If you are using a custom-domain email account hosted with Hostinger, such as name@yourdomain.com, you can configure the mailbox in Microsoft Outlook and manage your business email directly from your Windows computer.

Hostinger Email generally supports the standard email protocols:

• IMAP for synchronizing email between Outlook, webmail, mobile phones, and other devices.
• POP3 for downloading messages to a computer.
• SMTP for sending outgoing email.

For most users, IMAP is the recommended configuration because messages and folders remain synchronized with the mail server.

This guide explains how to configure Hostinger Email in New Outlook for Windows and Classic Microsoft Outlook, along with manual server settings, IMAP vs POP differences, SMTP configuration, security settings, DNS considerations, and troubleshooting procedures.

Hostinger Email Settings – Quick Reference

For standard Hostinger Email accounts, the commonly used settings are:

Service	Server	Port	Security
IMAP Incoming	imap.hostinger.com	993	SSL/TLS
POP3 Incoming	pop.hostinger.com	995	SSL/TLS
SMTP Outgoing	smtp.hostinger.com	465	SSL/TLS

Your username is normally your complete email address, for example:

support@example.com

Your password is the password assigned to that particular Hostinger mailbox.

Important: Email server information can change or may differ depending on the Hostinger email product associated with your account. Before troubleshooting extensively, verify the current configuration shown inside your Hostinger account/hPanel.

1. IMAP or POP3 – Which Should You Use?

Before configuring Outlook, decide whether you want to use IMAP or POP3.

IMAP – Recommended

IMAP keeps Outlook synchronized with the mail server.

For example, if you:

• read a message in Outlook,
• delete an email,
• move a message into another folder,

the change normally synchronizes with Hostinger Webmail and your other IMAP-connected devices.

IMAP is best when:

• You use Outlook on your office computer.
• You also check email from a mobile phone.
• You use Hostinger Webmail.
• You have multiple computers.
• You want Sent, Drafts and other folders synchronized.
• You want messages to remain available on the server.

For most business users, choose IMAP.

2. What is POP3?

POP3 is an older email retrieval protocol primarily designed to download messages from the mail server to a local email client.

Depending on Outlook's configuration, downloaded emails may be removed from the server or retained there for a specified period.

POP3 may be appropriate when:

• Only one computer handles the mailbox.
• You specifically require local email storage.
• You understand Outlook PST backup requirements.
• You intentionally want messages downloaded locally.

POP3 can still be useful in particular environments, but it is usually not the best choice for users who access the same mailbox from several devices.

3. IMAP vs POP3

Feature	IMAP	POP3
Messages remain on server	Yes	Depends on configuration
Synchronizes folders	Yes	Limited
Suitable for multiple devices	Excellent	Not ideal
Webmail synchronization	Yes	Limited
Sent folder synchronization	Yes	Usually limited
Requires server storage	Yes	Less dependent
Recommended for modern business use	Yes	Only for special requirements

Recommended configuration

Use IMAP unless you have a specific reason to use POP3.

4. Requirements Before Configuring Outlook

Before starting, make sure you have:

1. An active Hostinger hosting/email service.
2. A working custom-domain email address.
3. The correct mailbox password.
4. Internet access.
5. Microsoft Outlook installed or New Outlook available.
6. Correct DNS/MX configuration for your domain.
7. The complete email address.

Example:

accounts@example.com

Do not use only:

accounts

as the username unless your provider specifically instructs you to do so.

5. Test Hostinger Webmail First

Before troubleshooting Outlook, test whether the mailbox itself works.

Log in to Hostinger Webmail using the same:

• email address
• password

that you intend to use in Outlook.

Try:

1. Opening the Inbox.
2. Sending a test email.
3. Receiving a test email.

If Webmail itself cannot send or receive mail, the problem may not be Outlook.

Possible causes include:

• Incorrect password
• Suspended email service
• Mailbox storage full
• DNS problem
• Domain problem
• MX record problem
• Hostinger service issue

Fix the underlying mailbox problem before repeatedly changing Outlook settings.

6. Configure Hostinger Email in Classic Outlook

The exact screens can differ slightly between Outlook 2016, Outlook 2019, Outlook 2021, Outlook 2024 and Microsoft 365 versions of Classic Outlook.

A typical configuration is:

Step 1 – Open Outlook

Start Microsoft Outlook.

Step 2 – Add the account

Go to:

File → Add Account

Enter your Hostinger email address.

