How to Fix Outlook Error 500: Something Went Wrong in 2025

Encountering Outlook Error 500: Something Went Wrong can be a real headache. Whether you’re trying to check emails, manage your calendar, or send a message, this error can stop you in your tracks. But don’t worry! This comprehensive guide will walk you through why this error happens, how to fix it, and how to prevent it. This article is packed with actionable steps, tips, and tools to get your Outlook back on track.

What Is Outlook Error 500: Something Went Wrong?

Outlook Error 500 is an internal server error that typically occurs when using Outlook Web Access (OWA) or the web version of Outlook. It’s often accompanied by messages like:

• “Something went wrong. Please try again later.”
• “Repeating redirects detected.”
• “Mailbox not found.”
• “Protocol disabled.”
• “UserHasNoMailboxAndNoLicenseAssignedError.”

This error prevents you from accessing your emails, calendar, or other Outlook features. It’s frustrating, but the good news is that it’s usually fixable with the right steps.

Why Does Outlook Error 500 Happen?

Understanding the root causes of Outlook Error 500 is the first step to fixing it. Here are the most common reasons:

• Server Issues: Microsoft’s servers may be down, undergoing maintenance, or experiencing internal errors.
• Browser Cache/Cookies: Corrupted or outdated browser cache can interfere with Outlook’s web access.
• Account Misconfigurations: Incorrect mailbox settings, missing licenses, or too many admin roles can trigger the error.
• Large Attachments: Sending emails with oversized attachments can overload the server.
• Outdated Outlook Version: An old version of Outlook may have compatibility issues.
• Network Problems: Unstable internet or firewall/antivirus settings can block Outlook’s connection.
• Add-Ins Conflicts: Outdated or conflicting add-ins can disrupt Outlook’s functionality.
• Syncing Delays: Delays in syncing connected accounts (e.g., Gmail) can cause errors.

In 2025, posts on X also reported widespread Outlook Error 500 issues, with users unable to access mailboxes across web, mobile, and desktop apps, indicating possible server-side outages.

Step-by-Step Solutions to Fix Outlook Error 500

Let’s dive into the most effective solutions to resolve Outlook Error 500: Something Went Wrong. Try these in order, as they start with the simplest fixes.

1. Check Microsoft 365 Service Health

Since Outlook Error 500 is often a server-side issue, start by checking if Microsoft’s servers are down.

• How to Check:
  • Visit portal.office.com/servicestatus.
  • Sign in with your Microsoft 365 credentials.
  • Go to Health > Service Health > All Services.
  • Look for issues with Microsoft 365 Suite or Exchange Online.
• What to Do: If there’s an outage, wait for Microsoft to resolve it. Recent X posts (July 10, 2025) suggest Microsoft has deployed fixes for server issues, so check for updates.

Pro Tip: Only administrators can access detailed service health reports. If you’re not an admin, try the next solutions.

2. Clear Browser Cache and Cookies

A corrupted browser cache or cookies can cause Outlook Error 500. Clearing them is a quick fix.

• Steps to Clear Cache:
  • Google Chrome:
    1. Click the three dots (top-right) > Settings > Privacy and Security.
    2. Select Clear Browsing Data.
    3. Choose Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files.
    4. Click Clear Data.
  • Microsoft Edge:
    1. Click the three dots > Settings > Privacy, Search, and Services.
    2. Under Clear browsing data, click Choose what to clear.
    3. Select Cookies and Cached files, then click Clear now.
  • Firefox:
    1. Click the menu (three lines) > Settings > Privacy & Security.
    2. Scroll to Cookies and Site Data > Clear Data.
    3. Check both options and click Clear.
• After Clearing: Restart your browser and try accessing Outlook at outlook.office.com.

Alternative: Use an incognito/private browsing mode to bypass cache issues. If this works, clear your regular browser’s cache.

3. Try a Different Browser or Device

Sometimes, the issue is specific to your browser or device.

• Test Another Browser: If you’re using Chrome, try Firefox, Edge, or Safari.
• Use Another Device: Access Outlook on a different device, like a phone or tablet. Some users reported success using the Outlook mobile app when the web version failed.
• Alternative URLs: If outlook.office.com fails, try:
  • mail.office365.com
  • outlook.live.com
  • outlook.office365.com

4. Update Outlook

An outdated Outlook version can cause compatibility issues leading to Error 500.

• For Outlook Desktop App:
  1. Open Outlook.
  2. Go to File > Office Account.
  3. Under Update Options, click Update Now.
  4. Install any available updates and restart your computer.
• For Web Version: The web version updates automatically, but ensure your browser is up to date.

5. Check Your Internet Connection

A weak or unstable internet connection can trigger Outlook Error 500.

• Steps to Verify:
  • Test your connection by visiting other websites (e.g., google.com).
  • Restart your router.
  • Disable VPN or firewall temporarily to rule out interference.
• Flush DNS:
  1. Open Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Mac).
  2. Type ipconfig /flushdns (Windows) or sudo dscacheutil -flushcache (Mac) and press Enter.
  3. Restart your device and try again.

6. Disable Browser Extensions

Browser extensions can interfere with Outlook’s web access.

• How to Disable:
  • In Chrome: Go to Settings > Extensions > Toggle off extensions one by one.
  • In Edge: Click Extensions > Manage Extensions > Disable extensions.
  • In Firefox: Go to Add-ons and Themes > Disable extensions.
• Test: Access Outlook after disabling extensions. If it works, identify the problematic extension and remove it.

7. Enable Outlook Web Access (Admin Only)

If you see “Protocol disabled” or “Repeating redirects detected,” the Outlook Web Access (OWA) setting may be disabled.

