IT Services Update: Ongoing Global Microsoft Outage
There is a global Microsoft technical issue that is currently impacting Microsoft 365 services, specifically affecting staff and student email and calendars. Microsoft engineering teams are actively rolling out fixes and report early signs of progress, but services have not yet fully returned.
Likely Impacted Services
You may experience disruption across the following applications:
- Outlook (Email & Calendar): Delays or failures in sending/receiving emails, inability to load inboxes, or missing calendar availability. To help prevent lost data, Microsoft has temporarily extended its email timeout window to 48 hours.
- Microsoft Teams: Intermittent connection drops, or issues accessing chat, calls, and virtual lectures.
- Other Associated Tools: Minor disruptions have been reported with OneDrive, OneNote, and Microsoft
Interim Guidance for Students and Staff
- For Students: If you cannot reach University staff using email or Teams today, please check your learning management system for updates, or contact staff using Teams.
- For Staff: If you cannot access email or calendars to schedule urgent meetings, please rely on Teams or telephone contact where possible.
Security Warning: Watch Out for Scams
Major technical outages frequently attract opportunistic cybercriminals looking to take advantage of the confusion. Please remain extremely vigilant.
- No Security Breach: Microsoft has confirmed that this global disruption is not the result of a cyber attack or security breach.
- Beware of Phishing: Be cautious of unexpected emails, phone calls, or text messages claiming to be from "IT Support," "Microsoft," or university services asking you to click a link to "fix your account," "verify your credentials," or download a patch.
- Official Communications Only: The University IT services team will never ask you for your password over email or phone. If you receive a suspicious message regarding your account, do not click any links or attachments - report it immediately to our official IT Helpdesk.
If you have clicked on anything suspicious, please contact the DIT Service Desk on 0161 295 2444
Student support
Our AskUS helpline is operational. They can be contacted on 0161 295 5000 for queries as usual.
For other urgent matters please call the University team on 0161 295 3333.
We will continue to post updates here as soon as Microsoft provides new information. Thank you for your patience and cooperation.