Example:

info@example.com

Step 3 – Select Advanced Options

Select:

Advanced options

Enable:

Let me set up my account manually

Click:

Connect

Step 4 – Choose IMAP

Select:

IMAP

This is the recommended option for most users.

7. Enter Incoming IMAP Settings

Enter:

Incoming mail server

imap.hostinger.com

Port

993

Encryption method

SSL/TLS

Username:

your-full-email@example.com

Password:

Your mailbox password.

8. Enter Outgoing SMTP Settings

Configure:

Outgoing mail server

smtp.hostinger.com

Port

465

Encryption

SSL/TLS

SMTP authentication should be enabled.

Use the same full email address and mailbox password for SMTP authentication.

9. SMTP Authentication is Important

One common situation is:

Outlook receives emails successfully but cannot send emails.

When receiving works but sending fails, check the SMTP configuration.

The outgoing mail server normally needs authentication.

In applicable Classic Outlook versions, check the account's outgoing server settings and make sure the option equivalent to:

My outgoing server (SMTP) requires authentication

is enabled.

Normally select:

Use same settings as my incoming mail server

Without SMTP authentication, Outlook may reject outgoing messages even though incoming email works perfectly.

10. Configure Hostinger Email in New Outlook for Windows

Microsoft's New Outlook has a different interface from Classic Outlook.

Typically navigate to:

Settings → Accounts → Your accounts

and choose:

Add Account

Enter your Hostinger email address.

If automatic configuration succeeds, Outlook may obtain the necessary settings automatically.

If automatic configuration does not work, choose the available manual/advanced IMAP configuration and enter the Hostinger server information.

Use:

Incoming

Server:

imap.hostinger.com

Port:

993

Security:

SSL/TLS

Outgoing

Server:

smtp.hostinger.com

Port:

465

Security:

SSL/TLS

Use your complete email address as the username.

11. POP3 Configuration – Only If Required

If you intentionally want POP instead of IMAP, use:

Incoming POP3 server

pop.hostinger.com

Port

995

Security

SSL/TLS

Outgoing SMTP remains:

smtp.hostinger.com

Port:

465

Security:

SSL/TLS

Before deploying POP3 in a business environment, understand where Outlook will store the downloaded email and how that data will be backed up.

12. Do Not Configure the Same Mailbox as Both POP and IMAP Without a Reason

Avoid configuring the same account using both POP3 and IMAP unless you understand the consequences.

Doing so can create confusion involving:

• duplicate messages,
• inconsistent folders,
• locally downloaded email,
• server copies,
• Sent Items,
• deleted messages,
• Outlook data files.

For ordinary users, select one protocol.

Recommended: IMAP.

13. What Does SMTP Do?

SMTP stands for Simple Mail Transfer Protocol.

IMAP or POP handles incoming/retrieved email.

SMTP handles outgoing email.

Therefore:

Receiving email = IMAP/POP

Sending email = SMTP

This distinction is extremely useful when troubleshooting Outlook.

For example:

Receiving works but sending fails

Investigate:

• SMTP server
• SMTP port
• encryption
• SMTP authentication
• firewall/network restrictions
• mailbox authentication

Sending works but receiving fails

Investigate:

• IMAP/POP server
• incoming port
• SSL/TLS
• mailbox password
• IMAP connectivity

14. What Does SSL/TLS Mean?

SSL/TLS encrypts communication between Outlook and the mail server.

For secure email configuration, avoid unencrypted connections whenever possible.

The standard Hostinger settings covered in this guide use encrypted connections:

IMAP: 993 with SSL/TLS

POP3: 995 with SSL/TLS

SMTP: 465 with SSL/TLS

15. Outlook Says "Something Went Wrong"

If Outlook displays:

Something went wrong

do not immediately delete the mailbox or recreate it repeatedly.

Check the following first:

1. Confirm the email address.
2. Confirm the password through Webmail.
3. Verify the incoming server.
4. Verify the outgoing server.
5. Check the ports.
6. Check SSL/TLS.
7. Verify SMTP authentication.
8. Restart Outlook.
9. Check Windows date/time.
10. Test from another internet connection if necessary.

Manual configuration is often useful when Outlook's automatic detection fails.

16. Outlook Keeps Asking for the Password

Repeated password prompts can occur because of:

• Wrong mailbox password
• Wrong username
• Incorrect server address
• Incorrect encryption
• Authentication failure
• Corrupted saved credentials
• Outlook profile problem
• Network/security software interference

First confirm that the same credentials work in Webmail.

