Outlook 2016 repeatedly asking for Password for gmail account

Anonymous
2022-10-03T04:14:03+00:00

Today, I've had to clean re-install Windows 10 and, therefore, also had to re-install Office 2016.

Everything is working fine except that I can't configure Outlook to retrieve emails from my gmail account and have been browsing/searching the subject for hours.

Have had the same problem a few times before and solved it by changing the following gmail settings:

(i) to accept "less secure apps" (which option, by the way, is no longer available),

(ii) turn off "2-step verification".

Those settings have not been changed since, but Outlook is repeatedly asking for a password and I can't set up the account. I get the same result if I let Outlook configure the account or if I do it manually using the settings from the gmail page or via the mail link in Control Panel.

Have also checked that Microsoft apps & services has been given access to gmail.

The only new thing I found was this: https://accounts.google.com/DisplayUnlockCaptcha and I confirmed.

Question: Is this a Microsoft problem or a gmail problem . . . each not trusting the other's security?

Anyway, whichever it is, I would be most grateful for suggestions.

Many thanks in advance.

Outlook | Windows | Classic Outlook for Windows | For business

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Anonymous
2022-10-03T05:04:36+00:00

Hello JohnTCI

Hi, I'm Karl and will be happy to help you today.

What you need to do is enable 2 factor authentications on your Gmail account and then generate an <App Password> to be used as the password or the email account in Outlook. This is a Google change that took effect June 1, 2022

Recap of steps

#1 - enable 2 factor authentication for the GMail account

Turn on 2-Step Verification

https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/1858...

#2 - generate a Google <App Password> for this account (do not turn off 2FA fter generating the <App Password>)

Sign in with App Passwords

https://support.google.com/mail/answer/185833?h...

#3 - Change the password in Outlook for the email account to use the <App Password> you generated in step #2 (suggest using copy ;n paste - the <App Password> is a contiguous 16 character string - no spaces)

*** for an account already configured in Outlook, to change the email account password

#4 - press CTRL+ALT+S to bring up the Send / Receive dialog

#5 - Select the <Group> (most people only have one) --> click on ,<Edit>

#6 - Select the GMail account --> click on <Account Properties>

#7 - paste the <App Password> for the email account password

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  1. Anonymous
    2022-11-02T09:17:01+00:00

    Thanks Karl.

    I looked in my MS account under subscriptions and there is nothing showing for Office 2019 pro plus.

    I have absolutely no idea what the package did when it asked me for a Key in June and accepted it.

    When I tried it yesterday (I was going into the early hours this morning) it never asked for a key when it installed which I thought odd. I used the settings in one of the office apps (Excel I think) and used the enter Key Code which did go in and activate or appeared to do so. I was not logged into MS when I did that but I am not sure if I was or not in June either.

    So I have no idea what the install once thing means, I thought perhaps foolishly, that it meant 1 PC so non transferable. Microsoft do not make any of this clear though they can fill pages with incomprehensible legal jargon designed to just baffle an ordinary person. I no longer have respect for that approach.

    This morning, its now 09:00 gmt, I have lost the will to keep trying any more. So this reply is being done from my phone.

    Thank you again.

    Phil

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  2. Anonymous
    2022-11-02T02:22:55+00:00

    Karl,

    I found the microsoft account layout and what was presented so confusing I have absolutely no idea.

    The instructions that came with the licences said they could only be used on 1 pc. It installed and activated when I first installed it but what the hell goes on behind in internet land is not visible at that time, its not documented and I have given up with it.

    I have spend lord knows how much on office since MS Dos, Win 3.11, office 1.1 through win and office 95, 97, win and office 2000 each time getting nothing more than was in the previous version . Add to that buying full retail windows licences over the years . Its way too much money these days to be spending on more. I'm done with it as private individual funding a greedy business.

    Office 2010 is on my pc now I don't want to even look at the MS account stuff again. I barely log into it except in desperation these last few months. I hate everything thats going on with the way software has gone. Not just with MS but Google too. The greed of these organisations and others too, the monopolisation of markets through their activities is no longer tenable.

    Thank you for your patience and help, I have been struggling for ages and yours has been by far the most direct and practical help. I have taken up too much of your time and way too much of mine trying to fix this garbage.

    It is time to check out, stop wasting your time and say enough..

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  3. Karl Timmermans 3,685 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2022-11-02T01:42:41+00:00

    I'll go back to the original Office Pro 2010 I bought years ago. If I can get it to work with an App Password great if not, then I'm done buying Microsoft stuff. I will have to just stop using email and all that goes with it.

    Be aware that one thing you will not be able to do with '2010 is add an Outlook.com account as an Exchange account

    As far as '2019 goes, as mentioned, if it was a legitimate license, it would be shown under your Microsoft Account after you redeemed the product key.

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  4. Anonymous
    2022-11-02T01:01:19+00:00

    Ok, well the Amazon advert said it was legitimate but could only be used on 1 pc so non transferable.

    I'll go back to the original Office Pro 2010 I bought years ago. If I can get it to work with an App Password great if not, then I'm done buying Microsoft stuff. I will have to just stop using email and all that goes with it.

    This whole thing has been horribly stressful and I can't deal with it any more.

    Thank you for your help Karl.

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