Can't get ******@aol.com mail

Question

I can't use my AOL on my computer or phone, but I can use my Google account, but I had my AOL account for over 30 years

Answer 1

Hi, I'm John! I will help you with this.

Just to clarify, are you unable to sign in to your AOL account, or are you signed in but not receiving emails?

Also, what happens when you try to access the account here https://account.microsoft.com Do you get an error message, a password prompt, or does it just keep loading?

Answer 2

AOL has recently tightened security for accounts used in other apps and services. When AOL accounts are added to Outlook or other mail apps, AOL now requires that 2‑factor (2‑step) authentication be enabled and that the account be set up using the updated security flow. Without this, mail apps on both computer and phone can stop working even though the AOL account itself is still active.

To restore access to the AOL account in mail apps:

1. Enable 2‑factor authentication in AOL
   1. Go to https://www.aol.com.
   2. Select Login / Join and sign in with the AOL address and password.
   3. After signing in, go to the AOL account/profile area as described in AOL’s own help article on 2‑step verification: 2-step verification – stronger than your password alone.
   4. Turn on 2‑step (2‑factor) verification for the AOL account and complete the setup (phone number, verification method, etc.).
2. Remove and re‑add the AOL account in the mail apps After 2‑factor is enabled, remove the AOL account from the mail app on the computer and phone, then add it back so the app can use the new, secure sign‑in flow.
   • On Outlook for Android or iOS, add the AOL account again after 2‑factor is enabled and complete the sign‑in prompts.
   • On other mail apps, choose the AOL or IMAP/POP option and follow the updated sign‑in steps.

If Outlook specifically stopped syncing AOL mail around the time AOL changed its service, and there are custom folders under Inbox, renaming or recreating those folders in AOL webmail can also help restore syncing in Outlook:

• Sign in to AOL webmail at https://www.aol.com.
• Note the folders under Inbox.
• Either rename those folders (for example, “Recipes” → “Recipes1”), or create new folders, move mail into them, then delete the old folders.
• Reopen Outlook and allow time for a full sync.

If problems continue after enabling 2‑factor and re‑adding the account, contact AOL support, as the underlying service and security policies are controlled by AOL.

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References:

• 2 factor authentication with AOL accounts
• Outlook stops syncing AOL email