IMAP password

Question

Why do I keep getting a request for my hotmail IMAP password every time I sign into Gmail?

Answer 1

Each time Gmail connects to a non‑Google account (like Hotmail/Outlook.com) via IMAP, it must authenticate with that account’s current password or app password. Repeated prompts for the Hotmail IMAP password usually mean one of the following:

1. The Hotmail/Outlook.com password was changed and not updated in Gmail’s account settings.
2. The account requires an app password (for example, if two‑step verification or modern security policies are enabled) and Gmail is still using the old/normal password.
3. The password stored in Gmail is wrong or has expired, so every connection attempt fails and triggers a new prompt.

To stop the prompts:

1. First, confirm the current password works by signing in directly at Outlook.com.
2. If the password was changed, update it in Gmail where the Hotmail/Outlook.com IMAP account is configured.
3. If the account requires an app password, generate the app password on the Microsoft side, then use that value in Gmail instead of the normal password. App passwords are one‑time generated passwords specifically for apps and clients and are required by some providers for IMAP connections.
4. If issues persist, remove the Hotmail/Outlook.com IMAP account from Gmail and re‑add it using the correct password or app password.

If the Hotmail account is also a Microsoft account used elsewhere (for example, in Outlook apps), changing its password may require signing in again on those apps as well.

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References:

• Updating your email account password.
• Set up email in the Outlook for Android app
• Add an email account to Outlook for Windows
• Troubleshoot Outlook email setup