Microsoft Outlook is a great email client that allows users to use various email accounts from one window. However, some people often get an error when adding a Gmail account. If Microsoft Outlook cannot connect to Gmail and keeps asking for a password whenever you try to add a new Gmail account, you are not alone. This problem also happens with an already-added account. Here are some suggestions that can help you solve this problem.
Outlook cannot connect to Gmail
The main reason why it happens is that you are trying to add a Gmail account that has two-step verification enabled. The Windows Mail app can provide the actual Gmail login prompt, but Outlook doesn’t do that. Instead, it shows the native window where you have to enter the username and password once.
To solve this problem, you need to enable IMAP and use App Password to log in. Although the IMAP should be enabled by default, you still should check the settings. Open your Gmail account, click on the settings gear icon visible on the top-right corner, and select Settings. Switch to Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab. Make sure the Enable IMAP item is selected, and the status is IMAP is enabled.
Now, you need to create an app password. An App Password is a one-time password that you use instead of verifying yourself with two-step verification. To do this, open your Gmail account > click on your profile picture > click on My Account.
Next, go to Sign-in & security. Scroll down and find out App passwords.
After that, you need to enter your Gmail account password again. Then, you can choose an app and a device from the drop-down menu. Finally, hit the GENERATE button.
You will immediately see a 16-digit password on your screen. Use that password instead of the regular account password in Outlook.
Read:
- Cannot add Gmail to Outlook: This browser or app may not be secure
- Outlook keeps asking for a password when connecting to Office 365.
You should not see any errors after that. Now, you need to perform these two steps repeatedly for every Gmail account that you want to add if you get such errors.
PS: MaybePossiblyRight adds in the comments below: You need to enable “Less Secure Apps Allowed” on your Google account to use it with Outlook.
Related read: How to set up Microsoft Outlook for Gmail.
My experience with setting up a Gmail account, using Outlook, is similar but less complicated. When Outlook asked for my password I entered my regular password. That did not work, many times, as mentioned in the article above. I then remembered that I had a two factor password and wondered what happened if I entered that password. So, I entered that password and it worked and nothing further was needed. I did not have to create or enter any other passwords. My account was created.
I’ve had to reinstall Windows 3 times since then (don’t ask) and I entered just my two-factor password. Each time I created my Outlook Gmail account was created.
I am not disputing what is written above. This author may have had to follow the steps as written. I am just suggesting that after entering a two-factor password in the regular password box, try pressing Enter. The account will probably be created. If not, try the additional step as mentioned by this author.
I don’t have 2 step verification on but am still repeatedly being asked for my password. This situation is not mentioned here.
I do not see a sections for Apps Password. All I see is 2-Step Verification which is Off
Selecting Allow less secure apps to ON, then repair in Outlook worked.
me either
Yes, Allowing less secure apps is the fix, assuming you don’t have two factor on. This setting is at the bottom of the tab Apps With Account Access. The problem stemmed from a recent security audit Google convinced me to do. Not a drama, but who would have thought Microsoft Outlook 2016 is STILL an unsecure app and can’t pass muster…?
Yes, as Ian says, allowing less secure apps is the fix, assuming you don’t have two factor on. This setting is at the bottom of the tab Apps With Account Access. The problem stemmed from a recent security audit Google convinced me to do. Not a drama, but who would have thought Microsoft Outlook 2016 is STILL an unsecure app and can’t pass muster…?
EXCELLENT TIP !!!! MANY THANKS!!! IT WORKED!!!!
That was very helpful
I know this is old, but you need to enable “Less Secure Apps Allowed” on your Google account to use it with Outlook. I know you probably figured this out by now, but thought I would reply for anyone else reading this.
Enabling “Less secure apps allowed” under Gmail settings resolved the issue in second.
Thank a lot.
set up 2 step verification on, then you will see the App Password
set up 2 step verification on, then you will see the App Password option
set up 2 step verification on, then you will see the App Password option, then set the app pasword and enter that password instead of your gmail password.
Thanks doode, worked like a charm!
Mine works intermittently, i have to recreate an app password all the time.
This is annoying.
I don’t want 2 factor off, i Just want this to work.
THANKS A LOOOT
This is the best explanation I’ve read and, after three unsuccessful hours with other online “solutions,” the only one that worked. One key piece of info is that I needed to generate a NEW 16-character code for each device. I kept trying the code I generated for my cell phone with my laptop setup. Once I generated a new code for my laptop, it worked!
I have tried all suggestions here but Outlook 365 will also not accept my two-step verification app password. I have also tried turning off two-step verification but still nothing works. Google say it is a Microsoft issue, Microsoft do not respond (to anything, ever). Run out of options.
Thank you for this tidbit. You solved my problem as well!
Me too man. I’ve tried all of this, app password, allow insecure apps, etc. Just keeps prompting me over and over for password. Frustrating
I’ve tried the app password solution, I’ve tried turning off 2 step authorization, I allowed less secure apps, and I still keep getting promoted for password over and over. Very frustrating.
WOO HOO! Old answer but still relevant and solved my Outlook password problem. THANK YOU.
THANK GOD!! This article is a life saver! thanks for being so easy to understand and precise!
I still can’t seem to get this to work. I forgot about the app specific passwords, but I got that set up now, it still continues to prompt for my password over and over again.
I went looking for that ‘enabled less secure login’ options, this article, and the comments don’t give enough information to find it, so I had to do a google search for it. Upon finding it, It tells me I cannot do this, as I have 2 factor authentication enabled, and I should just create an app password.
Using Outlook 2016 64bit with a GSuite account.
Am in the same situation here, at first outlook worked fine, but the very next day it kept asking for my password and user name, nothing worked after that, not the two step verification, not my normal password, nothing. Did you find a solution?