How Do I Access My Hotmail Account?

Because Hotmail was rebranded as Outlook.com by Microsoft, you access your account through the Outlook platform.

Your Hotmail email address and password remain the same. You can log in from a computer using a web browser or from a mobile device using the Outlook mobile app.

Access Hotmail from a computer

1. Go to the Outlook website. Open any web browser and navigate to www.outlook.com or outlook.live.com. You will be redirected to the Microsoft sign-in page.
2. Enter your email address. In the sign-in field, type your full Hotmail email address (e.g., [email protected]). Click Next.
3. Type your password. Enter the password associated with your Hotmail account. Remember that passwords are case-sensitive.
4. Sign in. Click the Sign in button. You will be taken to your inbox and can access all your emails and account features.

Access Hotmail from a mobile device

For the best experience on a smartphone or tablet, download the Microsoft Outlook app.

1. Download and open the Outlook app. Get the official Microsoft Outlook app from the Google Play Store (for Android) or the App Store (for iOS).
2. Add your account. Open the app and tap Add Account.
3. Enter your email address. Type your Hotmail email address and tap Continue. The app will recognize that it is a Microsoft account.
4. Enter your password. When prompted, enter your password. If you need to, you can tap the Forgot password? link.
5. Sign in. After entering your credentials, you will be taken to your Hotmail inbox within the Outlook app.

What to do if you can't sign in

If you are having trouble logging in, use the following troubleshooting steps.

If you forgot your password

1. Go to the Microsoft password reset page at account.live.com/password/reset.
2. Enter your Hotmail email address and click Next.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to verify your identity. This can be done by using a security code sent to a recovery email address or phone number linked to your account.
4. Once your identity is verified, you will be able to create and confirm a new password.

If your account is locked

Microsoft may lock an account due to unusual sign-in activity. This is a security measure to protect your data.

• Use the sign-in troubleshooter: Visit the Microsoft Support page and use the sign-in helper tool, which will walk you through the necessary steps.
• Try from a familiar device: Attempt to log in from a device and network (like your home Wi-Fi) that you have used previously.
• Wait for a cooldown period: If you have made multiple failed attempts, wait a few hours before trying again.

If your browser is causing issues

• Clear cache and cookies: Accumulated browser data can sometimes interfere with login. Clear your browser's cache and cookies to remove old information.
• Use a different browser: Try a different browser, such as Firefox or Edge, or use an incognito/private browsing window.

Recovering a very old Hotmail account

If you have not signed in for more than two years, Microsoft may have deleted your account due to inactivity. If this is the case, you may need to create a new Outlook account, as the old one is no longer accessible.