outlook cannot access gmail

Question

My gmail account no longer can connect in Outlook, need help connecting

Answer 1

Hi, I'm John!

Are you using Outlook Classic (desktop app)?

If so, you can try the "Manual Workaround" provided in this Microsoft article:

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

Please follow the steps under "Manual Workaround" and then restart Outlook after completing them.

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Let me know if you have any further questions or concerns.

Click "Add comment" to let me know.

Regards,

John J.D.

Answer 2

Follow these steps to get the Gmail account working again in classic Outlook:

1. Update Outlook to a fixed build
   • In Outlook, go to File > Office Account > Update Options > Update Now.
   • The Gmail sign‑in issue is fixed in newer builds (for example, Version 2404 Build 17531.10000 for Outlook for Microsoft 365). Make sure Outlook is fully updated so it uses the new browser‑based Google sign‑in.
2. Enable optional connected experiences (if using an older build)
   • Open Outlook (or any Office app).
   • Go to File > Office Account.
   • Under Account Privacy, select Manage Settings.
   • Check Enable optional connected experiences.
   • Restart Outlook and try adding/signing in to the Gmail account again.
3. Verify IMAP is enabled in Gmail
   • In a browser, sign in at Gmail.com.
   • Select Settings (gear icon) > See all settings.
   • Open the Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab.
   • Under IMAP access, select Enable IMAP.
   • Select Save Changes.
4. Confirm server settings if adding the account manually
   • Incoming (IMAP): imap.gmail.com, SSL required, Port 993.
   • Outgoing (SMTP): smtp.gmail.com, SSL or TLS required, authentication required, Port 465 (SSL) or 587 (TLS/STARTTLS).
   • Username: full Gmail address.
   • Password: Gmail password (or app password if using that in Google).
5. Make sure folders are visible over IMAP (if mail/folders are missing)
   • In Gmail settings, open the Labels tab.
   • Ensure Show in IMAP is selected for Inbox, Sent Mail, Trash, and All Mail (and any other labels that should appear in Outlook).
   • Back in Outlook, refresh/sync and allow up to 15 minutes for changes to take effect.

If the account still will not connect after these steps, confirm Outlook is on one of the fixed channels/builds listed in the classic Outlook Gmail sign‑in article, then retry the Google sign‑in flow.

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References:

• 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"
• Fix problems connecting your Google account to the Microsoft Cloud