Outlook Keeps Asking for Password Even Though It Is Correct

Are you constantly being prompted to enter your Gmail password in Outlook- only to have it rejected or asked again moments later? You’re not alone. Many users face frustrating issues where Outlook cannot connect to Gmail and keep asking for Passwords.

This constant Outlook prompt can affect productivity, delay communication and create confusion. It mostly happens when changes in Gmail security settings, using outdated credentials in Outlook, issues with app password and authentication protocols like Oauth 2.0

In this write-up, we will help you to understand Outlook cannot connect to Gmail, keeps asking for password reasons, and quick fixes and alternative solutions to fix this query with maintained results. Whether you are using Outlook 2016, 2019, or 365. After reading this article you can easily fix this problem.

Why Does Outlook Cannot Connect to Gmail?

• Gmail accounts with Two-step verification enabled required an App Password when connecting with Third part applications like Outlook. If you enter your regular Gmail password instead of app password then Outlook keeps asking for the password.
• Google has official disabled access for less secure apps, including older versions of Outlook that don’t support Oauth authentication. This change means that unless Outlook uses modern authentication, Gmail will deny access even with the correct password.
• Running outdated versions of Outlook can result in compatibility issues with Gmail authentication systems. Outer builds may not support encryption and security protocols required by Google.
• If Outlook has saved incorrect credentials or outdated credentials, it may repeatedly fail to authenticate with Gmail if the password is correct. These cached entries can interfere with the login process.
• Sometimes, local firewalls or antivirus programs may block Outlook connection to Gmail server. Similarly restrictive connectivity can interrupt the authentication process.

Quick Fixes

Before going to deep troubleshoot try these simple methods to fix basic issues. As they mostly resolve this issues where they cannot connect to Gmail and keep asking for a password.

Method 1. Restart Outlook and Your Computer

• A quick restart can clear temporary glitches or hug processes that can interfere with Outlook connection to Gmail.

Method 2. Re-enter and Verify Gmail Credentials via Browser

• Login into your Gmail account via browser to confirm your password is correct and no security alerts are pending. Sometimes, Google may block login attempts from new apps or devices until verified through the browser.

Method 3. Ensure IMAP is Enabled in Gmail Settings

1. 1. Firstly, Open Gmail in a browser.
2. Now, Go to Settings and click on See All Settings.
3. Here, Choose Forwarding and POP/IMAP.
4. Finally, Enable IMAP and press Save changes.

Advanced Solution to Fix Outlook Keep asking for Password even though it is Correct

Solution 1 . Generate and Use Gmail App Password

1. First, open Google Account and click on Security.
2. Enable 2-Step Verification and return to app passwords.
3. Choose Mail and select Windows Computer and click on Generate.
4. Now, copy it and enter in Outlook when Outlook Cannot Connect to Gmail and keep asking for password.

Solution 2.. How to Update Outlook with App Password?

• Replace Gmail account password in Outlook and enter Generate app password. This bypasses Two Factor Authentication prompts and allows proper authentication.

Solution 3. . Allow Less Secure Apps

1. Visit: https://myaccount.google.com/lesssecureapps.
2. Turn on Allow less secure apps.
3. Try signing in again through Outlook.

Solution 4. Clear Cached Credentials

• Incorrect saved credentials can lead to repeated password prompts.

Solution 5. Delete Related Accounts in Windows Credential Manager

1. Go to the Control Panel and click on the Credential Manager.
2. Remove entries related to Outlook or Gmail.
3. Relaunch Outlook and re-enter credentials.

Solution 6. Delete Account Related Entries in Windows Email and Account Settings

1. Open Settings and click on Accounts.
2. Press on Email and Accounts.
3. Remove any Gmail accounts listed under Accounts used by other apps.

Solution 7. Update Outlook to Latest Version

1. Firstly, Open Outlook and navigate to the file.
2. Then, Click on Office Account and press on Update options.
3. Thereafter, Hit on Update Now.

Solution 8. Apply Pending Windows Updates

1. First, Press Win+S and type Check for updates.
2. Then, Click on check for updates again and if found then install it.

Solution 9. Configure Outlook Account Setting Manually

1. IMAP Setting for Gmail:
2. Incoming Mail Server: imap.gmail.com Port: 993 Encryption: Always use secured connection SSL.
3. Outgoing Mail Server: smtp.gmail.com Port:465 Encryption: Always use secured connection SSL
4. Required login for outgoing server: yes

Solution 10. Temporary Disable Antivirus and Firewall

• Disable your firewall or antivirus temporarily to test the connection. If it works, whitelist Outlook or Gmail servers.

Solution 11. Create a New Outlook Profile

1. Now, Go to the Control Panel and click on Mail(Microsoft Outlook).
2. Next, Click on Show Profiles and press on create a new Profile.
3. Then, Set the new profile as default and reconfigure your Gmail account.

Solution 12. Use Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant(SaRA)

1. Download and run: https://diagnostics.outlook.com
2. Select Outlook and choose I am having problems with my account and select Gmail login issues.

Solution 13. Remove and Re-Add your Gmail Account

1. In Outlook, navigate to file and select Account Settings.
2. After that, Press on Account Settings and select your Gmail account.
3. Now, Hit on Remove and click on Add Account.
4.  Thereafter, Setup a fresh account using correct credentials and app password.

Solution 14. Reinstall Outlook or Office Suite

• Complete reinstallation may fix deep corruption or authentication login issues.

Solution 15. Edit Windows Registry Settings

• Modify ExcludeExplicitO365Endpoint under:
  HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Common\Identity

Solution 16. Turn Off Cached Exchange Mode

1. First, Go to file and click on Account Security.
2. Next, Press on Account Settings and double click on Gmail account.
3. Then, Uncheck Use Cached Exchange Mode.
4. Finally, Relaunch Outlook to check Outlook Cannot Connect to Gmail or solved.

Toggling New Outlook vs Classic Mode

Some users reported that switching between New Outlook and classic re-triggers the proper Oauth authentication 2.0 prompt, fixing the issues.

Adding Gmail via Windows Access Work or School

• Link Gmail account through Settings and click on Accounts.
• Access Work or Schools to enable Oauth support directly.

When to Try Different Email Account

• If Outlook still won’t connect, consider switching to different email client like:
• You can locate Outlook data file location in local drive then easily import OST to Thunderbird, Apple Mail or any other email client.

Often Inquired Questions

How do I fix Outlook constantly prompting for password?

If you want to fix Outlook constantly prompting for password, then regenerate app password and update in Outlook. Now, clear saved credentials and check modern authentication enabled or supported.

Why is Outlook Rejecting my Gmail Password?

Outlook may reject your Gmail password if two-step verification is enabled and you’re not using an App Password. It can also happen when IMAP is disabled, using an older Outlook version, or Google may block connection due to less secure apps.

What to do if Outlook cannot connect to a Gmail Account?

Enable IMAP in Gmail Settings, update Outlook and use App Password if Two step verification is enabled, and clear cached credentials in Windows. Ensure you’re using correct server settings and check if antivirus or firewall software is blocking the connection.

Final Thoughts

Lets recap what we have learned in this article. We started by discussing an overview about how Outlook cannot connect to Gmail and keep asking for password. Then, we have discussed reasons behind Gmail on Outlook keeps asking for password. Moreover, we have also introduced all proven methods to fix Gmail password issues in Outlook and when it’s not working you can switch to another email client to continue work and prevent these issues completely.