Problem:
A login redirect loop occurs when you try to sign in to Outlook or Hotmail through Chrome, but instead of reaching your inbox, the page keeps sending you back to the sign-in screen. Even after typing the correct username, password, and two-factor authentication code, the cycle repeats.
Typical symptoms include:
- Entering your credentials, only to be redirected back to the login page.
- Seeing “Please sign in again” or “Redirecting…” messages with no progress.
- Being able to log in on other browsers or mobile apps, but not on Chrome.
- Outlook failing to load emails while continuously asking for credentials.
This issue is especially frustrating for professionals and students who rely on Chrome as their main browser for email, productivity tools, and Microsoft 365 apps.
Solution:
The Outlook login redirect loop in Chrome usually happens due to cookie/session issues, cached data conflicts, or outdated browser settings. Here’s a detailed step-by-step guide to fix it:
1. Check Microsoft’s Service Status First
Before making changes to your browser, confirm it’s not a global outage.
- Visit status.office.com to check if Outlook or Microsoft 365 is experiencing issues.
- Follow @MSFT365Status on Twitter/X for official updates.
- If the issue is widespread, you may just need to wait.
2. Clear Cookies & Cache in Chrome
Corrupted cookies often cause login loops.
- Open Chrome → Click the three-dot menu → Settings.
- Go to Privacy and Security → Clear browsing data.
- Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files.
- Restart Chrome and try logging in again.
3. Use Incognito or Guest Mode
- Press Ctrl + Shift + N (Windows) or Command + Shift + N (Mac) to open an Incognito window.
- Try logging into Outlook.com again. If it works here, the issue is with cached data or extensions in your normal browser mode.
4. Disable Problematic Extensions
Ad blockers, VPN extensions, or outdated plugins can break the login process.
- Go to chrome://extensions/ and disable extensions one by one.
- After disabling, reload Outlook and test the login.
5. Check Browser Updates
- Go to chrome://settings/help and let Chrome update to the latest version.
- Outdated browsers may not support Microsoft’s modern authentication correctly.
6. Reset Chrome Settings (Last Resort)
If none of the above works:
- Go to chrome://settings/reset → Restore settings to their original defaults.
- This will reset extensions, cache, and settings, but won’t delete your saved passwords.
- After resetting, try logging in again.
7. Alternative Access Until Fixed
If Chrome still fails, use another method temporarily:
- Outlook Mobile App (Android/iOS) – usually unaffected.
- Outlook Desktop App – cached mail is often still available.
- Other browsers like Edge or Firefox.
- IMAP/SMTP in third-party clients such as Thunderbird, Apple Mail, or even Gmail’s import feature.
Final Thoughts
The Outlook login redirect loop in Chrome is a common issue caused by corrupted cookies, browser extensions, or outdated settings. While it can be frustrating to enter your password repeatedly and still be bounced back to the login page, most users resolve the problem by clearing cache, using incognito mode, or disabling extensions.
If the issue persists across all browsers and devices, it may be part of a larger Microsoft outage, which only the company can resolve. In that case, monitor the official service status page and wait for updates. In the meantime, rely on mobile or desktop apps to stay connected and avoid disruptions.