• Steps for Admins:
  1. Go to admin.microsoft.com and sign in.
  2. Navigate to Recipients > Mailboxes.
  3. Select the affected user’s account.
  4. Under Email apps & mobile devices, click Manage email apps settings.
  5. Toggle Outlook on the web to On and click Save.
• Note: If you’re not an admin, contact your IT department.

8. Check Mailbox and License Settings (Admin Only)

The error “UserHasNoMailboxAndNoLicenseAssignedError” means the account lacks a mailbox or Exchange Online license.

• Steps for Admins:
  1. Sign in to admin.microsoft.com.
  2. Go to Users > Active Users > Select the affected user.
  3. Check if an Exchange Online license is assigned.
  4. If not, assign the license or remove and re-add it.
  5. Verify the mailbox exists in Exchange Admin Center > Recipients > Mailboxes.
• For Users: Contact your IT admin to verify your account settings.

9. Remove Excess Admin Roles (Admin Only)

Too many admin roles can cause “Repeating redirects detected” errors.

• Steps:
  1. Sign in to admin.microsoft.com.
  2. Go to Users > Active Users > Select the user.
  3. Click Manage roles.
  4. Uncheck all roles except Global Administrator and click Save.
• Wait: Try accessing Outlook after a few minutes.

10. Check for Large Attachments

Sending emails with large or multiple attachments can overload the server, causing Error 500.

• Solution:
  • Send emails without attachments to test.
  • Upload large files to a cloud service (e.g., OneDrive, Google Drive) and share the link instead.
  • Contact your admin to increase attachment size limits if needed.

11. Disable Outlook Add-Ins

Conflicting add-ins can cause errors in the Outlook desktop app.

• Steps:
  1. Open Outlook.
  2. Go to File > Options > Add-ins.
  3. Select COM Add-ins and click Go.
  4. Uncheck all add-ins and click OK.
  5. Restart Outlook and check if the error is gone.

12. Run Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant (SaRA)

Microsoft’s SaRA tool can diagnose and fix Outlook issues automatically.

• Steps:
  1. Download SaRA from Microsoft’s website.
  2. Run the tool and select Outlook.
  3. Follow the prompts to diagnose and repair issues.

13. Reinstall Outlook (Last Resort)

If none of the above work, your Outlook installation may be corrupted.

• Steps for Windows:
  1. Go to Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a Program.
  2. Select Microsoft Office and click Uninstall.
  3. Reinstall Office from office.com.
• Steps for Mac:
  1. Quit all Office apps.
  2. Drag the Outlook app to the Trash.
  3. Reinstall from the Mac App Store or office.com.

14. Contact Microsoft Support

If the error persists, it may require server-side fixes or advanced troubleshooting.

• How to Contact:
  • Visit support.microsoft.com.
  • Use the Get Help app in Windows.
  • Call Microsoft Support or contact your IT admin.

Advanced Solution: Recover Missing Data

If you fix Outlook Error 500 but find missing emails or data, your Outlook OST file may be corrupted. Use a tool like Stellar Converter for OST to recover data.

• Steps:
  1. Download and install Stellar Converter for OST.
  2. Select the corrupted OST file.
  3. Convert it to PST format and import it into Outlook.

Note: Always back up your OST file before attempting repairs.

Preventing Outlook Error 500 in the Future

To avoid Outlook Error 500 in 2025, follow these tips:

• Keep Outlook Updated: Regularly check for updates to avoid compatibility issues.
• Clear Cache Monthly: Clear your browser cache to prevent corruption.
• Monitor Service Health: Check portal.office.com/servicestatus during outages.
• Use Stable Internet: Ensure a reliable connection and avoid VPNs unless necessary.
• Limit Attachments: Upload large files to the cloud instead of attaching them.
• Manage Add-Ins: Disable unused add-ins to prevent conflicts.

Common Variations of Outlook Error 500

Here’s a quick look at common Outlook Error 500 messages and their fixes:

Error Message	Likely Cause	Solution
Something went wrong	Server issues, cache problems	Check service health, clear cache
Repeating redirects detected	Too many admin roles	Remove excess roles
Mailbox not found	Missing mailbox/license	Assign Exchange Online license
Protocol disabled	OWA disabled	Enable Outlook Web Access
UserHasNoMailboxAndNoLicenseAssignedError	License issue	Reassign license in Admin Center

FAQs About Outlook Error 500

Why does Outlook Error 500 keep happening?

It’s usually due to server outages, corrupted cache, or misconfigured account settings. Check Microsoft’s service status first.

Can I fix Outlook Error 500 without admin access?

Yes, try clearing your browser cache, using a different browser, or checking your internet connection. For admin-specific issues, contact your IT department.

Does Outlook Error 500 affect the mobile app?

Yes, it can affect all connection methods (web, mobile, desktop) if it’s a server-side issue.

How long does it take to resolve Outlook Error 500?

Server-side issues may resolve in a few hours after Microsoft deploys a fix. Client-side issues (e.g., cache) can be fixed in minutes.

Conclusion: Get Back to Your Emails Fast

Outlook Error 500: Something Went Wrong can disrupt your workflow, but it’s manageable with the right steps. Start by checking Microsoft’s service health, clear your browser cache, and try alternative browsers or devices. For admins, verify mailbox settings and licenses. If all else fails, tools like Stellar Converter or Microsoft Support can help.

Don’t let this error slow you down! Follow these steps, and you’ll be back to managing your emails in no time. Have you faced this error? Share your experience or questions in the comments below!

Resource: For more troubleshooting tips, visit Microsoft’s Outlook Support Page.