Remember that the username is generally the complete email address:

user@example.com

not simply:

user

17. Outlook Can Receive But Cannot Send

This is commonly an SMTP-related problem.

Check:

SMTP server

smtp.hostinger.com

SMTP port

465

Encryption

SSL/TLS

Authentication

Enabled.

Username

Full email address.

Password

Mailbox password.

Also check whether security software, firewall rules, ISP restrictions, or the local network is interfering with SMTP connectivity.

18. Outlook Can Send But Cannot Receive

Check the incoming server configuration.

For IMAP:

imap.hostinger.com

Port:

993

Encryption:

SSL/TLS

For POP3:

pop.hostinger.com

Port:

995

Encryption:

SSL/TLS

Also verify mailbox quota and confirm that incoming messages appear in Webmail.

19. Email Works in Webmail but Not Outlook

This is an important diagnostic result.

If Webmail sends and receives correctly but Outlook does not, the domain and mailbox are probably operational.

Focus troubleshooting on:

• Outlook configuration
• credentials stored in Outlook
• IMAP/SMTP settings
• Outlook profile
• Windows firewall
• antivirus email scanning
• local network
• DNS resolution
• Outlook application problems

This prevents unnecessary changes to your domain's DNS.

20. Email Does Not Work in Webmail Either

If both Outlook and Webmail have problems, investigate the server/account side first.

Check:

• Hostinger service status
• mailbox status
• mailbox quota
• domain status
• DNS configuration
• MX records
• email service subscription
• password
• account suspension

Changing Outlook repeatedly will not fix a server-side mailbox problem.

21. MX Records and Outlook – Important Distinction

MX records determine where incoming internet email for your domain is delivered.

They do not directly tell Outlook which IMAP server to connect to.

Therefore, incorrect MX records can prevent external mail from arriving at your mailbox even if Outlook successfully connects to the Hostinger IMAP server.

This distinction is useful during troubleshooting.

22. SPF, DKIM and DMARC

A professional business email configuration should also consider:

SPF

Specifies which servers are authorized to send email for your domain.

DKIM

Adds a cryptographic signature to outgoing messages so receiving systems can validate them.

DMARC

Provides a policy for handling messages that fail authentication and enables reporting.

These records are not simply "Outlook settings." They are domain-level email authentication mechanisms.

Correct SPF, DKIM and DMARC configuration can improve email authentication and reduce spoofing risks.

23. Do Not Randomly Change DNS While Troubleshooting Outlook

If:

• Hostinger Webmail works,
• external email is arriving,
• and only one Outlook computer has a problem,

do not immediately modify MX, SPF or other DNS records.

The issue is more likely related to that Outlook installation, Windows computer, credentials, network, or account configuration.

DNS changes affect the entire domain and potentially every user.

24. Mailbox Storage Full

A full mailbox can create sending, receiving, or synchronization problems.

Check mailbox usage through Hostinger.

Possible solutions include:

• Delete unnecessary messages.
• Empty Trash.
• Remove emails with very large attachments.
• Archive old messages appropriately.
• Upgrade mailbox storage where required.

Do not permanently delete business email without checking backup and retention requirements.

25. Outlook Synchronization is Slow

Large IMAP mailboxes can take considerable time to synchronize after initial configuration.

This is especially common when the mailbox contains:

• many years of email,
• thousands of folders/messages,
• large attachments,
• several gigabytes of data.

After configuring a large mailbox, allow Outlook time to synchronize.

Do not assume the configuration has failed simply because all historical email does not appear immediately.

26. Sent Email Appears on One Device but Not Another

With IMAP, folder mapping and synchronization are important.

If Sent Items are inconsistent:

1. Check Hostinger Webmail.
2. Determine which server folder contains sent messages.
3. Allow Outlook to complete synchronization.
4. Verify that both devices use IMAP.
5. Restart Outlook if required.

A POP-configured device may behave differently because POP is not designed for full folder synchronization.

27. Duplicate Emails After Changing POP to IMAP

Duplicates can occur during migrations because old locally downloaded messages may already exist in Outlook while the newly configured IMAP account downloads server copies.

Before changing an established business mailbox from POP to IMAP:

• Back up Outlook.
• Determine which messages exist locally.
• Determine which messages remain on the server.
• Verify Sent Items.
• Identify the existing PST/OST files.
• Avoid deleting the old Outlook profile until data has been verified.

