Technology

Microsoft Outlook is recovering after a major outage affected users around the world.

Outage reports began to spike for the widely-used email provider earlier today, with Microsoft confirming an issue not long after.

After several hours, the outage now seems to be ending, but here's everything we know so far...

• Check out the best secure email providers as well

Microsoft Outlook appears to be suffering a significant outage, with users across the world unable to access the platform.

Outage reports began to surface a few minutes ago, with Outlook.com apparently unavailable.

That's quite the spike in outage reports, courtesy of DownDetector.com!

(Image credit: DownDetector)

So what has Microsoft said so far?

Its official status platform confirms there is an issue with Outlook.com, so at least the company is aware of the issue.

"Users may be unable to access their mailbox using any connection methods," the page says.

"We're continuing to apply the configuration changes to fix the underlying problem and completing additional validation efforts to ensure authentication components are properly configured. In parallel to the current deployment of the configuration change fix, we're reviewing options to leverage an expedited deployment methodology in regions which are experiencing the highest levels of impact to provide the most effective relief where possible."

It adds impacted connection methods include, but may not be limited to:

- Outlook.com

- Outlook Mobile

- Outlook desktop client

For anyone trying alternate ways to try and log in to Outlook, it's worth noting Microsoft saying the outage affects the platform on web, mobile and desktop - so you might be out of luck!

This outage comes just as the East Coast of the US clocks in for the day, so it could mean a disrupted start for workers...

It's interesting to note Microsoft has yet to update its official Outlook, Windows and Microsoft accounts on X.

Reports of Microsoft Outlook going down first appeared more than 12 hours ago - but there's still nothing...

However the Microsoft Outlook Twitter account hasn't actually posted since June 11, so it may be that it's not active any more anyways!

As we try to find out more - here's some thoughts from Desire Athow, Managing Editor here at TechRadar Pro...

"Microsoft says that its Outlook desktop client, the popular Microsoft email client that is usually bundled with Microsoft 365 (formerly known as Office 365), is also down, which is a bit of a surprise. No other Microsoft products are currently impacted by the downtime which leaves me to believe that it may be something to do with the email middleware itself rather than a more widespread data center infrastructure."

An update from Microsoft from its official status page - where the outage has now been upgraded from a "warning" to an official issues;

"We're continuing to apply the configuration changes to fix the underlying problem and completing additional validation efforts to ensure authentication components are properly configured. In parallel to the current deployment of the configuration change fix, we're reviewing options to leverage an expedited deployment methodology in regions which are experiencing the highest levels of impact to provide the most effective relief where possible."

Microsoft has promised another update by 4.30pm UTC - so in about an hour's time - but while it works, outage reports keep on rising.

(Image credit: DownDetector)

We've spotted the official Microsoft 365 Status Twitter feed is providing much more information on the outage - here's what it has to say...

We're currently investigating an issue impacting https://t.co/yThFCaxMLE. Please see our service health page for further details: https://t.co/48OL20htnj.July 10, 2025

We're now entering the second hour of the outage, and it seems thousands of users are still unable to access Outlook.com, on web and mobile.

There's no concrete updates from Microsoft - so we're sitting and waiting to see how this will go.

If you're just joining us - a quick recap...

Users have been complaining about a major outage in Outlook for the last few hours - coinciding with the start of the working day in the US.

The outage affects Outlook on web and mobile, and has been going on for some time - Microsoft says it is working on a fix, but outage reports remain high.

We may finally be reaching a turning point - nearly three hours in, and outage reports are finally beginning to drop at last.

There's still no further comment from Microsoft, but this could be the beginning of the end (we hope)...

(Image credit: DownDetector)

Here we are - Microsoft thinks it has finally fixed the issue at last! Anyone affected should be seeing a solution soon, we hope.

Our configuration changes have effectively resolved impact in targeted infrastructure. We’re now deploying the changes worldwide to resolve impact for all users. For more information, please see https://t.co/j9reNyhJlq.July 10, 2025

Outage reports are falling fast on DownDetector, so this is likely the end of the issues.

We're going to stay tracking for a little while longer, but Microsoft says users and admins should now be able to continue operating as normal.

One final update from Microsoft - for admins this time.

