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Exchange Connection Problems

How to Configure POP and SMTP Server Settings in Outlook 2016

Bushra ParveenBushra Parveen Oct 20, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to set up a POP or IMAP email account in Microsoft Outlook 2016 using the correct Exchange Online server addresses and port numbers.

How to Configure POP and SMTP Server Settings in Outlook 2016
Product
Microsoft Outlook 2016
Device & OS
not provided
Scenario
Manually configuring an Exchange Online email account in Outlook 2016 using POP and SMTP protocols.
Observed behavior
The user must enter specific incoming and outgoing server addresses, along with their respective port and encryption settings, to successfully connect the email account.
Before you start

Ensure you have your Exchange Online email address and password ready, and verify that your network or firewall allows outgoing traffic on ports 995 and 587.

Solution 1Recommended

Configure Exchange Online Account Manually in Outlook 2016

Use the manual setup wizard in Outlook 2016 to input the exact Microsoft 365 server addresses and port settings for incoming (POP) and outgoing (SMTP) mail.

By default, Outlook attempts to set up accounts automatically. However, for specific POP or IMAP configurations via Exchange Online, manual setup ensures the correct servers and encryption protocols are applied.

1
Open the Add Account Wizard

Launch Outlook 2016. Click on 'File' in the top left corner, then select 'Add Account' under the Info tab.

2
Select Manual Setup

Choose the option for 'Manual setup or additional server types' at the bottom of the window and click 'Next'. Then select 'POP or IMAP' and click 'Next' again.

3
Enter Server Settings

Fill in your name and email address. For Account Type, select POP. For the Incoming mail server, type 'outlook.office365.com'. For the Outgoing mail server (SMTP), type 'smtp.office365.com'. Enter your full email address as the User Name and input your password.

4
Configure Ports and Encryption

Click the 'More Settings' button and navigate to the 'Advanced' tab. Set the Incoming server (POP3) port to 995 and check the box that says 'This server requires an encrypted connection (SSL)'. Set the Outgoing server (SMTP) port to 587 and choose 'TLS' or 'STARTTLS' from the encrypted connection drop-down menu.

5
Authenticate Outgoing Server

While still in 'More Settings', go to the 'Outgoing Server' tab. Check the box for 'My outgoing server (SMTP) requires authentication' and select 'Use same settings as my incoming mail server'. Click 'OK', then 'Next' to test the connection and finish the setup.

Configure Exchange Online Account Manually in Outlook 2016
Connection Test: Outlook will automatically perform a test connection. Once you see two green checkmarks indicating success, your account is ready to use.
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the IMAP server settings for Exchange Online in Outlook 2016?

If you prefer IMAP over POP, use 'outlook.office365.com' for the incoming server. The port number for IMAP is 993, and it requires an SSL/TLS encrypted connection.

Why is my outgoing SMTP server connection failing in Outlook?

SMTP connection failures often happen due to incorrect port numbers or blocked network ports. Ensure you are using port 587 with SSL/TLS encryption for 'smtp.office365.com', and verify that your ISP or firewall is not blocking this specific port.

What is the difference between POP and IMAP in Outlook?

POP downloads emails from the server directly to your local device and typically removes them from the server, making it ideal for a single device. IMAP syncs your emails across multiple devices in real-time, keeping them securely stored on the email server.