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Good old Outlook has proved a real boon to PC users: it is a great app to improve your email management and planning. But what if you can’t connect Gmail to Outlook? Is it time to say goodbye to your favorite client?

Well, you should in no case consider that. Gmail not working with Outlook is quite an easy problem to resolve. Fortunately, you have come to the right place, since we will show you how to fix the Outlook won’t connect to Gmail issue. Just be patient and carefully follow our instructions.

So, if Gmail keeps asking for a password in Outlook, this means you should take the following steps:

How to Add a Gmail Account to Outlook

Step one: Turn on IMAP

To begin with, let’s figure out what IMAP is and why you need it. : 

IMAP stands for Internet Messaging Access Protocol. Its main function is to enable communication between the email client and the mail server. If it is inactive, Outlook won’t connect to Gmail. 

This means now is the time to enable the thing:

  • Enter your Gmail account (click on Gmail in your browser).
  • Proceed to the top right corner.
  • Locate the gear icon and click on it to open the Settings menu.
  • Go to the Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab.
  • Proceed to the Enable IMAP option and select it.
  • Make sure that the status says, “IMAP is enabled.”
  • Save your changes.

Well done. It’s time to tweak your Gmail account security settings.

Step two: Create an app password

Now you should set up a special password – you will use it to log in to Gmail from Outlook. Here is how you can do that:

  • Once in your Google account, go to the Sign-in & security section.
  • Locate App passwords and click on it.
  • Provide your Gmail account password.
  • Choose Outlook from the drop-down menu.
  • Press on the Generate button.
  • You will see a 16-digit password. This is your password for accessing Gmail from Outlook.

Phew, the most difficult part is over!

Also read: How to Delete Your Saved Passwords: Full Guide for Desktop and Mobile

Step three: Connect Gmail to Outlook

Now, add your Outlook account to Gmail:

  • Open Outlook and go to File > Add Account.
  • Enter your Gmail address and click Connect.
  • When prompted, enter the app password created earlier (for accounts with 2FA enabled) or your Gmail password (if 2FA is not enabled).

Follow the prompts to complete the setup. Outlook will automatically configure Gmail settings.

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a security method that requires users to provide two different forms of identification before granting access to a system or account.

Typically, this involves something the user knows (like a password) and something the user possesses (like a smartphone or security token).

2FA adds an extra layer of security beyond just a password, making it more difficult for unauthorized individuals to gain access to sensitive information or accounts.

 

Also read: [FIXED] Why Is My Gmail Not Working?

Step four: Update Outlook and use automatic configuration

Ensure your Outlook application is updated to the latest version to benefit from automatic configuration features. This minimizes manual input and potential configuration errors.

  • Open Outlook and navigate to File > Office Account > Update Options > Update Now.

After updating, add your Gmail account as described, allowing Outlook to automatically handle server settings.

Further reading: Simple Guide on How to Clear Outlook Cache

Extra tip: How to add Outlook email to Gmail?

If you want to have your  Gmail account integrated into Outlook as well here are the steps to take:

  • Log into your Gmail account and click on the gear icon in the top right corner to open Settings.
  • Go to the “Accounts and Import” tab. Here, you’ll find several options to manage your email accounts.
  • Look for the “Check mail from other accounts” section and click on “Add a mail account.”
  • Enter your Outlook email address in the window that pops up and click on “Next.”
  • Choose “Import emails from my other account (POP3)” and click on “Next.”
  • Fill in the details for your Outlook account:
    • Username: Your full Outlook email address.
    • Password: The password for your Outlook account.
    • POP Server: This will typically be outlook.office365.com for newer accounts, but check Microsoft’s support site for specifics.
    • Port: Usually 995 for POP3.
  • Check the box next to “Leave a copy of retrieved messages on the server” if you want to keep your emails in Outlook as well.
  • Check the box next to “Always use a secure connection (SSL) when retrieving mail.”
  • Click on “Add Account”. Gmail will now start importing your emails from Outlook, which may take some time depending on the number of emails.

Optionally, you can also set Gmail to send emails as your Outlook account. Just follow the prompts after your emails start importing, or go back to the “Accounts and Import” tab and look for the “Send mail as” section to add your Outlook email.

Conclusion

This is it, ladies and gentlemen – your Outlook is supposed to run like clockwork now. If it is nonetheless sluggish or unstable, we recommend you to clean up your system and optimize your internet settings. By the way, Auslogics BoostSpeed can do this for you and save you a lot of time.

Also read: Tricks to Get the Most Out of Auslogics BoostSpeed Free Trial

In addition, note that a lot of users have reported the app being unresponsive, so if that is your case, make sure to check out our tips on how to fix the Outlook not responding issue.

Now you know how to fix the Outlook won’t connect to Gmail problem.

Have our instructions proved useful?

We are looking forward to your feedback!

FAQ

This issue usually occurs if IMAP is disabled in your Gmail settings or if Outlook is not configured with the correct settings. Ensure IMAP is enabled and you are using an app password if two-factor authentication is activated on your Gmail account.

An app password is a 16-digit passcode that gives less secure apps or devices permission to access your Google account. It’s required if you have two-factor authentication enabled for added security when adding your Gmail account to Outlook.
In your Google Account settings, navigate to the “Security” section, find “App passwords,” and select it. After verifying your account password, choose “Mail” and “Windows Computer,” then click “Generate.” Use the provided 16-digit password in Outlook.
This often happens if the password entered in Outlook is incorrect or outdated. Ensure you’re using the correct app password. If the issue persists, remove and re-add your Gmail account to Outlook, using the new app password.