“You need to sign in”

Question

I get this message every time I open outlook. It will not accept my password (even though I can directly login to my email provider). It says “Adding account” before coming back with the error message “Sign in failed.” It gives me the options of trying again or choosing another account. I am able to get into outlook by selecting a different email, but cannot access my default account.

Answer 1

Do you restart the computer after removing the credentials?

Did you mention that you are asked for an alternative email address when logging in with your Outlook account on another computer?

Answer 2

Thanks! Can you run the test on another computer? Try connecting your email account to Outlook on a different machine.

Check the Credential Manager to see if there are any saved credentials for your account.

1. Press Windows + R > Type control keymgr.dll > Press Enter.
2. In Credential Manager, look for credentials containing your email address under both Web Credentials and Windows Credentials (e.g., MicrosoftAccount=******@email.com) > Select and delete the credential > Restart your computer > Try logging in again.

Answer 3

Hi!

Are the different email accounts you can access from the same provider, or are they Microsoft accounts (such as @outlook.com or @hotmail.com)?

Since this happens with only one specific email account, an account token might be corrupted. Have you tried signing out and signing back in?

Answer 4

For New Outlook for Windows, this usually points to a cached sign-in problem or an account setup issue for that specific mailbox.

Try these steps in order:

1. Confirm which password Outlook expects
   • If the default account is Outlook.com, Hotmail, Live, or MSN, use the Microsoft account password for that address.
   • If it is iCloud, Gmail, Yahoo, or another provider, use that provider’s password.
   • If the provider uses two-step verification, an app password may be required instead of the normal password.
2. Test the affected account in a browser
   • Since sign-in works directly with the email provider, the mailbox credentials are likely valid.
   • That points more to an Outlook sign-in or cached account issue.
3. Remove and add the affected account again in New Outlook
   • Open New Outlook.
   • Go to Settings > Accounts > Your accounts.
   • Select Manage next to the affected account.
   • Remove the account, then add it again.
4. Repair New Outlook if the sign-in keeps looping
   • Go to Windows Settings > Apps > Installed apps > Outlook (new) > Advanced options.
   • Select Repair first.
   • If Repair does not help, use Reset and then add the account again.
   • Warning: Reset can remove local app state, so the account will need to be added again.
5. If the affected account is iCloud
   • Classic Outlook requires an app-specific password for many iCloud accounts that use two-factor authentication.
   • Generate the app password from the Apple Account site under Sign-In and Security > App-Specific Passwords > Generate an app-specific password.
   • Then add the account again and paste that app password exactly.
6. If Outlook never gives a password prompt during setup
   • In classic Outlook, one documented workaround is to add the account from Control Panel > Mail > Email Accounts > New and enter the password there.
   • Also make sure Require logon using Secure Password Authentication (SPA) is unchecked on the IMAP details page.
7. If the account is Outlook.com and the error says personal accounts are not allowed
   • That specific issue was fixed in Version 2303 Build 16227.20202 and higher.
   • Update Outlook if that message appears.

If the mailbox is a Microsoft account and sign-in still fails, use the Sign-in Helper.

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