Finding the SMTP server in Outlook 365 requires navigating to the account settings and looking under “Outgoing mail server” details. If you are setting up an email client or troubleshooting sending issues, knowing exactly where to find smtp server in outlook 365 is essential for configuring your outgoing mail correctly.
This guide walks you through every step, from locating the server settings to understanding the exact SMTP parameters you need. Whether you use Outlook desktop, web app, or mobile, you will get clear, actionable instructions.
Where To Find Smtp Server In Outlook 365
To locate the SMTP server in Outlook 365, start by opening the desktop application. Click on “File” in the top-left corner, then select “Account Settings” and choose “Account Settings” again from the dropdown menu.
In the Account Settings window, you will see a list of your email accounts. Select the Outlook 365 account you want to configure, then click the “Change” button above the list.
This opens the Change Account window. Look for the “Outgoing mail server” section. The SMTP server address is displayed next to “Server Information” under “Outgoing mail server (SMTP)”.
For most Outlook 365 accounts, the SMTP server is smtp.office365.com. The port is typically 587, and encryption is set to STARTTLS or TLS.
Step-By-Step Guide For Desktop Users
Follow these numbered steps to find the SMTP server in Outlook 365 on your desktop:
- Open Outlook 365 on your computer.
- Click “File” in the top menu bar.
- Select “Account Settings” from the dropdown.
- Choose “Account Settings” again from the submenu.
- In the pop-up window, highlight your email account.
- Click the “Change” button.
- Scroll down to “Outgoing mail server” section.
- Note the SMTP server address and port number.
- Click “More Settings” to see advanced options.
- Under the “Outgoing Server” tab, check if authentication is required.
This method works for all recent versions of Outlook 365, including 2016, 2019, and Microsoft 365 subscriptions.
Finding SMTP In Outlook Web App
If you use Outlook on the web (OWA), the SMTP settings are not visible directly in the browser interface. However, you can still find them by checking your account’s connection information.
Log in to outlook.office.com. Click the gear icon in the top-right corner to open Settings. Select “View all Outlook settings” at the bottom of the panel.
Go to “Mail” > “Sync mail” or “Connected accounts”. The SMTP server details are usually listed under “POP and IMAP settings”. For Outlook 365 web, the SMTP server remains smtp.office365.com with port 587.
Alternative Method For Web Users
If you cannot find the settings in the web interface, open the Outlook desktop app temporarily. The SMTP server information syncs from your account configuration. You can also check your email client’s account properties.
Another way is to contact your IT administrator. They can provide the exact SMTP server address for your organization’s Outlook 365 setup.
Common SMTP Server Details For Outlook 365
Here are the standard SMTP parameters you will encounter when configuring Outlook 365:
- SMTP server: smtp.office365.com
- Port: 587 (recommended) or 25
- Encryption: STARTTLS or TLS
- Authentication: Required (same as incoming server)
- Username: Your full Outlook 365 email address
- Password: Your Outlook 365 account password
These settings apply to most personal and business accounts. If you use Exchange Online, the SMTP server might be different. Check with your provider if you experience issues.
Why Port 587 Is Preferred
Port 587 is the standard SMTP port for email submission. It supports encryption and is less likely to be blocked by ISPs or firewalls. Port 25 is sometimes used but is often restricted to prevent spam.
Always use TLS or STARTTLS encryption for security. Outlook 365 requires encrypted connections for outgoing mail. Without encryption, your emails may be rejected.
Authentication Requirements
Outlook 365 requires SMTP authentication. This means you must enter your email address and password in the outgoing server settings. Without authentication, you cannot send emails through the SMTP server.
In the “More Settings” dialog, go to the “Outgoing Server” tab. Check the box that says “My outgoing server (SMTP) requires authentication”. Select “Use same settings as my incoming mail server”.
Troubleshooting SMTP Issues In Outlook 365
If you cannot send emails after configuring the SMTP server, check these common problems:
- Incorrect server address: Verify it is smtp.office365.com
- Wrong port number: Use port 587
- Encryption mismatch: Set to TLS or STARTTLS
- Authentication disabled: Enable SMTP authentication
- Firewall blocking: Allow Outlook through your firewall
- Account password expired: Update your password
Most issues are fixed by double-checking the settings. If problems persist, try removing and re-adding your account in Outlook.