Impacted Enterprise admins can also access updates and additional information on this issue by viewing EX1112414 in the Microsoft 365 admin center.July 10, 2025

• Fortnite's Blitz Royale mode has been extended by four weeks
• Starting July 15, new weekly updates will be added that will include new abilities, locations, and surprise collaborations
• Fans are hoping that this means Epic is considering making the mode permanent

Epic Games has extended Fortnite's Blitz Royale play period by four more weeks, making fans wonder if the studio plans on making the mode a permanent feature.

Blitz Royale, a fast-paced, 32-player version of regular Battle Royale matches that only last for five minutes, was added to the game last month. But what was sure to be a limited-time game mode could potentially stick around for good.

In a new social media post, Epic Games announced that "four more weeks of updates" are on the way, with the first beginning on July 15.

The developer also teased that new abilities, locations, like Mega City, and surprise collaborations will be dropping over the next month.

It’s all about that Blitz - four more weeks of updates comin’ your way!New loot drops, new map updates, new surprise collabs! pic.twitter.com/GqNIDkxZtpJuly 9, 2025

With Epic Games extending the Blitz Royale, players are curious to see if this means the game mode will become a permanent fixture of the popular online shooter.

"I love Blitz, it should definitely remain permanent. Wonder if it’ll come to FN as a permanent mode for next season," one user said on the game's subreddit.

It seems that the developer is already considering it, because earlier this month, it released a poll on X / Twitter asking fans what changes they'd like to see besides "make Blitz permanent".

The options include new points of interest, more collaboration items, new Boons and Powers, and "more Megalo Don plz", suggesting that improvements to the game mode are already in the works.

Epic has yet to detail the content of the next month of Blitz Royale, but those who have missed out will be able to jump in in the coming days.

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• The drive covered St. Moritz to Munich without a single charging stop
• Journey included roads, highways, and secondary roads
• Attempt bettered the previous record by almost 100 miles

Lucid now has an official Guinness World Records trophy to add to its cabinet, as its Air Grand Touring model just managed to complete just under 749 miles on a single charge while traveling on public roads.

The record-breaking journey started in St. Moritz, Switzerland and finished in Munich, Germany, with the trip taking in winding mountain passes, fast highway sections and narrow secondary roads in a true display of real-world range.

Lucid is already considered one of the leading figures in electric vehicle efficiency, with the Air Grand Touring boasting an official WLTP (Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure) range of 960km (596 miles), yet it still manages to deliver some 831hp and a top speed of almost 170mph.

London-based entrepreneur, hyper-miling legend and owner of the world's strongest bladder, Umit Sabanci, was behind the wheel for this attempt, having previously set a Guinness World Record for the most countries visited on a single charge in a production battery electric vehicle, crossing nine countries back in 2024.

Lucid set another @GWR title for the history books.Together with @Umit_Sabanci, we have officially set a new Guinness World Records title for the longest journey by an electric car on a single charge. The Lucid Air Grand Touring covered an astonishing 1,205 kilometers (~ 749… pic.twitter.com/2LeayLnjgcJuly 8, 2025

Lucid claims that Sabanci’s endeavor beat the previous record by around 100 miles and added a mind-boggling 237 miles to the vehicle’s official WLTP range.

This was made possible by some very sensible driving, but also by some clever route selection, with the journey effectively beginning at the top of The Alps and ending a good 4,300ft lower in Munich.

Heavy use of regenerative braking would have helped keep the monster 112kWh batteries brimmed. Although Lucid is keen to point out that its charging technology can add an impressive 248 miles of range in just 16 minutes from the appropriate fast charging outlet, for those not keen on traveling almost 750 miles in one hit.

Lucid leads the way in EV efficiency

(Image credit: Lucid)

The US electric vehicle maker clearly used some clever route-planning to achieve this record-breaking feat, but nothing should be taken away from the company’s dedication to EV performance and efficiency.

Lucid is one of the few to engineer and produce most of its powertrain components, with a laser focus on creating an aerodynamic vehicle that is as light and efficient as possible.

The Air Pure, for example, was one of the first EVs to boast an enviable energy efficiency rating of 5 miles per kWh – you’ll be lucky if you get over 3 miles per kWh in most modern electric cars.

However, this technology is currently reserved for the wealthiest in society, with prices of the Air ranging from $69,900 to over $169,000 in the US.

