as can be seen in attached Img03, which is a screenprint of what I actually get, I am not given this option that Microsoft says I should have.

I would like advice on what problem do I have and how can I solve.

 

What browser? Have you tried a different browser? Tried resetting the browser?

 

Thank yo for replying to my request for assistance.

Mozilla Firefox.

I have not. I do not see why I should because Firefox is a major browser and Microsoft should have Outlook work with it. Having not considered this possibility I will try it today and report back what happens.

I have not and again I do wonder why I should have to do this.

For the avoidance of doubt, I do not want you to think I am replying in a negative manner after you have been kind enough to reply to me. My negativity is directed towards Microsoft.

 

Are you accessing Outlook via a shortcut/bookmark or by typing the address into the browser? Try this link: https://outlook.live.com/mail/0/
Do you have 2 factor authentication enabled on your Microsoft account? If yes then how do you usually receive the code to confirm log in?
Otherwise try incognito mode on the browser, try signing in on any other device you have previously used, try a different browser preferably a non Chrome based one, delete cookies, cache for the browser or restart your router.

 

Well, I use Firefox too, have nothing against it yet MS uses a Chromium based browser, so I'd imagine they make sure their browser has a better experience.
But it could just be a bad cookie or buried browser setting that a cleaning - reset might fix.
Just trying a different browser helps narrow down the issue.
In a perfect world you shouldn't have to do this, but we're living in a Win 11 - vibe coded patching world now.

 

I normally access Outlook via a bookmark. Being aware this may be a problem I searched for Outlook on Google and logged in on the Microsoft Outlook page. That results in the same problem.

I do not use two factor authentication.

I have tried a different browser as recommended by foogoo, namly MS Edge; however, I have the same problem.

I forgot to mention in my OP I have tried a different device, namely my iPhone, and I still have the same problem.

 

Bearing in mind what I wrote in post #6, do you think it still worth trying to reset my browser?

I may have a bad cookie but I always reject as many cookies as possible. I'm in the UK and it's law websites must provide this option.

I don't know whether it's a cookie or anything but at the end of each day before I turn off I clean my PC with Glary Utilities so I wouldn't have thought any bit of random something may be causing this issue but I don't know enough about computers to say this with any certainty.

 

Have you tried my suggestion for incognito mode &/or clearing the browser’s cookies & cache?
Can you sign in to your Microsoft account rather than outlook to see if it’s an account or outlook problem?

Using disk cleaning tools may have deleted or changed something important. It was updated early Feb so may have added or upgraded a feature which is affecting the browsers.

Have you tried restarting the router/modem?

As it’s affecting not just the pc but other (non Microsoft) devices it must be an account problem rather than browser/PC.

 

No, because I don't know what that is.

I have Firefox set to do this automatically when I close it plus the disk cleaing tool does that.

I don't know if that's happened and if it has it's done but nothing else I sign into has been affected.

Not yet and partly because I'm not the only one with devices connected to it.

I'll try to log in to Microsoft. I hadn't considered that because I literally log in to my email and nothing else on Microsoft.

 

My problem is resolved. I do not know exactly what fixed it but I did the following.

I googled, "login to my microsoft account". I went to the Microsoft page it came up with. I signed in and my account opened fine. I clicked on Outlook and accessed my emails. I logged out. I did what the Microsoft log out page recommened, i.e. closed my browser.

I re-opened my browser. Clicked on my bookmark for Outlook and I was able to log in to my email account in the usual way.

Thank to @foogoo and @Goddess Bastet for your help. I appreicate it.

 

Incognito mode is in private browsing - no trackers, no cookies saved - Open Firefox and click on the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner, then select new private window from the drop-down menu.

Glad to hear the problem has been resolved.

 

Okay, I understand now. I always use Firefox in private browsing.

 

Thanks for the update.

 

Let me clarify one thing...

This is false.
Check out the market https://gs.statcounter.com/browser-market-share/ from January 2026.
Note: I use FF on all our Windows computers but I know it has a dwindling user base.

 

I have had a look at the data. Of the four most popular browsers only Chrome has shown an increase in users. Firefox has has a 12% reduction in users with Safari showing a similar loss at 11%. Edge has had an almost 18% reduction in users. The graph also demonstrates that Firefox user numbers have remained fairly consistent.

As the fourth most used browser and the fact many websites say the are set up to be readily accessed via Firefox I dont agree it's false to call Firefox a major browser.

 

We will have to disagree on what constitutes major. As a former math teacher, anything with less than 3% of 100% is not major. FF is a browser but not a major one.

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/major
Prominent or significant in size.

I still use Windows 7 and FF is ending support for it. It is the only browser that has seen security updates for Windows 7. So, you'll probably have a further drop in market shares as Windows 7 users stop browsing with old Windows 7 computers.
I have 2 android tablets and 2 chromebooks ready to take over my daily browsing. I use chrome to browse on them just because it has tabs; something Mozilla can't seem to figure out on android and chromeOS.

 

Yes, we will.

As a biology lecturer I find that an unusual way to express it. Per cent means per one hundred so it seems the '... of 100% ...' is tautologous. I'm not a mathematician but have never heard that 3% is a cut off point for something to be declared as major.

We're agreeing to differ but you're going to keep saying this.