Outlook is asking for email account password

Question

Microsoft outlook has started asking for a password for one of my email accounts.

Answer 1

Hello, I'm Quinn and here to help!

Outlook usually asks for your password when it can’t use the saved credentials anymore. This often happens if:

• You recently changed your email password
• Windows installed updates that reset authentication
• Your account’s security token expired

In many cases, simply signing in again with the correct password resolves the issue. If it only prompted once and then stopped, that’s normal. But if Outlook keeps looping and asking for your password, it’s likely still trying to use outdated cached credentials.

Here’s how to clear those saved entries in Credential Manager:

1. Press Win + S, type Manage Windows Credentials, and open it.
2. Remove any entries related to:
   1. Outlook
   2. Microsoft Office
   3. Your email address
3. Restart Outlook and sign in again with your current password.

If the problem persists after clearing credentials, double‑check your account’s server settings and whether your provider requires an app password. Updating Outlook to the latest version can also help.

Answer 2

If Microsoft Outlook is asking for a password for one of your email accounts, it could be due to several reasons. Here are some common causes and resolutions:

1. Stored Credentials: If you have recently changed your password, Outlook may still be trying to use the old credentials. You can resolve this by removing the stored credentials from the Windows Credential Manager. To do this, go to Control Panel > Credential Manager > Windows Credentials, and remove any entries related to Outlook or Microsoft 365.
2. Logon Network Security Setting: If you are using an older version of Outlook, check the Logon network security setting in the Microsoft Exchange account settings. It should be set to Anonymous Authentication. If it is set to a different value, change it accordingly.
3. Modern Authentication: If your organization has recently switched to Modern Authentication, ensure that it is enabled. This can help resolve persistent password prompts.
4. Updates: Ensure that you are running the latest version of Outlook. Sometimes, updates can resolve issues related to credential prompts.
5. Profile Issues: If the problem persists, consider creating a new Outlook profile. This can help bypass any corrupted settings in the existing profile.

If these steps do not resolve the issue, further investigation may be needed to determine if there are any domain or policy-related restrictions affecting your account.

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References:

• Outlook continually prompts for your password when you try to connect to Microsoft 365
• Outlook continues to prompt for credentials after your domain password changes