The Microsoft outage is affecting users worldwide, with many Microsoft users having issues with Outlook, Teams and other Microsoft 365 apps. The outage began at 16:17 UTC on the 12th November 2026.
Many users have been having issues opening their Outlook inbox and sending/receiving emails. Microsoft are currently working on resolving this issue.
Companies that regularly use Microsoft’s cloud-based apps are now concerned.
This article will explain everything you need to know about the Microsoft outage today. Including the apps affected, cause, update, and what To Do whilst waiting for them to be fixed.
Microsoft Outage Today – Cause Of Problem
The Microsoft outage began at around 16:17UTC on the 12th November 2026. Microsoft has reported issues with the Exchange Online service, which is used by Outlook email.
Users were initially having issues logging in to their Outlook mailbox. Whether on the web, desktop or mobile. After this Microsoft noted other issues with Microsoft 365 apps in multiple regions.
At peak times there had been over 130,000+ reports on Downdetector.
Some users are reporting that things are getting better but others are still having issues as Microsoft look to resolve.
Microsoft Services Affected
Outlook isn’t the only app affected. Below are the main apps.
1. Outlook
Outlook has been severely affected.
Users have been having issues opening their inbox, logging in to their email and sending/receiving emails. Some emails may be delayed.
This will affect regular users and companies who heavily use Outlook for important emails.
2. Teams
Some features have been affected.
Whilst many users have had no issues messaging and having online meetings, some users may be having issues opening their calendar.
Due to some of the features relying on the Exchange Online service.
3. Microsoft 365
Other parts of Microsoft 365 have been affected.
Depending on how integrated you are with Exchange Online you may have issues with:
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Microsoft 365 services
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SharePoint Online features
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Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat
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Microsoft Planner & To Do
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Some Microsoft Defender & Purview features
How severe this issue is depends on what app you’re using, region and feature.
Microsoft 365 Outage – Why Is It Down?
Microsoft have reported that the issue is due to server and connectivity issues with Exchange Online.
Microsoft have reported that some servers became overloaded with secure connections and stopped responding.
Microsoft also found that some servers went offline unexpectedly adding further pressure on the remaining servers.
They have been taking steps to fix this issue. These include:
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Restarting & repairing the affected servers
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Changing network settings
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Managing the traffic to take pressure off
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Testing the changes
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Adding extra virtual machines to increase capacity
All of these are to bring the system back online and stabilise.
Microsoft have also reported that there are no signs of a cyberattack and a full report hasn’t been released on the exact cause.
Microsoft Outage – Update – Are Outlook & Teams Up?
As of the 13th November 2026, Microsoft are still working on resolving this issue. They have not confirmed all their services are up. They are monitoring the performance of the servers in different regions and looking to add more capacity.
They have reported that they are making progress with analysing server performance. Testing solutions and adding capacity.
Some users may begin to see improvements. Depending on where you are and what Microsoft app you’re using this could be quicker or slower.
There is no definite time on when everything will be back to normal.
If you are still experiencing issues be sure to check the service health dashboard.
What To Do If Outlook/Teams Are Down
If you are having issues with your Microsoft account and apps below are some steps you can take.
1. Check Microsoft Service Status Page
Check the service health dashboard to see if it is part of a larger Microsoft outage.
2. Don’t Attempt To Log In
Trying to log in to Outlook will not help. This is an issue on Microsoft’s end.
3. Check Internet Connection
Ensure your internet connection is working. Try to access another website/app.
4. Access Outlook On Different Devices
If you are having trouble on the desktop try accessing Outlook on the web/mobile.
This will not help if the issue is on Exchange Online.
5. Communicate Using Alternative Methods
Companies should use alternative communication methods.
6. Check For Updates
Monitor the service health dashboard to see how much progress they have made. What apps are affected and when they have confirmed everything is back online.
How Has The Microsoft Outage Affected Businesses?
This outage shows how reliant businesses are on cloud based tools. Outlook, Teams and other Microsoft 365 apps are used daily. This can cause delays.
Potential issues include:
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Delays to work emails
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Issues communicating with your team
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Unable to open calendar
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Delays to work relying on Microsoft 365
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Lower productivity for staff using cloud based apps.
It also acts as a reminder that all companies should have contingency plans in place.
Ensure you have alternative methods of communication for important work and staff know how to use them in the event of a sudden outage.
FAQs
1. Is Microsoft Outlook Down Today?
Yes, there is a large Microsoft Outlook outage. This was reported on the 13th November 2026. Users may be having issues opening their inbox and sending/receiving emails. Microsoft are working on resolving this.
2. Why Can’t I Use Outlook?
This is due to server and connectivity issues with Exchange Online. Microsoft have reported that some servers became overloaded with secure connections.
3. Is Microsoft Teams Down?
Some features are affected. Many users have not had any issues messaging or having online meetings. However, you may be having issues with your calendar.
4. Is Microsoft 365 Down Worldwide?
Many regions have been affected. How bad this affects you depends on what service you’re using, location and feature. Not all services are down.
5. When Will Microsoft Services Be Up?
Microsoft have not provided a specific time for when everything will be up. They are still working on resolving the issue. Be sure to keep checking the service health dashboard for any new updates.
6. Has There Been A Cyberattack?
Microsoft have reported there are no signs of a cyberattack. They are focusing on looking into the issue with their servers, connectivity and traffic.
Final Thoughts
This outage shows how reliant people and businesses are on cloud based tools.
We use Outlook, Teams and other Microsoft 365 apps daily. This means even small technical issues can cause large problems. Microsoft are still working on getting everything back online. Be sure to monitor their updates.
Keep checking the service health dashboard for the latest news.