Problem with Comcast email in Outlook

Question

This problem just recently started. I have used Outlook Classic for years but now I cannot get it set up correctly in Outlook Classic. I keep getting message to enter password over and over. My Comcast account is set up the New Outlook but I cannot get it set up correctly in Outlook Classic. Can someone help me out? I'm using Windows 11 and I have a Microsoft 365 subscription

Answer 1

Hi, are you using two step verification on your Comcast account?

Close Outlook, open Control Panel, go to Credential Manager, then remove all saved Outlook, Office, and Comcast credentials. Open Outlook again, remove the Comcast account from Account Settings, then add it back using automatic setup. This refreshes sign in data and stops the password loop.

Answer 2

Follow these steps to get Comcast (IMAP) working in classic Outlook and stop the repeated password prompts.

1. Confirm the correct Outlook type

• Make sure classic Outlook is actually in use (toggle for “New Outlook” should be off). If the new Outlook steps do not match what is seen, switch to the Classic Outlook experience.

2. Add the Comcast account in classic Outlook manually
3. In classic Outlook, select File > Add Account.
4. Enter the Comcast email address.
5. Select Advanced options and check Let me set up my account manually.
6. Choose IMAP.
7. On the IMAP settings page, ensure:
   • Require logon using Secure Password Authentication (SPA) is unchecked.
8. Enter the Comcast account password and select Connect.
9. If setup fails, select Change Account Settings and update the server details exactly as provided by Comcast (incoming/outgoing servers, ports, encryption). Then select Connect again.
10. When Outlook reports success, select Done.
11. If Outlook never prompts for a password If the IMAP account is added but no password prompt appears and it keeps failing:
12. Go back to the IMAP account settings and verify Require logon using Secure Password Authentication (SPA) is unchecked.
13. If it still fails:
    • Close Outlook.
    • Open Control Panel in Windows.
    • Select Mail > Email Accounts….
    • On the Email tab, select New.
    • Enter name, Comcast email address, and password in both Password boxes.
    • Select Next and follow the on‑screen steps until setup completes.
    • Select Finish and reopen Outlook.
14. If automatic setup still fails If classic Outlook cannot automatically find Comcast settings, keep using manual setup (POP or IMAP) and ensure the server names and ports match Comcast’s documentation. Manual setup is supported for third‑party accounts like Comcast.
15. Use Outlook troubleshooters if needed If problems persist (for example, Outlook keeps asking for the password even with correct settings), run the classic Outlook authentication troubleshooter:
16. Open the Get Help app in Windows.
17. In the search box, type Outlook password problem.
18. Run the Classic Outlook authentication check troubleshooter and follow the guided steps.

This combination—manual IMAP setup with SPA disabled plus the authentication troubleshooter—typically resolves repeated password prompts for third‑party accounts like Comcast in classic Outlook.

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References:

• Troubleshoot Outlook email setup
• Classic Outlook troubleshooters
• Add an email account to Outlook for Windows