Outlook keeps popping up a box asking for your password, even though you typed it right. This usually means the password Outlook has saved is out of date, or your email account needs a different way to sign in. It happens a lot with a Gmail account added to Outlook.
⚡ The short version
- Check Caps Lock and that the username is your full email address.
- Changed your password on the website? Update it in Outlook too.
- Gmail in Outlook: use Sign in with Google and update Outlook.
- Two-step verification on and it still won't take your password? Create an app password and use that instead.
Step by step
Check the basics
Passwords are case sensitive, so make sure Caps Lock is off. Microsoft says your username is your full email address (for example, [email protected]), not just the first part.
Changed your password? Update it in Outlook
If Outlook worked before and now keeps asking, Microsoft says you probably changed the password with your email company and didn't update Outlook, or (on a work account) the password expired. In the new Outlook, select your email account name, select Continue and sign in with the new password. In classic Outlook, enter the new password when asked.
Forgot the password itself? See Can't sign in to your email.
Gmail in Outlook: use “Sign in with Google”
Google's advice is to sign in to Outlook with your Google Account username and use Sign in with Google, and to make sure you have the latest version of Outlook. If you've turned on 2-Step Verification and Outlook can't use Sign in with Google, use an app password (next step).
Two-step verification on? Use an app password
An app password is a special password you make on your email company's website and paste into Outlook instead of your normal password. It only works if two-step verification is turned on.
- Gmail: create one from your Google Account (Google's page is in Sources). It's a 16-digit code. Google doesn't recommend app passwords if Sign in with Google works. Google also cancels your app passwords when you change your Google password, so make a new one after a password change.
- Outlook.com / Hotmail: Microsoft says Outlook may keep asking and refuse your correct password if you have two-step verification on. Sign in at account.microsoft.com, go to the advanced security options and, under App passwords, create a new one. Paste it when Outlook asks for your password.
You usually only need to enter an app password once per app or device.
Classic Outlook never shows the password box?
When adding an IMAP account (Gmail, Yahoo, iCloud or your internet provider), Microsoft says to make sure Require logon using Secure Password Authentication (SPA) is unchecked. If that doesn't help, add the account from Control Panel → Mail → Email Accounts → New.
Work or school account (Microsoft 365)? Your IT team manages sign-in. Ask them before changing settings.