one of my accounts in outlook is now requiring a password to open it

Russ Biretta 0 Reputation points
2026-09-03T17:19:53.8933333+00:00

One of my ou tlook accounts has started asking for a password to open it, a password was not required previously to open it

Outlook | Windows | New Outlook for Windows | For home
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  1. John Jefferson Doyon 86,980 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-09-03T18:06:03.6133333+00:00

    Hi, @Russ Biretta

    This can happen if Outlook needs to re-authenticate the account, for example after an update, password change, or sign-in/security change.

    First, try signing in to that email account directly through its webmail using the same password. If that works, restart New Outlook and try again.

    To help narrow this down:

    1. Is the affected account Outlook/Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo, or another email provider?
    2. What exactly does the password prompt say?
    3. Can you still sign in to that account successfully through a web browser?

    Click "Add comment" to let me know.

    Thanks!

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  2. AI answer

    2026-09-03T17:20:09.47+00:00

    If the account is in New Outlook for Windows, the password it wants depends on the mailbox provider:

    • Outlook.com / Hotmail / Live / MSN: use the Microsoft account password for that email address.
    • Gmail, Yahoo, iCloud, or another provider: use that provider’s password.

    Try these steps:

    1. Test the account in a browser first
      • Sign in to that same mailbox on its web page.
      • If browser sign-in fails, fix the password or verification issue there first.
    2. Remove and add the account again in New Outlook
      • Go to Settings > Accounts > Your accounts.
      • Select Manage next to the affected account.
      • Remove it, then add it again.
    3. If the prompt keeps looping, repair or reset New Outlook
      • Go to Windows Settings > Apps > Installed apps > Outlook (new) > Advanced options.
      • Try Repair first.
      • If that does not help, use Reset, then open New Outlook and add the account again.
    4. If the account uses two-step verification
      • Some accounts may require an app password or provider-specific sign-in setup.
      • For Outlook.com accounts in Outlook 2016 or Outlook 2013, two-step verification can require creating an app password.

    If the mailbox is a Microsoft account and the password is no longer accepted, recover the account here: Recover your account

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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