The company has stated that it plans to produce a more affordable version of its $79,900 (around £59,000 / AU$121,000) Gravity SUV in the near future, which will be based on a new midsize platform and will deliver the same sort of range as competitors, but with a much smaller battery.

This will allow it to compete with the likes of Tesla, offering the Lucid’s renowned efficiencies at a fraction of the current line-up’s price.

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• Italy's Piracy Shield has prompted European lawmakers' scrutiny
• The EU Commission sent a letter to Italy's Minister of Foreign Affairs to warn that it may not be compliant with the EU Digital Services Act
• Italy's anti-piracy system has so far led to significant overblocking incidents that sparked strong criticism

Italy's infamous anti-piracy system, Piracy Shield, may be breaching European law.

On June 13, 2025, the EU Commission sent a letter to Italy's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani, warning that the Piracy Shield may not be compliant with Digital Services Act (DSA) rules. The system, lawmakers said, may even undermine citizens' fundamental rights to freedom of expression and information as ruled by the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.

Italy's Piracy Shield allows authorities to not only require ISPs, but also VPN and DNS providers, to block suspected pirated content within 30 minutes. A feature praised by rightholders in the country, which also led to significant overblocking incidents and sparked strong criticism across the industry.

What's wrong with Italy's Piracy Shield?

Italy first enforced its Piracy Shield system in February 2024 to prevent citizens from accessing live sports events through pirate sites, especially football matches. To do so, rightsholders can demand that piracy-related domain names and IP addresses suspected of copyright infringement be blocked within 30 minutes.

The Italian anti-piracy system has certainly proven effective so far. Yet, tech companies have been raising concerns with EU authorities about multiple overblocking incidents that have even affected, among others, legitimate Google domains.

Specifically, the Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) warned against a lack of transparency over the blocking and a lack of support for those sites wrongfully blocked.

These concerns have sparked an EU investigation into the technical details of Italy's anti-piracy system, which has highlighted a few notable issues.

Lawmakers pointed out how the DSA "does not provide a legal basis for the issuing of orders by national administrative or judicial authorities, nor does it regulate the enforcement of such orders," inviting Italian authorities to clarify how these procedures meet DSA requirements in the final text.

(Image credit: Sitade/via Getty Images)

Crucially, the letter also emphasises that "the effective tackling of illegal content must also take into account the fundamental right to freedom of expression and information under the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU."

This point is likely linked to Italian communication regulator AGCOM's decision to require DNS and virtual private network (VPN) providers to actively block alleged illegal streams upon request.

Privacy experts and technologists have previously pointed out that targeting VPN providers could have "sweeping consequences" for people's internet security and privacy. A VPN provider (AirVPN) has, in fact, already stopped accepting new Italian subscribers.

"A model of what not to do"

While we need to wait to see whether the EU Commission's comments will change how Italy deals with illegal streaming in the future, that's certainly not an isolated case.

Other European countries have been increasingly using such infrastructure-level blocking against pirated or other harmful content, sparking concerns among the industry.

France, for example, has recently taken a strong stance against VPN providers. After a successful legal action against DNS services in 2024, on May 15, 2025, the Paris Judicial Court backed Canal+'s request and ordered five of TechRadar's best VPN services – NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark, Proton VPN, and CyberGhost – to block access to 203 domains linked to illegal sports streaming sites.

Spanish sports streaming giants, LaLiga and Telefónica, have also been increasingly issuing IP blocking orders since February 2025. Again, this tactic has led to many overblocking incidents, with Google Fonts, institutional sites, and payment platforms among the legitimate domains mistakenly blocked so far. This is why US-based DNS giant Cloudflare is fighting in court to fix these issues ahead of the next LaLiga season.

Nonetheless, according to the Executive Director of the i2Coalition, Christian Dawson, Italy remains the worst example out there.

Dawson told TechRadar: "The number of problems that we are seeing with Italy's Piracy Shield is remarkable, and we want the rest of Europe to see that as a cautionary tale. We do worry, though, that a lot of other member states are looking to Italy's Piracy Shield as a model, and we think it's a model of exactly what not to do."

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Some Outlook users are currently unable to access their email, either through web browser, mobile app or desktop client.