Cannot connect to incoming server when I try to add my gmail account to Outlook

Question

I am using Outlook for Microsoft 365 (the subscription version of Outlook).

I have had two gmail accounts connected to Outlook for some time. Both suddenly stopped updating, with a message that they couldn't connect to the server.

I checked the server settings, which seemed to be correct, but the error persisted many times. So I deleted both accounts and tried to add them again. I am now not able to add either of the accounts back to Outlook.

Where it gets stuck:

I followed the instructions to add an account here: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/add-a-gmail-account-to-outlook-70191667-9c52-4581-990e-e30318c2c081#:~:text=These%20steps%20are%20the%20same,email%20address%20and%20click%20Connect.

I hit File>Add Account and I have entered my gmail address into the box (well it was already there, so I have selected it from a drop down). The instructions suggest that when I hit "connect", I should get a dialogue box from Google asking me to enter my password. But the password box is not appearing. Instead I get the following message "Something went wrong. We couldn't connect to the incoming (POP/IMAP) server. Please check the incoming (POP/IMPA) server settings and try again."

What I have tried:

I checked the server settings, which are:

Incoming Mail (IMAP) Server	server: imap.gmail.com<br><br>encryption method: SSL/TLS<br><br>Port: 993
Outgoing Mail (SMTP) Server	server: smtp.gmail.com<br><br>encryption method: SSL/TLS<br><br>Port: 465

I checked the box for "require logon using Secure Password Authentication (SPA)" for both.

These settings appear correct according to the link: https://support.google.com/mail/answer/7126229?visit\_id=638181664994276578-334161911&hl=en&rd=1#zippy=%2Cstep-change-smtp-other-settings-in-your-email-client

I have checked in gmail that both accounts have the status "Status: IMAP is enabled". I have also disabled 2-factor authentication.

Can you please let me know if there are any other suggestions for how to get the connection to gmail accounts working?

thanks in advance

Answer 1

Hello Nikki Kahn,

Good day!

Thank you for posting to Microsoft Community. We are happy to help you.

This error message usually indicates that there is an issue with the incoming mail server settings in your email client. Here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot the issue:

1. First kindly share with us the version of your outlook as the picture below:

2. Verify your email settings: Double-check your incoming mail server settings to ensure that they are correct. You can usually find these settings in the email client's account settings or preferences. Make sure that the server's name, port number, and security settings are correct.

Please double check the IMAP account with setting given by Microsoft document: POP, IMAP, and SMTP settings - Microsoft Support

3.Check your internet connection: Make sure that you are connected to the internet and that your connection is stable. Sometime antivirus or firewall software can interfere with email connections.

4.check Outgoing Authentication Issue:

• Launch the Outlook application.
• Click on the File option, then select Account Settings from the Info tab.
• After that, choose the Account Settings option from the list.
• A new wizard will appear on the screen. Select the desired email account and press the Change option.

 

• Now, in the Add Account Window, press the more settings option.
• After that, select the Outgoing Server tab.
• Tick the My outgoing server (SMTP) requires the authentication option.

Finally, click on theOK button to save the settings. Restart Outlook to check whether the issue still persist.

5. Try a different email client: If you are still having trouble connecting to the incoming mail server, try using a different email client to see if the issue is with your email client or the server.

Please perform the different steps above to see if the issue still persists and respond back because the information will help to find out the cause and provide the right troubleshooting.

Please get back to us with necessary information, we’ll be glad to assist you further.

Appreciate your patience and understanding and thank you for your time and cooperation.

Sincerely,

Eben Ezer Tres | Microsoft Community Moderator

Answer 2

Hi thanks for your help. Please see progress update below... I am still having trouble.

1. Version of Outlook

2. The page you linked doesn't appear to have server settings for Gmail, but I believe I have the correct server settings based on online info published by Google. I tried changing the SMTP settings to encryption STARTTLS or TLS and port 587 - https://support.google.com/mail/answer/7126229?hl=en#zippy=%2Cstep-change-smtp-other-settings-in-your-email-client%2Cstep-check-that-imap-is-turned-on%2Ci-cant-sign-in-to-my-email-client

The only way I can get to the account settings to change them is if I try adding the account and then get the error message. Is this the correct place to be verifying the server settings?

3. Internet connection seems fine. Everything else on the internet is working. Access to Gmail has been working previously on this internet connection.
4. I have not been able to follow these instructions, as no "outgoing server settings" tab is showing for me. When I go into Account Settings I cannot select the Gmail account because it is not added yet. If I select my regular outlook email account and hit "Change" I get the options below - there is no server settings option. If I hit "new" to try and add the Gmail account, then I get the series of boxes shown in 2. above.

5. I don't have admin rights to download a different email client on my laptop, so can you please help with eliminating the other options before I do that/I may not be able to do that.

thanks

Answer 3

I have exactly the same problem. Tried all the same things. Outlook still will not connect to the gmail server, telling me it's using the wrong encryption. Like you, I had it working and then it stopped. I wiped out the account and tried to reinstall, but nothing . Tried varying the setting, with different encryption, different ports, but still nothing. Tried new profile. Nothing. Very frustrating. This gmail account works fine from other programs, including Microsoft "Mail" (which is soon to be phased out... replaced by Outlook ... which doesn't work!) It's got to be something with Outlook, but I cannot figure out what.