It seems like you're navigating through quite a puzzle with your Outlook 2021 login issue. Since you've successfully logged in via the web and ruled out network problems and antivirus interference, let's dig a bit deeper into the specific problem.
Here are some further troubleshooting steps you can take:
1. Set Default Account: If you accidentally created a new account, ensure that your original account is set as the default within Outlook:
- Open Outlook and go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings.
- Under the Email tab, verify which account is marked as default. If it's not your original account, set it as default.
2. Delete and Re-add Account: Since you mentioned setting up a new account, it might help to remove the problematic account and add it back:
- Go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings.
- Select the account giving you trouble and choose Remove.
- Then, click New to add the account back, entering your email and password carefully.
3. Check Server Settings: Ensure that the incoming and outgoing server settings are correct for your Outlook configuration. Sometimes, if the settings do not match, login issues can occur:
- For Exchange accounts, server settings can usually be auto-configured, but check with your IT support or the documentation specific to your email provider.
4. Delete old Cached Credentials: Even though you checked the Credential Manager, make sure there are no leftover entries that could cause conflicts. Go back and ensure all previous credentials related to Outlook or Exchange have been removed.
5. Update Windows: Ensure that your Windows operating system is up to date. Occasionally, there are underlying OS issues that affect applications like Outlook, and updates can fix these.
6. Check for Conflicting Applications: If you're running any other applications that might interfere with authentication (like VPNs, proxy servers, etc.), consider disabling them temporarily to see if that resolves the problem.
7. Reinstall Outlook: As a last resort, if nothing else seems to work, consider uninstalling and then reinstalling Outlook. This can clear up any stubborn issues caused by corrupted files or settings.
Since Outlook seems to be quite stubborn this time around, keeping an eye on any updates from Microsoft regarding bug fixes for known issues could also help. If you still can’t resolve it, support forums or Microsoft support might offer more personalized assistance. Good luck, and don't hesitate to reach out for further help!