28. Backup Before Major Outlook Changes

Before deleting:

• an Outlook profile,
• an old POP account,
• a PST file,
• or locally stored mail,

create an appropriate backup.

This is especially important with POP accounts because some historical messages may exist only on the local computer.

Deleting a POP account or PST without verifying its contents can potentially result in loss of locally stored email.

29. Test the Account After Configuration

After Outlook is configured, perform several tests.

Test 1 – Send to yourself

Send a message from:

user@example.com

to:

user@example.com

Test 2 – Send to an external address

Send to Gmail, Outlook.com, or another external mailbox.

Test 3 – Reply from the external account

Reply back to your Hostinger mailbox.

Test 4 – Check Webmail

Verify whether the same messages appear in Hostinger Webmail.

Test 5 – Check mobile synchronization

If the mailbox is configured on a phone, confirm that the same messages and folders appear there.

Successful tests confirm both incoming and outgoing mail functionality.

30. Useful Windows Connectivity Tests

Advanced users can test whether the required ports are reachable from Windows PowerShell.

For IMAP:

Test-NetConnection imap.hostinger.com -Port 993

For SMTP:

Test-NetConnection smtp.hostinger.com -Port 465

For POP3:

Test-NetConnection pop.hostinger.com -Port 995

Look for:

TcpTestSucceeded : True

If it shows:

TcpTestSucceeded : False

investigate:

• Internet connectivity
• DNS resolution
• Windows Firewall
• antivirus/security software
• router/firewall policy
• ISP/network restrictions

A successful TCP test confirms basic network connectivity to the port, but it does not prove that the username, password, or Outlook configuration is correct.

31. Check DNS Resolution

You can also test whether Windows resolves the Hostinger server:

nslookup imap.hostinger.com

and:

nslookup smtp.hostinger.com

If DNS resolution itself fails, troubleshoot the computer/network DNS configuration before repeatedly modifying Outlook.

32. Antivirus and Firewall Considerations

Some antivirus or endpoint security products inspect encrypted email traffic.

If Outlook suddenly stops connecting after a security-software update, investigate whether:

• email scanning,
• SSL inspection,
• firewall filtering,
• application control

is affecting Outlook.

Do not permanently disable endpoint protection merely to make Outlook work.

For diagnosis, use controlled testing and restore security protection afterward.

33. Public Wi-Fi and Restricted Networks

Some corporate, hotel, public, or guest networks restrict certain email ports.

If Outlook works on one internet connection but fails on another, test using another trusted network.

For example:

• Office broadband
• Mobile hotspot
• Home broadband

If changing the network immediately fixes the issue, investigate the original network's firewall or filtering policy.

34. New Outlook vs Classic Outlook

Microsoft currently provides both New Outlook for Windows and Classic Outlook.

The menus and setup screens differ.

Therefore, instructions found online may appear incorrect simply because they were written for the other Outlook interface.

A simple clue:

If you see the traditional:

File → Account Settings

interface, you are generally working with Classic Outlook.

New Outlook uses a newer Settings-based account-management interface.

35. Common Configuration Mistakes

The most frequent mistakes include:

• Entering only the mailbox name instead of the full email address.
• Using the Hostinger account login password instead of the mailbox password.
• Selecting POP when IMAP was intended.
• Entering the wrong SMTP server.
• Using the wrong port.
• Selecting incorrect encryption.
• Forgetting SMTP authentication.
• Assuming an Outlook problem must be a DNS problem.
• Deleting an old POP profile without backing up the PST.
• Changing MX records when Webmail is already receiving correctly.

Recommended Configuration Summary

For most Hostinger business-email users using Outlook:

Account type

IMAP

Incoming server

imap.hostinger.com

Incoming port

993

Security

SSL/TLS

Outgoing server

smtp.hostinger.com

Outgoing port

465

Security

SSL/TLS

Username

Complete email address.

SMTP authentication

Enabled.

Password

The password assigned to the Hostinger mailbox.

Troubleshooting Decision Tree

Webmail works, Outlook doesn't

Investigate Outlook, credentials, ports, SSL/TLS, firewall, antivirus, and network.

Webmail receives but Outlook doesn't

Investigate IMAP configuration.

Outlook receives but won't send

Investigate SMTP configuration and authentication.

Neither Webmail nor Outlook receives external mail

Investigate mailbox status, domain, DNS and MX records.

