Problem:
Outlook Web (Outlook.com or Microsoft 365 webmail) is a convenient way to check your emails without installing additional software. However, some users report an endless refresh loop whenever they try to log in.
The issue typically looks like this:
- After entering your login details, the page refreshes repeatedly.
- Outlook never loads the mailbox and keeps bouncing back to the sign-in page.
- Even with the correct password, you can’t access your account.
- The problem happens mostly on Google Chrome but may also occur on other browsers.
- Outlook mobile or desktop apps often continue working normally, showing this is a web-session issue.
For everyday users, this means missing emails and messages. For businesses, it can disrupt meetings, delay client responses, and cause productivity losses.
Solution:
The constant page refresh loop is usually caused by issues with cached cookies, authentication tokens, or browser compatibility. Here’s how you can fix it step by step:
1. Check Microsoft’s Service Health
- Go to status.office.com and check if Outlook Web is experiencing an outage.
- Follow @MSFT365Status on Twitter/X for real-time updates.
- If it’s a global issue, you may need to wait for Microsoft to resolve it.
2. Clear Cookies and Cache in Your Browser
- In Chrome: Menu → Settings → Privacy & Security → Clear browsing data.
- Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images/files.
- Restart Chrome and try logging in again.
Outlook’s login system heavily depends on cookies, and outdated session data can trigger the refresh loop.
3. Try Incognito Mode or Another Browser
- Open an Incognito/Private window and try logging in.
- If Outlook works there, the issue is linked to your saved cookies or extensions in normal browsing mode.
- As a quick fix, use another browser like Microsoft Edge or Firefox.
4. Disable or Remove Browser Extensions
- Extensions like ad blockers, VPN plugins, or password managers can interfere with Outlook login.
- Go to chrome://extensions/ and temporarily disable extensions one by one.
- Refresh Outlook after disabling each to find the culprit.
5. Check for Browser Updates
- Go to chrome://settings/help to ensure Chrome is up-to-date.
- Outdated browsers may not fully support Microsoft’s authentication features.
6. Reset Chrome Settings (If Nothing Works)
- Go to chrome://settings/reset → Restore settings to original defaults.
- This clears conflicting settings and resets extensions.
- After reset, sign in again with your Microsoft account.
7. Use Alternative Access Until Fixed
If the web version continues looping, you can still access your email:
- Outlook Mobile App (Android/iOS) – often unaffected by browser issues.
- Outlook Desktop App – cached mail is usually accessible offline.
- Third-Party Clients (IMAP/SMTP) – apps like Thunderbird or Apple Mail can fetch your emails.
Final Thoughts
The Outlook Web login refresh loop is usually caused by cookie or browser issues, but it can also happen during Microsoft outages. By clearing cache, using Incognito mode, disabling extensions, or updating Chrome, most users can fix the issue quickly.
If the problem persists across multiple browsers and devices, it’s likely a Microsoft service outage, and you’ll need to monitor the official status page for updates. In the meantime, rely on mobile or desktop apps to continue accessing your email.
