trying to create an app-specific password for microsoft sign in with repeated error messages

Im trying to sign in to my apple email on a windows microsoft laptop. Ive followed the instructions online and got into my emails online . However, whenever i get close to a step where i think my app-specific password might be generated (so i can use that to sign into my email account on my laptop that is linked to microsoft) I get an error message saying bad gateway or error (number.) It doesnt matter what i try or how many times i start fresh from scratch. The community advice is something about signing out, resetting, starting again.....why? Isn't it annoying and ridiculously inconvenient enough that we need to generate an app specific password (Unllike any other email provider requires ?) Clearly not ! Apple........why do you make everything so much harder and more frustrating than anyone else? Loving the way i cant access support either (except from the community )