Add Gmail to Outlook

Question

I have been going in circles. I had my gmail account in Outlook classic. Then today I got an errormessage saying it could not connect to the server. Two other mail accounts are still working. Other computers are receiving gmail. I have removed the gmail account and when I try to re-install it I get the same error message. I need real human help to get this fixed.

Answer 1

Do either of these Microsoft Support articles describe your problem? If so, please try the workarounds suggested and report back if it fixes your issue.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/users-get-errors-0x800ccc0e-0x800ccc0f-synchronizing-gmail-and-yahoo-accounts-in-classic-outlook-e5a7b684-7c5c-4848-ab2d-d48291451f67

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

If you do not feel comfortable implementing the suggested workarounds, you can bring in Microsoft Support. Reference these Support articles and tell them you need help implementing these changes.

Chat Support

• Open a browser to https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/home/contact
• Tell us your problem: "Help implementing a Support Workaround"
• [Get Help] {Scroll down to the bottom of the page} [Sign in to Contact Support]
• Sign in with any Microsoft account
• Products and services: "Microsoft 365 and Office"
• Category: "Outlook"
• [Confirm]
• Choose a support option -> "Chat with a support agent in your web browser"

Answer 2

Hi Geoff White

I hope you are doing well ! I just want to check if you have had a chance to test the steps earlier? Please let me know if they helped resolve the issue or if you are still experiencing any difficulties. I am here to assist you further.

Best Regards

Answer 3

Dear Geoff White

Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Q&A forum. I am happy to help you today. Have you tried Q&A Assist suggestions? In addition, please:

1, Create a new Outlook profile (do not reuse the old one)

Even after removing an account, classic Outlook may keep corrupted profile data.

• Close Outlook
• Open Control Panel
• Select Mail (Microsoft Outlook)
• Choose Show Profiles
• Select Add and create a brand‑new profile
• Set the new profile as Always use this profile
• Open Outlook and add only the Gmail account first

2, Check and reset the default browser

Classic Outlook relies on the system default browser for OAuth sign‑in.

• Go to Windows Settings > Apps > Default apps
• Set Microsoft Edge as the default browser temporarily
• Restart Windows
• Try adding the Gmail account again in classic Outlook

3, Run an Online Repair of Microsoft Office

If Outlook binaries related to authentication are damaged, updates alone may not fix it.

• Close all Office apps
• Go to Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features
• Select Microsoft 365
• Choose Change
• Select Online Repair
• Restart the PC after completion

This reinstalls Outlook components without affecting your data.

4, Temporarily disable network inspection or security software

Some firewalls and endpoint security tools can block OAuth token exchange. Temporarily disable:

• Third‑party antivirus email scanning
• Firewall HTTPS inspection
• Retry adding the Gmail account
• Re‑enable protection after testing

I hope these steps help. Feel free to reply back if you still encounter issues. I am happy to assist further. Have a lovely day! 

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Answer 4

Spent 5 hours on this. Nothing works. How do I get a ntech on line to walk me trough this?

Answer 5

The Gmail account in classic Outlook is failing because of a known issue with Gmail authentication in Outlook classic. Removing and re‑adding the account without resetting the Google/Outlook connection and credentials keeps reproducing the same error.

Follow these steps in order on the affected PC.

1. Confirm Outlook is on a fixed build

• The issue is fixed starting with Current Channel Version 2404 (Build 17531.10000) for sign‑in problems, and Version 2412 Build 18324.20168 for the Retry flow when adding Gmail.
• In Outlook classic, go to File > Office Account and check the version/build.
• If the build is older than the ones listed above, select Update Options > Update Now, let Office update, then restart Outlook.

2. Use the Retry sign‑in (if offered)

• When Outlook shows the error while adding Gmail, look for a Retry link in the error window.
• Select Retry so Outlook opens the browser sign‑in again.
• In the Google sign‑in page, after entering the Gmail address and password, ensure the box is checked for:
  • “Read, compose, send, and permanently delete all your email from Gmail.” under Microsoft apps & services can access.
• Complete the sign‑in and let Outlook finish the setup.

If the Retry flow is not available or still fails, use the manual workaround below.

3. Remove Microsoft apps & services access in Gmail
4. Close Outlook completely.
5. Sign in to the Gmail account at google.com.
6. Select the profile picture > Manage your Google Account.
7. In the left menu, select Security.
8. Scroll to Your connections to third-party apps & services and select Microsoft apps & services.
9. Under Microsoft apps & services has some access to your Google Account, select See details.
10. Under Access you've given to Microsoft apps & services, select Remove all access.
11. Confirm.
12. Remove old Google IMAP credentials from Windows Credential Manager
13. Open Credential Manager from the Start menu (on some systems via Control Panel > Credential Manager).
14. Select Windows Credentials.
15. Under Generic Credentials, find entries starting with MicrosoftOffice16_Data:OAUTH2.
16. Expand each and hover over the name until the full name shows tp_google_imap_Oauth2 – these are the Gmail IMAP credentials.
17. Select Remove for each credential that includes MicrosoftOffice16_Data:OAUTH2 with tp_google_imap_Oauth2. There are typically two per Gmail account.
18. Re‑add Gmail in Outlook classic with browser sign‑in

• Start Outlook.
• If the Gmail account is still in the profile but not syncing, use the Sign in via browser bar if it appears and repeat the Google sign‑in, making sure to check the Microsoft apps & services permission box mentioned above.
• If the Gmail account was removed, go to File > Add Account, enter the Gmail address, and complete the browser sign‑in, again ensuring the permission box is checked.

6. If still seeing “We weren’t able to set up your Google account with IMAP”

• This error can also occur if IMAP is disabled in the Gmail account for users who still have that setting.
• Check the Gmail help article Add Gmail to another email client from Google to confirm IMAP is enabled if that setting exists on the account.

After these steps, Outlook classic should be able to connect and sync the Gmail account again while the other accounts continue to work.

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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