Testing Your SMTP Configuration
After entering the SMTP server details, send a test email to yourself. If it arrives, your configuration is correct. If not, review each setting carefully.
You can also use the “Test Account Settings” button in Outlook. This checks both incoming and outgoing server connections. It will highlight any errors in your setup.
Common Error Messages
You might see errors like “Outgoing server (SMTP) does not support SSL” or “Cannot send email”. These usually indicate a port or encryption problem. Switch to port 587 with TLS encryption.
Another error is “SMTP server requires a secure connection”. This means you need to enable TLS in your account settings. Go to “More Settings” > “Advanced” and set “Use the following type of encrypted connection” to TLS.
Where To Find Smtp Server In Outlook 365 For Mobile
On mobile devices, finding the SMTP server in Outlook 365 is slightly different. Open the Outlook app on your iPhone or Android. Tap your profile icon in the top-left corner.
Select the gear icon to open Settings. Choose your email account from the list. Tap “Server settings” or “Advanced settings”. The SMTP server address is listed under “Outgoing mail server”.
For most mobile setups, the SMTP server is pre-configured. If you need to change it, you can edit the fields manually. The default values are the same as desktop: smtp.office365.com, port 587, TLS.
Manual Configuration On IOS
If the Outlook app does not show SMTP settings, you can configure it manually:
- Go to Settings > Mail > Accounts.
- Tap your Outlook 365 account.
- Select “SMTP” under Outgoing Mail Server.
- Choose “Primary Server” or add a new server.
- Enter smtp.office365.com as the hostname.
- Set port to 587 and enable SSL/TLS.
This method works for the native iOS Mail app as well. Android users can follow similar steps in the Gmail app or other email clients.
Advanced SMTP Settings For Outlook 365
For power users, there are additional SMTP settings you can configure. These include limiting message size, setting delivery options, and configuring server timeouts.
In Outlook, go to “File” > “Account Settings” > “Change” > “More Settings”. Under the “Advanced” tab, you can set the server timeout. Increase it if you have slow internet connections.
You can also specify a different SMTP port if your network blocks port 587. Port 25 is an alternative but may require admin approval. Some organizations use port 465 for SSL connections.
Using SMTP With Exchange Online
If your Outlook 365 account uses Exchange Online, the SMTP server is still smtp.office365.com. However, you may need to use your full email address as the username, including the domain part.
Exchange Online also supports direct send without SMTP authentication for internal emails. For external sending, authentication is mandatory.
SMTP Relay Options
Some businesses use SMTP relay services for bulk email. Outlook 365 supports connectors for this purpose. You can set up a relay in the Exchange admin center.
For personal accounts, SMTP relay is not available. Stick to the standard SMTP server for regular email sending.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the SMTP server for Outlook 365?
A: The standard SMTP server for Outlook 365 is smtp.office365.com. Use port 587 with TLS encryption.
Q: Where to find SMTP server in Outlook 365 if I cannot see it?
A: If the SMTP server is not visible, go to File > Account Settings > Change. Look under “Outgoing mail server”. If still missing, re-add your account.
Q: Why is my Outlook 365 SMTP server not working?
A: Common reasons include wrong port, disabled authentication, or firewall blocks. Verify settings and test with port 587 and TLS enabled.
Q: Can I use a different SMTP server with Outlook 365?
A: Yes, you can use third-party SMTP servers like Gmail or SendGrid. Change the server address in account settings, but ensure authentication matches.
Q: Does Outlook 365 SMTP require a password?
A: Yes, SMTP authentication requires your Outlook 365 email password. Use the same credentials as your incoming server.
Final Tips For SMTP Configuration
Always double-check your SMTP server address before saving. A typo like “smtp.office365.cm” will cause errors. Copy and paste the address if possible.
Keep your Outlook 365 account updated. Microsoft occasionally changes server settings. Check the official documentation for any updates.
If you manage multiple accounts, note that each account may have its own SMTP server. Business accounts might use custom servers like mail.yourcompany.com.
Test your configuration by sending emails to different providers like Gmail or Yahoo. This ensures your SMTP server works globally.
Remember that SMTP settings are stored locally on your device. If you switch computers, you need to re-enter them. Back up your settings if needed.
With these steps, you can confidently find and configure the SMTP server in Outlook 365. No more guessing or searching through menus. Your outgoing mail will work smoothly.