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I get a 403- Forbidden: access is denied message when trying to access my Microsoft Outlook Web App email

  • 2 replies
  • 10 have this problem
  • 1401 views
  • Last reply by jwepman

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I am using Firefox version 33.0 with an Ubuntu 14.04 LTS operating system. I get a 403- Forbidden: access is denied message when trying to access my Microsoft Outlook Web App (OWA) email. When I use another computer running Firefox version 33.1.1 with a Window 7 operating system, I can access my Microsoft Outlook Web App email perfectly. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get my Firefox browser on the Ubuntu machine to be able to access my email on OWA?

I am using Firefox version 33.0 with an Ubuntu 14.04 LTS operating system. I get a 403- Forbidden: access is denied message when trying to access my Microsoft Outlook Web App (OWA) email. When I use another computer running Firefox version 33.1.1 with a Window 7 operating system, I can access my Microsoft Outlook Web App email perfectly. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get my Firefox browser on the Ubuntu machine to be able to access my email on OWA?

Chosen solution

This issue can be caused by corrupted cookies or cookies that are blocked.


Clear the cache and remove cookies only from websites that cause problems.

"Clear the Cache":

  • Edit > Preferences > Advanced > Network > Cached Web Content: "Clear Now"

"Remove Cookies" from sites causing problems:

  • Edit > Preferences > Privacy > "Use custom settings for history" > Cookies: "Show Cookies"

Start Firefox in Safe Mode to check if one of the extensions (Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Extensions) or if hardware acceleration is causing the problem.

  • Switch to the DEFAULT theme: Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Appearance
  • Do NOT click the Reset button on the Safe Mode start window
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Chosen Solution

This issue can be caused by corrupted cookies or cookies that are blocked.


Clear the cache and remove cookies only from websites that cause problems.

"Clear the Cache":

  • Edit > Preferences > Advanced > Network > Cached Web Content: "Clear Now"

"Remove Cookies" from sites causing problems:

  • Edit > Preferences > Privacy > "Use custom settings for history" > Cookies: "Show Cookies"

Start Firefox in Safe Mode to check if one of the extensions (Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Extensions) or if hardware acceleration is causing the problem.

  • Switch to the DEFAULT theme: Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Appearance
  • Do NOT click the Reset button on the Safe Mode start window
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Following these instructions, I now can access OWA from Firefox on my Ubuntu machine. Thank you!