classic outlook

Question

cannot add a gmail account in classic outlook. Doesnt matter if I try atuomatically or manually

Answer 1

Have you run into this know bug?

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

Answer 2

Hi Joseph,

Do you get any error message while trying to configure the account?

Is the computer connected to a VPN?

I’m eager to hear back and work together to find a solution.

Answer 3

Follow these steps that address current Gmail/classic Outlook issues.

1. Confirm Outlook build and use the Gmail “Retry” flow

• In classic Outlook, select File > Office Account > About Outlook and confirm that Current Channel is at least Version 2412 Build 18324.20168.
• Try adding the Gmail account again via File > Add Account.
• Enter the Gmail address, select Connect.
• When the Google sign‑in window opens, sign in and on the permissions page make sure to check:
  • “Read, compose, send, and permanently delete all your email from Gmail.” under Microsoft apps & services can access.
• If a Something went wrong or IMAP error appears, select Retry and complete the browser sign‑in again, ensuring that permission box is checked.

2. If adding still fails, use the manual workaround (reset Google access + credentials)

Step 1 – Remove Microsoft apps & services access in Google

1. Close Outlook completely.
2. Sign in to the Google account in a browser.
3. Select the profile picture > Manage your Google Account.
4. Go to Security.
5. Under Your connections to third‑party apps & services, select Microsoft apps & services.
6. Under Microsoft apps & services has some access to your Google Account, select See details.
7. Under Access you've given to Microsoft apps & services, select Remove all access, then Confirm.

Step 2 – Delete the stored Google IMAP OAuth credentials

1. Open Credential Manager (Start menu search for Credential Manager; on some systems open Control Panel first).
2. Select Windows Credentials.
3. Under Generic Credentials, find entries starting with MicrosoftOffice16_Data:OAUTH2.
4. Expand each and hover over the name until tp_google_imap_Oauth2 appears in the full name.
5. Remove each credential that includes tp_google_imap_Oauth2 (there are typically two per Gmail account).

Step 3 – Add the Gmail account again in Outlook

1. Open Outlook.
2. If the account was removed, select File > Add Account and enter the Gmail address.
3. When the browser sign‑in appears, sign in and on the permissions page check the box for Microsoft apps & services can access: “Read, compose, send, and permanently delete all your email from Gmail.”
4. Select Allow and complete setup.
5. If Outlook will not accept the Gmail password

• Older classic Outlook builds may not support the newer, faster Gmail OAuth flow.
• In that case, configure Gmail with two‑factor authentication and create a Google app password, then use that app password in Outlook instead of the normal Gmail password.
• Alternatively, use the advanced/manual POP or IMAP setup in Outlook and supply the app password when prompted.

4. If automatic setup fails repeatedly

• Use File > Add Account > Advanced options > Let me set up my account manually.
• Choose POP or IMAP, enter the Gmail server settings from Google, and use the Google app password if required.

If these steps are followed (especially removing old OAuth credentials and re‑granting full Gmail access to Microsoft apps & services), Gmail accounts should add and sync correctly in classic Outlook.

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References:

• Unable to add a Gmail account to classic Outlook
• Add a Gmail account to Outlook for Windows
• Unable to sign in or add a Gmail account to classic Outlook
• Troubleshoot Outlook email setup
• Fixes or workarounds for recent issues in classic Outlook for Windows