Outlook 'cannot find the email server'

[johclat]

Does anyone know if there's currently a problem with smtp.outlook.com?

I ask because since yesterday I've been unable to send email from any of three machines that were all working fine up until then.

Thanks

John

[Burkem5]

hi Johclat this post may help 

[SteveRan]

Digga's post certainly fixed this problem for me

[SteveRan]

As a follow-up....

I just realized that when I started using my new PC, I forgot to set a specific DNS server so it was on the "let me find it" option. When I set it to 4.2.2.2 with the alternative as 4.2.2.3, the problem with Outlook was resolved (i.e., it could find the outgoing server at smtp.outlook.com as recommended.

Might be worth slipping something to that effect into the instructions on the web.