outlook for windows not saving password even after entering. Program will open but reverts back to asking for my password

Question

Outlook for windows keeps asking for my password. I keep entering my password but program starts to cycle and then opens new window asking for password.

Answer 1

The behavior typically indicates an authentication or cached-credentials problem. Use these steps in order:

1. Verify username and password

• Ensure Caps Lock is off.
• Confirm the username is the full email address (for example, ******@contoso.com).
• If the password was recently changed with the email provider, make sure Outlook is using the new password. If needed, first change it on the provider’s site, then update it in Outlook using the steps in Change or update your email password in Outlook for Windows.

2. Clear stored Windows credentials for Outlook Sometimes old or corrupted cached credentials cause a loop of password prompts.

• Open Control Panel → Credential Manager → Windows Credentials.
• Find any entries that mention Outlook, Office, Microsoft 365, or your mail server.
• Remove those entries.
• Close and reopen Outlook and sign in again when prompted.

3. Remove old saved Outlook credentials after a password change (classic Outlook) If the Windows account password or domain password was changed, previously saved credentials may conflict.

• Open Control Panel → Credential Manager.
• Remove all credentials that contain “Outlook” in the name.
• Restart Outlook and sign in again.

4. Make sure Outlook and Windows are fully updated

• In Outlook, go to File → Account → Update Options → Update Now to install the latest Office updates.
• Install the latest Windows updates as well, since older Windows builds can cause password persistence issues.

5. Check Office sign-in cache (if Office apps also keep asking to sign in) If all Office apps (Word, Excel, Outlook) ask for sign-in repeatedly, clearing the local identity cache can help:

• Close all Office apps.
• Go to C:\Users\<YourUserName>\AppData\Local\Microsoft.
• Delete the identitycache and oneauth folders.
• Reopen Outlook and sign in again.

If the issue persists after these steps, test Outlook on the web (Outlook.com or your provider’s webmail) to confirm the account and password work there. If web access works but the desktop app still loops, creating a new Outlook profile or contacting the email/IT administrator for further authentication or certificate checks may be required.

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References:

• Troubleshoot Outlook email setup
• Outlook continues to prompt for credentials after your domain password changes
• Outlook continually prompts for your password when you try to connect to Microsoft 365
• Outlook and other apps won't remember password after Windows Updates
• Do you know how to fix the issue where Outlook keeps prompting for a password even though credentials are saved - Microsoft Q&A
• Outlook ask for credentials every minute - Microsoft Q&A
• How to fix the issue with MS Office asking you to log in every time you open an Office app - Microsoft Q&A