gmail imap

Question

I bought a new computer and set up outlook classic with my gmail account. I have enabled the POP/IMAP settings, but outlook will not sync. There is a msg to sign in at browser, which generates an error message

Answer 1

Hi Villette Nolon,

I understand how frustrating this must be, especially after setting up a new computer and already enabling IMAP in Gmail.

Since the failure occurs when Outlook opens the browser sign-in page, the issue may be related to the Google authentication or permission step rather than the IMAP server settings themselves. Could you please share the exact error message displayed after the browser sign-in fails? A screenshot would also be helpful, but please hide your full email address or any other personal information. Also, is this a personal Gmail account or a Google Workspace account managed by an organization?

In the meantime, please try the following:

• In classic Outlook, select File > Office Account > Update Options > Update Now, then restart Outlook.
• Select File > Add Account and enter the Gmail address again.
• Complete the Google sign-in in the browser. On the Google permissions page, make sure access for Microsoft apps and services is allowed, including permission to read and manage Gmail.
• If Outlook displays Something went wrong, select Retry and complete the browser sign-in again.

If the same error continues, close Outlook and remove only the affected Google OAuth entries from Credential Manager > Windows Credentials > Generic Credentials. Look for entries beginning with MicrosoftOffice16_Data:OAUTH2 that contain tp_google_imap_Oauth2, then restart Outlook and sign in again. This will require the Gmail account to be authenticated again.

You can also review Microsoft’s guidance here: Unable to add a Gmail account to classic Outlook.

Please let me know the exact browser error and your Outlook version under File > Office Account > About Outlook, as that information will help identify the next appropriate step. Thank you so much for your understanding. 

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Answer 2

For classic Outlook with Gmail IMAP, this browser sign-in failure is a known issue and there are two common fixes.

1. Update Outlook first.
   • In Outlook, go to File > Office Account > Update Options > Update Now.
   • The Gmail sign-in fix is available starting in Current Channel Version 2412 Build 18324.20168 for the Retry flow, and an earlier sign-in fix was released in Version 2404 Build 17531.10000 for supported channels.
2. Try the sign-in again and use Retry.
   • Add the Gmail account from File > Add Account.
   • If Outlook shows Something went wrong or a Gmail setup error, select Retry.
   • In the Google permissions window, make sure the permission for Microsoft apps and services is allowed, including: “Read, compose, send, and permanently delete all your email from Gmail.”
   • If that permission was missed, Outlook can fail with IMAP setup or sync errors.
3. Confirm Gmail IMAP is enabled.
   • In Gmail, open Settings > Forwarding and POP/IMAP.
   • Under IMAP Access, select Enable IMAP and save changes.
4. If Outlook still will not sync, remove the cached Gmail OAuth credentials so Outlook prompts for sign-in again.
   • Warning: removing credentials forces a new sign-in for the affected Gmail account.
   • Close Outlook.
   • Open Credential Manager.
   • Go to Windows Credentials > Generic credentials.
   • Find entries starting with MicrosoftOffice16_Data:OAUTH2 that correspond to tp_google_imap_Oauth2.
   • Remove those entries for the Gmail account.
   • Restart Outlook and sign in to Gmail again.
   • If sync does not start immediately, restart Outlook one more time.
5. If automatic setup still fails, add the account manually.
   • In Outlook, go to File > Add Account.
   • Enter the Gmail address.
   • Select Advanced options > Let me set up my account manually.
   • Choose POP or IMAP and continue.
   • If prompted to correct settings, use Gmail IMAP/SMTP values:
     • Incoming IMAP: imap.gmail.com, SSL, port 993
     • Outgoing SMTP: smtp.gmail.com, SSL port 465 or TLS/STARTTLS port 587
6. If Outlook rejects the password even though it is correct, use an app password.
   • Microsoft notes that older Outlook versions may require two-factor authentication and an app password for Gmail.

If the current problem is specifically that the browser sign-in opens but ends in an error, the most likely fixes are:

• update Outlook,
• run the sign-in again with Retry,
• make sure the Google permission box is accepted,
• and if needed, clear the cached MicrosoftOffice16_Data:OAUTH2 Gmail credentials.

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References:

• Unable to add a Gmail account to classic Outlook
• Unable to sign in or add a Gmail account to classic Outlook
• Add a Gmail account to Outlook for Windows
• Fix problems connecting your Google account to the Microsoft Cloud
• Troubleshoot Outlook email setup
• Users get errors 0x800CCC0E & 0x800CCC0F synchronizing Gmail and Yahoo accounts in classic Outlook