Syncing Outlook folders with gmail doesnt work anymore

Question

When trying to sync my Outlook Folders with Gmail, I continue to get error messages that server cannot be found. Please help.

Answer 1

The current workaround for this bug is in the link shared above. Alternatively, you may use Outlook on the web or the new Outlook app in the meantime.

Answer 2

Hi,

Several users have recently reported experiencing this issue. The Microsoft team is currently aware of the problem and is actively investigating the cause. While a permanent fix has not yet been released, Microsoft has provided a temporary workaround that may help resolve the issue in the meantime. You can find the details of the current workaround here:

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

Answer 3

The error that the server cannot be found when syncing Gmail in classic Outlook is commonly caused by recent changes in Gmail/Google authentication and IMAP settings, or by how the Gmail account was originally authorized in Outlook.

Use these steps to restore syncing:

1. Confirm IMAP is enabled in Gmail
   • In a browser, sign in to Gmail.
   • Go to Settings > Forwarding and POP/IMAP.
   • Under IMAP access, make sure Enable IMAP is selected.
   • Select Save Changes.
2. Verify Gmail server settings in Outlook Ensure Outlook is using the correct IMAP/SMTP settings for Gmail:
   • Incoming (IMAP) server: imap.gmail.com, SSL required, Port 993
   • Outgoing (SMTP) server: smtp.gmail.com, SSL required, Port 465 or TLS/STARTTLS Port 587, Authentication required
   • Username: full Gmail address
   • Password: Gmail password (or app password if using that method)
3. Re‑authorize Gmail access for classic Outlook (permissions issue) If the Gmail account was added previously and syncing suddenly stopped with server errors, the cause can be missing permissions granted to Microsoft apps & services:
   • In classic Outlook, when the Gmail sign‑in window appears, ensure the option is checked for: “Read, compose, send, and permanently delete all your email from Gmail.”
   • On updated Outlook builds (Current Channel Version 2412 Build 18324.20168 or later), use the Retry link on the Outlook error window to reopen the browser sign‑in and re‑grant this permission.
4. Check that Outlook is on a fixed build for Gmail sign‑in Some Gmail sign‑in and IMAP setup errors were fixed in newer Outlook builds. If seeing errors like “We weren’t able to set up your Google account with IMAP” or “The browser or app may not be secure,” update Outlook to a channel/build that includes the fix (for example, Current Channel Version 2404 Build 17531.10000 or later) and then re-add or re‑sign in to the Gmail account.
5. If Outlook never prompts for a password If trying to add Gmail as an IMAP account and Outlook does not ask for a password or fails to connect:
   • On the IMAP details page in Outlook account settings, make sure Require logon using Secure Password Authentication (SPA) is unchecked.
   • If it still fails, remove and re-add the Gmail account via Control Panel > Mail > Email Accounts… > New, and follow the on‑screen steps to complete setup.

If, after these steps, the Gmail folders still do not sync and the server error persists, remove the Gmail account from the Outlook profile and add it again using the corrected IMAP settings and updated Outlook build, ensuring IMAP is enabled and the Gmail permissions box is checked during sign‑in.

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References:

• Fix problems connecting your Google account to the Microsoft Cloud
• Unable to sign in or add a Gmail account to classic Outlook
• Unable to add a Gmail account to classic Outlook
• Troubleshoot Outlook email setup