Microsoft Outlook is currently down for a large number of users

 

Microsoft Outlook users have been experiencing widespread connectivity issues over the past 24 hours, preventing some users from sending or receiving emails and preventing others from accessing their accounts entirely. 

 

It has been confirmed that this error is due to problems with Microsoft’s “load balancing infrastructure”, with specific servers being unable to handle the loads assigned to them properly. Microsoft is currently redistributing this load to other infrastructure while they assess the issue. 

 

Downdetector has reported that this issue started around 9 am BST, with most of the outage reports coming between 9 am and 5 pm (typical UK working hours), with fewer reports coming in as the evening progresses.  Those who want more up to date information on this outage should refer to Microsoft’s service status page.