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Cannot connect to my Exchange server

eric Hawley 0 Reputation points
2026-02-23T23:04:39.9833333+00:00

When I try to set up Outlook, it won't let me connect to the Exchange servers I have at Network Solutions, and instead sends me off to Office.com

Exchange | Exchange Server | Other
Exchange | Exchange Server | Other

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  1. Anonymous
    2026-02-23T23:45:34.6366667+00:00

    Dear @eric Hawley,

    Welcome to Microsoft Q&A Forum!

    Thank you for reporting this issue. I’d like to give you some insights and outline a few options you can try:

    When you add your email account in recent versions of Outlook, Outlook uses a process called Autodiscover to locate the correct Exchange service. Modern Outlook versions prioritize Microsoft 365 (Exchange Online) first. If the domain or hosting provider responds in a way that suggests Microsoft 365, Outlook redirects the setup flow to Office.com instead of completing the connection to a legacy or hosted Exchange server. This behavior is expected, not a local Outlook or PC issue.

    This may commonly see with third‑party hosted Exchange providers (including Network Solutions), especially as services are migrated, retired, or partially integrated with Microsoft 365.

    Therefore, I have tried my best to find anything that can help you, here are things you can try (short‑term workarounds):

    1.Force Outlook to skip the Microsoft 365 check during Autodiscover. This article explains why the redirect happens and provides a registry‑based workaround:

    https://erkmenhost.com/article/why-is-outlook-redirecting-to-microsoft-365

    2.Review Microsoft’s official guidance on controlling or suppressing Autodiscover redirection behavior in Outlook (please kindly see all the notes in the article): Suppress AutoDiscover redirect warning in Outlook

    Please note: Microsoft documents these registry changes as temporary workarounds. They may stop working after Outlook updates and are not recommended as a long‑term solution.

    Besides that, I found some helpful articles that you can consult as well:

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    Note: This information is provided as a convenience to you. These sites are not controlled by Microsoft, and Microsoft cannot make any representations regarding the quality, safety, or suitability of any software or information found there. Please ensure that you fully understand the risks before using any suggestions from the above links.

    I hope this information can give you some insights and please let me know how things go on your side as your update can also assist others in the community who may be facing the same issue.

    If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment". 

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  2. AI answer

    2026-02-23T23:04:56.6133333+00:00

    If you are having trouble connecting Outlook to your Exchange server, there are a few common issues that could be causing the problem:

    1. Network Configuration Issues: Ensure that your local network configuration allows access to the Exchange Online servers. Specifically, check if port 443 is open, as it is required for the Exchange Autodiscover service and Outlook Anywhere feature.
    2. Proxy Configuration: If your network uses a proxy, ensure that it is not redirecting traffic incorrectly. Local DNS resolvers should provide all results to clients to enable retries, and they should not favor a single IP address.
    3. ActiveSync Protocol: If you are attempting to connect using the Exchange ActiveSync (EAS) protocol, be aware that Outlook does not support this method for connecting to Exchange servers. Instead, you should use standard Exchange connection settings.

    To resolve these issues, you may need to consult your network administrator to ensure that the necessary ports are open and that the network configuration is correct. Additionally, ensure you are using the correct settings for connecting Outlook to your Exchange server.

    References:

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