connect gmail to outlook - my account quit working this morning

Question

Connect gmail to outlook. Was connected prior and now it is not.

Answer 1

@SANDRA LANE
Have you run into this known bug with Outlook Classic GMail account? The article title is "Unable to add a Gmail account ..." but I have seen reports that this bug can also cause working GMail accounts to fail. The fix is the same - Clear the Windows Credentials.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/unable-to-add-a-gmail-account-to-classic-outlook-4d9530c5-3f40-4e6d-9b45-4477f160828f

Answer 2

Hello, thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A.

I understand that you’re experiencing issues connecting your Gmail account to the Outlook desktop app.

1. Have you previously been able to connect this account in Outlook, or is this the first time you’re setting it up?
2. Are you seeing any specific error codes or error messages in Outlook? If so, please share the exact wording.

Meanwhile, see if you are adding the gmail email account using advanced settings:

Change or update email account settings in Outlook for Windows

Answer 3

Classic Outlook has several known issues where previously working Gmail accounts suddenly stop syncing. Use these steps, which align with current fixes and workarounds:

1. Update Outlook to a fixed build
   Recent fixes for Gmail sign-in and sync issues are only available in newer builds. Update first:

• In Outlook, go to File > Office Account > Update Options > Update Now.
• Ensure Outlook is on a build that includes the Gmail fixes (for example, Version 2404 or later for recent sign-in issues).

2. Re-run the Google consent with full permissions
   If the account appears in Outlook but will not sync and you see IMAP or connection errors, the usual cause is that the Gmail consent did not grant full access:

• In Outlook, when prompted to sign in to Gmail in the browser, make sure the checkbox is selected for:
  “Read, compose, send, and permanently delete all your email from Gmail.”
• If you see an error window in Outlook with a Retry link (on Current Channel Version 2412 Build 18324.20168 or later), select Retry to repeat the browser sign-in and this time check that box.
• If the Gmail account was removed from the profile, use File > Add Account, add the Gmail address again, and complete the browser sign-in with that permission checked.

3. Fix “browser or app may not be secure” / IMAP setup errors
   If Outlook shows messages like:

• “The browser or app may not be secure.”
• “We weren’t able to set up your Google account with IMAP. You may need to make changes to your Gmail settings.”

Then:

• Make sure Outlook is updated to a build that opens sign-in in a separate browser window (Version 2404 or later as listed in the fix).
• If IMAP is still enabled in your Gmail account, verify it is turned on (see step 4 below).

4. Verify IMAP and folder visibility in Gmail
   If Outlook cannot connect or folders are missing:

• In a browser, go to Gmail.com.
• Open Settings > Forwarding and POP/IMAP.
• Under IMAP access, select Enable IMAP, then Save Changes.
• Go to the Labels tab and ensure Show in IMAP is enabled at least for Inbox, Sent Mail, Trash, All Mail, and any other labels that should appear in Outlook.
• Back in Outlook, refresh/send–receive; allow up to 15 minutes for sync to resume.

5. If the Allow button is greyed out when adding Gmail
   If, during Google consent, the Allow button is greyed out:

• Update Outlook to Version 2003 Build 12624.20382 or later where this is fixed.
• Until updated, try:
  • Rebooting the machine and trying again.
  • Temporarily changing the default browser (for example, switch from Edge to Chrome or vice versa), then add the Gmail account again. Afterward, switch the default browser back.

6. If Outlook says “Sorry, we could not sign you in to Google – IMAP”
   For this specific error when adding Gmail:

• Ensure Outlook is updated to Version 2008 Build 13127.20296 or later, where the issue is fixed.
• If still on an older build, enable optional connected experiences:
  • In any Office app, go to File > Office Account > Account Privacy > Manage Settings.
  • Check Enable optional connected experiences.
  • Restart Outlook and add the Gmail account again.

7. If the account still will not sync after all steps

• Remove the Gmail account from the Outlook profile (File > Account Settings > Account Settings), then add it back and complete the browser sign-in with full Gmail permissions.
• If the profile is badly corrupted, create a new Outlook profile and add the Gmail account there, then sign in via browser as above.

These steps address the current known causes where a previously working Gmail account in classic Outlook suddenly stops working.

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References:

• Unable to add a Gmail account to classic Outlook
• Unable to sign in or add a Gmail account to classic Outlook
• Unable to add a Gmail account to Outlook "Could not sign you in to Google"
• Unable to add a Gmail account to Outlook - Allow button grayed out
• Fix problems connecting your Google account to the Microsoft Cloud