Microsoft outage disrupts services across Wiltshire and beyond

Summarised from 5 outlets · 15 reports · Updated 13 Nov, 17:28 · Archive

A global Microsoft outage affecting Outlook, Teams and other services has disrupted businesses, GP surgeries, transport and emergency services across at least 74 countries.

A global Microsoft outage that began late on Thursday 12 November has disabled access to Outlook, Teams, Copilot, SharePoint and other Microsoft 365 services. The problem affects at least 74 countries. Downdetector first reported a spike in Microsoft Teams issues in the UK at around 6.15pm on Thursday, with more than 130,000 users reporting Outlook problems in the US at the outage's peak.

Microsoft confirmed that the outage is not the result of a cyberattack or malicious activity, but is linked to elevated load on its infrastructure. The company said recovery was not progressing 'as expected' and has not provided a confirmed timeline for full restoration across all affected services and countries.

GP surgeries across Swindon and Wiltshire have warned patients of ongoing disruption. Eldene Surgery in Swindon said that responses to online consultation requests may be delayed, text reminders may not arrive, hospital correspondence may be slow to reach the practice, and referral forms and clinical correspondence may be delayed. The surgery advised patients with urgent concerns to telephone the practice, and those with life-threatening emergencies to call 999.

Great Western Railway announced it is unable to automatically email ticket confirmations to customers. Journeys between London Paddington, Swindon, Gloucester and Cheltenham are affected. Customers can still access tickets through the GWR app or the My Journeys section of their account. Barnes Coaches, a Swindon transport provider, confirmed it cannot send or receive emails and asked customers to contact it by phone for urgent enquiries, though its online booking system remains operational.

Wiltshire Police said its website cannot receive report submissions. The force directed people reporting time-critical incidents that are not emergencies to call 101, and those with emergencies to call 999. Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue asked people to call rather than email about anything time-urgent. Fire safety concerns can be reported on 01722 691717 during office hours or 0306 799 0019 out of hours.

NHS staff said critical services and appointments are continuing despite the outage and patients should attend appointments unless told otherwise. For immediate medical help, patients should call 111, or 999 in an emergency.

How it is being reported

• Emergency services across Wiltshire issue advice after Microsoft outagePolice, fire and NHS services have issued advice after a global Microsoft outage disrupted online systems, including police reporting services.Salisbury Journal · 13 Nov, 13:00
• Train and coach disruption hits Swindon as passengers given tickets warningTravel companies across Swindon have issued warnings to passengers after a global Microsoft Outlook outage is causing disruption to booking and email systems.Swindon Advertiser · 13 Nov, 11:12
• GWR issues warning to customers travelling amid global Microsoft outageA Microsoft outage is disrupting automatic ticket email confirmations for Great Western Railway customers.Swindon Advertiser · 13 Nov, 10:48
• GWR issues warning to customers travelling amid global Microsoft outageA Microsoft outage is disrupting automatic ticket email confirmations for Great Western Railway customers.This Is Wiltshire · 13 Nov, 10:48
• GWR issues warning to customers travelling amid global Microsoft outageA Microsoft outage is disrupting automatic ticket email confirmations for Great Western Railway customers.Gazette & Herald · 13 Nov, 10:48
• GWR issues warning to customers travelling amid global Microsoft outageA Microsoft outage is disrupting automatic ticket email confirmations for Great Western Railway customers.Wiltshire Times · 13 Nov, 10:48
• BREAKING: Microsoft outage impacting daily GP services across WiltshirePatients at GP surgeries across Wiltshire are being warned of ongoing disruption to daily services due to a global Microsoft outageSwindon Advertiser · 13 Nov, 09:38
• BREAKING: Microsoft outage impacting daily GP services across WiltshirePatients at GP surgeries across Wiltshire are being warned of ongoing disruption to daily services due to a global Microsoft outageWiltshire Times · 13 Nov, 09:38
• BREAKING: Microsoft outage impacting daily GP services across WiltshirePatients at GP surgeries across Wiltshire are being warned of ongoing disruption to daily services due to a global Microsoft outageGazette & Herald · 13 Nov, 09:38
• LIVE: Parents and shoppers warned 'not to email' - full list of firms & schoolsBusinesses across Swindon and Wiltshire have been hit by a global Microsoft outage affecting servicesWiltshire Times · 13 Nov, 07:58
• LIVE: Microsoft scrambles to fix outage - here's how Wiltshire's affectedBusinesses across Swindon and Wiltshire have been hit by a global Microsoft outage affecting servicesGazette & Herald · 13 Nov, 07:58
• LIVE: Microsoft scrambles to fix outage - here's how Wiltshire's affectedBusinesses across Swindon and Wiltshire have been hit by a global Microsoft outage affecting servicesSwindon Advertiser · 13 Nov, 07:58
• LIVE: Parents and shoppers warned 'not to email' - full list of firms & schoolsBusinesses across Swindon and Wiltshire have been hit by a global Microsoft outage affecting servicesSwindon Advertiser · 13 Nov, 07:58
• LIVE: Microsoft scrambles to fix outage - here's how Wiltshire's affectedBusinesses across Swindon and Wiltshire have been hit by a global Microsoft outage affecting servicesWiltshire Times · 13 Nov, 07:58
• LIVE: Parents and shoppers warned 'not to email' - full list of firms & schoolsBusinesses across Swindon and Wiltshire have been hit by a global Microsoft outage affecting servicesGazette & Herald · 13 Nov, 07:58

In this story: Microsoft · Great Western Railway · Eldene Surgery · Wiltshire Police · Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue · Swindon · Wiltshire · Charles Lamanna

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log