Can't sync with GMAIL

Question

I can't get Outlook to synch with my gmail account. I get a continuous loop to sign in to google. When I try to adjust the IMAP settings forwarding POP/IMAP settings, there is no option to enable Outlook. I realize this may be a Google/Gmail issue but hoping you can help.

Thanks

[PII: Removed]

Answer 1

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Hi

I understand that you are having a problem syncing your Gmail account in Classic Outlook for Windows because it keeps looping back to the Google sign-in page. I’m happy to help. Please reply with the following: 

• Your Classic Outlook version/build from File > Office Account > About Outlook. 
• Whether this is a personal Gmail account or a Google Workspace account. 
• Whether the Google sign-in page opens in the browser or only inside Outlook. 
• The exact error message after the sign-in loop, if any. 

I would love to hear from you soon. Have a nice day !

Answer 2

Follow these steps in order, focusing on classic Outlook with a Gmail account and the Google sign-in loop.

1. Verify Outlook build and fixes

• Classic Outlook has known issues adding/syncing Gmail via IMAP that cause sign-in loops or errors like “We weren’t able to set up your Google account with IMAP.”
• Make sure Outlook is updated to a build that includes the Gmail sign-in fixes (for Outlook for Microsoft 365, see the builds listed in the “Unable to sign in or add a Gmail account to classic Outlook” article). If needed, update via File > Office Account > Update Options > Update Now.

2. Prepare Gmail: enable IMAP and folders In a browser:

1. Go to Gmail.com and sign in.
2. Select the gear icon > Settings.
3. Go to the Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab.
4. Under IMAP access, select Enable IMAP, then Save Changes.
5. Go to the Labels tab.
6. Ensure “Show in IMAP” is selected for Inbox, Sent Mail, Trash, and All Mail (and any other labels that should appear in Outlook).

If IMAP is not enabled or folders are not set to “Show in IMAP,” Outlook cannot sync and may appear stuck.

3. Re-run the Google consent with full access Classic Outlook can fail to connect if the Google consent box for Microsoft apps & services is not fully granted.

• When the Google sign-in page appears during account setup, ensure the permission “Read, compose, send, and permanently delete all your email from Gmail.” is checked.
• If this was missed previously, newer Outlook builds provide a Retry link on the error window. Use Retry to reopen the browser sign-in and re-accept with that box checked.

If the Retry option is not available or does not work, remove the Gmail account from Outlook and add it again so the Google consent flow runs from scratch.

4. Clear old OAuth credentials (if the loop persists) If Outlook keeps looping to Google sign-in, stale OAuth entries can block the new consent:

• Open Windows Control Panel > Credential Manager.
• Under Windows Credentials, locate any OAuth2 entries related to Gmail/Outlook.
• Remove those Gmail/Outlook OAuth2 entries.
• Re-open Outlook and add the Gmail account again so Outlook forces a fresh Google sign-in and consent.

5. Confirm IMAP account type and SPA setting If Outlook never prompts for a password or fails silently when adding IMAP:

• When adding the account manually, ensure “Require logon using Secure Password Authentication (SPA)” is unchecked for the IMAP account.
• If needed, use Control Panel > Mail > Email Accounts > New to add the Gmail account again and follow the wizard, entering the Gmail password when prompted.

6. Refresh Outlook after Gmail changes After enabling IMAP and “Show in IMAP” for folders in Gmail:

• Close and reopen Outlook.
• Allow up to ~15 minutes for the first full sync, especially for large mailboxes.

If, after these steps, Outlook still loops on Google sign-in, confirm that IMAP is enabled in Gmail (some accounts still expose a toggle) and that the Outlook build matches one of the fixed builds listed in the classic Outlook Gmail sign-in article.

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References:

• Unable to sign in or add a Gmail account to classic Outlook
• Unable to add a Gmail account to classic Outlook
• Fix problems connecting your Google account to the Microsoft Cloud
• Prepare your Gmail or Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) account for connecting to Outlook and Microsoft 365 or Office 365
• Troubleshoot Outlook email setup
• Gmail IMAP won't connect to Classic Outlook - Microsoft Q&A