Microsoft Outlook allows you to send and receive your domain email from your computer.
This guide explains how to set up your HostworX email account in Outlook using your email address, password, and mail server settings.
Before You Start
Before setting up Outlook, make sure you have:
- Your full email address
- Your email password
- Your incoming mail server
- Your outgoing mail server
- The correct IMAP or POP3 settings
Your email address may look like:
Your mail server is usually:
mail.yourdomain.co.za
Replace yourdomain.co.za with your own domain name.
Recommended Account Type
For most users, IMAP is recommended because it keeps email synchronized between Outlook, webmail, phones, and tablets.
Use IMAP if you access your email on more than one device.
POP3 may be suitable if you mainly use one computer and want email stored locally.
Common IMAP Settings
Use these settings for IMAP:
Account type: IMAP
Incoming mail server: mail.yourdomain.co.za
Incoming port: 993
Encryption: SSL/TLS
Outgoing mail server: mail.yourdomain.co.za
Outgoing port: 465 or 587
Encryption: SSL/TLS or STARTTLS
Username: your full email address
Password: your email account password
Common POP3 Settings
Use these settings for POP3:
Account type: POP3
Incoming mail server: mail.yourdomain.co.za
Incoming port: 995
Encryption: SSL/TLS
Outgoing mail server: mail.yourdomain.co.za
Outgoing port: 465 or 587
Encryption: SSL/TLS or STARTTLS
Username: your full email address
Password: your email account password
Step 1 – Open Outlook
Open Microsoft Outlook on your computer.
Click: File
Then click: Account Settings
Then click: Manage Profiles, if it doesnt give this option then click Account Settings in the drop-down.
Then click: Accounts
Then click: Add Account
Step 2 – Enter Your Email Address
Enter your full email address.
Example:
Select the option to configure the account manually if Outlook shows it.
Locate: Advanced options
Select: Let me set up my account manually
Click: Connect
Step 3 – Choose IMAP or POP
Choose the account type you want to use.
Click: IMAP
or
Click: POP (Suggested for Laaptop / Pcs)
Step 4 – Enter Server Settings
Enter the incoming and outgoing mail server settings.
Locate: Incoming mail server, example: mail.yourdomain.co.za
Locate: Incoming port, example: 993
Locate: Encryption method, example: SSL/TLS
Locate: Outgoing mail server, example: mail.yourdomain.co.za
Locate: Outgoing port, example: 465
Locate: Encryption method, example: SSL/TLS
Click: Next
Step 5 – Enter Your Email Password
Enter the password for your email account.
Click: Connect
Outlook will test the settings.
Step 6 – Complete the Setup
If the settings are accepted, Outlook will add the account.
Click: Done
Send a test email to confirm that sending and receiving works correctly.
Step 7 – Test Sending and Receiving
After setup, send a test email to another address.
Then reply to that email from the other address.
Check that Outlook can both send and receive.
Common Outlook Problems
Outlook may fail to connect if:
- The email password is incorrect.
- The username is not the full email address.
- The wrong mail server was entered.
- The wrong port was selected.
- SSL settings are incorrect.
- SMTP authentication is not enabled.
- The mailbox does not exist in DirectAdmin.
- Your internet connection or antivirus software is blocking mail.
Important Notes
Please keep the following in mind:
- Your username should usually be your full email address.
- Your email password is not your DirectAdmin password unless you made it the same.
- IMAP is usually better for multiple devices.
- POP3 must be configured carefully if used on more than one device.
- If you change your email password in DirectAdmin, update it in Outlook too.
- If your domain uses Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, use that provider’s settings instead.
When Should I Contact HostworX Support?
Contact HostworX Support if:
- Outlook cannot connect.
- Outlook can receive but not send.
- Outlook can send but not receive.
- Your password does not work.
- Webmail works but Outlook does not.
- You are unsure which account type to use.
- You receive a certificate or security warning.
Please include the error message shown by Outlook if one is available.
Conclusion
Microsoft Outlook can connect to your HostworX mailbox using IMAP or POP3.
For most users, IMAP with SSL is recommended because it keeps email synchronized across devices.
Always test sending and receiving after setting up the account.
