Outlook broken – and suddenly life is… …calmer?

What happens when emails suddenly stop coming? That's right: Either it's vacation time or Microsoft has messed up. This time, it's the latter.

Since Wednesday noon, 9 July 2025, There is an absolute mail standstill in OutlookMillions of users worldwide, including many of us email junkies in Germany, have been checking their inboxes for hours in vain.

No ping, no pling and no annoying newsletter with: “Today only, 20% off everything except pet food.”

No emails, no panic – or should I?

Everyone who uses Outlook is affected. Whether in the browser, on the desktop, or on mobile, the inbox remains empty. As empty as the promise: "We'll call you back." Even the clever Microsoft Copilot is partially out of the running and can't tell anyone what's going on.

At least Microsoft now knows what's wrong (yeah!) and is currently rolling out a fix (well... ha ha). It may take a while, though, before it reaches everyone. So keep breathing deeply.

It works without email – almost

Let's be honest: There's something to be said for a life without emails. For example:

◉ When using online banking, you won't have that uneasy feeling that someone has just changed your password (but not you).

◉ When ordering online, you won't be bombarded with 27 shipping updates ("Your package has left the distribution center" – for the fourth time today).

◉ No “important note about your invoice” from dubious providers from whom you have never ordered anything.

Outlook broken – and suddenly life is… …calmer?

◉ No “last chance” reminder from the newsletter you accidentally subscribed to in 2016.

◉ And most importantly: No more emails with seven CCs that you have to laboriously unravel like a tangled mess of cables from the 1990s.

Microsoft stays on it – and so do we

The software giant recommends trying the mobile app if necessary. It seems to work a bit better there. And otherwise? Patience. And maybe a short walk without your smartphone. Just an idea.

Until then, if you can't receive emails, you'll just have to pick up the phone or (crazy!) drop by in person.

And hand on heart: So a little digital detox… …that actually feels quite good, doesn’t it?

Sierks Media / © Photos: Ed Hardie (1), appshunter.io (1), Unsplash