Outlook works on mobile hotspot but not office Internet

Investigate the office firewall, DNS, router, security appliance, or ISP/network policy.

Old emails disappeared after changing from POP

Stop making changes and inspect the previous Outlook profile/PST backup before deleting anything.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the Hostinger IMAP server?

For standard Hostinger Email configurations, it is commonly:

imap.hostinger.com

with port 993 using SSL/TLS.

2. What is the Hostinger SMTP server?

It is commonly:

smtp.hostinger.com

with port 465 using SSL/TLS.

3. What is the Hostinger POP3 server?

It is commonly:

pop.hostinger.com

with port 995 using SSL/TLS.

4. Should I choose IMAP or POP for Outlook?

For most users, choose IMAP because it synchronizes messages and folders across devices.

5. Can I configure Hostinger email in Microsoft Outlook?

Yes. A Hostinger-hosted mailbox can be configured in Outlook using supported IMAP/POP and SMTP settings.

6. Can I use Hostinger email in New Outlook?

Yes. IMAP accounts are supported in New Outlook for Windows.

7. Can I use Hostinger email in Classic Outlook?

Yes. Classic Outlook supports manual IMAP and POP account configuration.

8. Why can Outlook receive email but not send?

Check the SMTP server, SMTP port, SSL/TLS setting and SMTP authentication.

9. Why can Outlook send but not receive?

Check your IMAP or POP configuration, mailbox password, server connectivity and mailbox status.

10. Why does Outlook keep asking for my password?

Common causes include an incorrect password, wrong username, incorrect server settings, stored credential problems, or authentication failures.

11. What username should I use?

Normally use your complete email address, such as:

name@example.com

12. Is my Hostinger login password the same as my email password?

Not necessarily. Use the password assigned to the individual email mailbox.

13. Why does Webmail work but Outlook doesn't?

That usually indicates the mailbox itself is working and the problem is more likely related to Outlook, Windows, credentials, configuration, or the local network.

14. Does Outlook need MX records?

Outlook connects to the mail server through IMAP/POP/SMTP. MX records control where internet mail for your domain is delivered.

15. Should I change MX records if Outlook stops working?

Not automatically. If Webmail continues receiving external email, changing MX records is usually not the first troubleshooting step.

16. Can antivirus software interfere with Outlook?

Yes. Email scanning, SSL inspection, firewall filtering, or application-control features can sometimes affect email connectivity.

17. Will deleting my Outlook account delete my emails?

It depends on how the mailbox was configured and where messages are stored. IMAP messages generally remain on the server, but POP accounts may contain locally stored mail. Always verify and back up important data first.

18. Why are my old emails taking time to appear?

A large IMAP mailbox may require significant time for the initial synchronization.

19. Can I use the same Hostinger email on my computer and phone?

Yes. IMAP is particularly suitable for this because messages and folders can synchronize across devices.

20. Can I configure the same mailbox on several computers?

Yes. IMAP is generally recommended when the same mailbox must be used on multiple computers or devices.

21. Why are Sent Items different on different devices?

Check whether every device uses IMAP and whether the correct server Sent folder is being synchronized.

22. Why did I get duplicate emails after changing from POP to IMAP?

Existing locally downloaded POP messages can overlap with server messages downloaded by the new IMAP account.

23. Should I delete my old POP account after creating IMAP?

Not immediately. First verify and back up the old Outlook data because historical messages may exist only in the local PST.

24. How can I test whether IMAP port 993 is reachable?

Run:

Test-NetConnection imap.hostinger.com -Port 993

25. How can I test SMTP connectivity?

Run:

Test-NetConnection smtp.hostinger.com -Port 465

A successful TCP test confirms basic network connectivity but not mailbox authentication.

Conclusion

Configuring Hostinger Email in Microsoft Outlook is normally straightforward when the correct protocol, server names, ports, encryption and authentication settings are used.

For most users, the preferred configuration is:

IMAP 993 SSL/TLS + SMTP 465 SSL/TLS

IMAP is particularly suitable for modern business environments because the mailbox can remain synchronized between Outlook, Webmail, smartphones and other computers.

When troubleshooting, first determine whether the problem exists in Hostinger Webmail, Outlook only, incoming mail only, outgoing mail only, or a particular network. This simple distinction can save considerable troubleshooting time and helps avoid unnecessary DNS or mailbox changes.

Most importantly, back up existing Outlook data before removing old POP accounts, PST files, or established Outlook profiles.

 

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