Upcoming Gmail changes
Google is turning off the “allow less secure apps” option at the end of May 2022.
Users with Outlook 2016 (retail version), 2019, 2021, and 365 won't have a problem when Less Secure Apps is disabled. They can connect to Gmail accounts (using IMAP) with Allow less secure apps turned off. Gmail users with older versions of Outlook who want to continue to use Outlook will have two options: upgrade to new version of Office or enable two step verification on their account and use an app password.
At this time, adding a Gmail account to Outlook as POP will require the user to enable two-step verification and use an app password to log in. Newer versions of Outlook will need to use app passwords with POP accounts too.
To enable two-step verification and get an app password, log into your Google account and open the Security settings.
It is highly recommended that you use two step verification even if you are using a supported version of Outlook!
If you are unable to enable two-step verification and upgrading Office is not in the cards, you’ll need to use a different email client or use Gmail.com. (I recommend eM client as a good Outlook replacement.)
Error Messages
Task 'user@gmail.com - Receiving' reported error (0x800CCC92): 'Your email server rejected your login. Verify your username and password for this account in Account Settings. The server responded: -ERR [AUTH] Username and password not accepted."
If you have the account added as POP and receive this error, you need to use an app password to sign in. If you do not have two-step verification enabled, you will need to enable it to create an app password.
Two-Step Verification
Older versions of Outlook can't connect to Gmail servers unless you also enable two-factor authorization then use an app password in Outlook. (The app password is a one-time use password that can be voided if you suspect it is compromised, without affecting your “real” password.)
To check or change your settings, sign in to Gmail then open your Google account settings.
If you enable two-factor authentication, you'll create new app passwords at App passwords. Gmail allows you to revoke individual app passwords, which you can do by clicking the trash can icon to the right of the device name.
In my experience with Gmail, their implementation of two-factor authorization is not annoying at all and retains the authorization. It doesn't request re-authorization often, which makes using an app password fairly painless. If you use public hotspots, you should enable two-factor.
Add an App Password video
Please note: the email address shown in the video is used only for testing and screenshots. I will not reply to email sent to it.
While the YouTube video below was recording using Outlook from Office 365, the steps are basically the same for all versions. I have a recording made using Outlook 2007 here.
More Information
Gmail in Outlook: unable to connect to email
"Less Secure Login Warnings"
When you use IMAP, it is email-only - you need a 3rd party utility to sync calendar & contacts with a Gmail account - companionlink or gsyncit are two of the best.
Hi Diane - I have similar issues to Greg. It seems my settings have been affected by Google's May 31st changes that affect security/login. Coincidentally, my computer crashed 5/17 and it was in data recovery until 6/14. Since I have had my computer back with a newly installed OS, I have not been successful in setting up my Outlook 2019 desktop client again. I have my existing PST file with 6 gmail accounts I funnel in via POP3 (yes, I still have my reasons/preference for POP3). I know I am using the exact same settings that were in place prior to the crash on 5/17 because I keep screen prints of my account settings. So, I am convinced that Google's security change has something to do with why I cannot connect. The only difference is that I previously had my Outlook 2019 installed on Windows 10 and it is now installed on Windows 11, but I don't see how that would affect the mail clients. I get the same issues with login passwords and being unable to connect to the incoming email gmail server. Would this require the 2FA app password generation? I am desperate to get this working. I… Read more »
Are you using two step verification and an app password? That is required with POP access.
Thanks!!! you're a life saver, managed to get Gmail working again on Outlook 365 desktop client. I'm disappointed that Google did not notify Gmail account users who access their accounts via third party apps like Outlook, that they were going to impose stricter security measures which might affect their current access after 31 May. Furthermore, they should have provided possible solutions to maintain access if users are affected, i.e. similar to what you have done. FYI - I use Gmail PoP access, setup 2FA in Google, generated an app password and used it with my email address in Outlook to regain access :)
Thank you so much. So easy to get Outlook2007 working with Gmail again after viewing your earlier video. Couldn’t use the Google Authenticator app though - I guess Outlook 2007 is just too old!
Perfect solution. I have outlook 2013, after google removed the 'less secure app' options, I was unable to use gmail from outlook. This helped me to fix it.
Thanks.
Diane, I have outlook 2019, and I am getting the error message that outlook cannot connect to gmail server and the password box comes up. I have looked at my google account and the "allow less secure apps" function says it is no longer available. Not sure what to do next.
If you are using a POP account, you need to enable 2-step verification and then get an app password to use in outlook in place of your regular password.
Or remove the pop account and add it back using auto account setup - this will add it as an IMAP account and it will work without enabling 2-step.
Diane,
It is an IMAP account. I have not changed any settings at all. This all happened with the google change.
If the account is in as IMAP, it should just work. If it won't you need to enable 2-step verification.
Which version and build of Outlook are you using? See File, Office Account for the information.
It is V2205
build 16.015225.2078 64 bit
if i have to do 2 step verification, what are the steps if I already have IMAP?
If you enable 2step, you will just need to verify after you enter your password - but Outlook 2019 uses oAuth2 and does not need to use 2step for IMAP accounts (it needs it for pop). I tested it with the same build you have - IMAP does not need 2step or an app password - so something else is wrong.
You could remove the account from outlook then add it back - but if you have calendar & contacts in the gmail data file, in folders named 'this computer only' you need to export them first.
I deleted the account and have tried to reinstate it. It keeps telling me that I to check my password. I have checked that numerous times. I can't figure out what it could be.
Are you adding it as POP or IMAP?
Do you have 2-step verification enabled?
Depending on your outlook version, you will need two step enabled and will need to use an app password in outlook instead of your real password.
i am using IMAP. 2 step verification is off. should i turn it on and follow your instructions for 2 step in your video for POP account? It keeps saying wrong password, can't connect to server.
Yes, if it says wrong password, enable 2-step. It's required for Outlook 2013 and older - but updated versions of Outlook 2016 and newer should work without 2-step on.
I cannot believe it. It does work. The most amazing thing is that my Outlook is 2007 version and Diane provides a video guiding us to setup step by step for Outlook 2007. Thumb up and Thank You
Thank you very much Diane. I have been cracking my head over this issue with my Outlook 2013. Trying to delete receiving mails with MFCMAPI, checking all the setups, and trying all solutions available but none helped, until I saw your resolution. It did resolved the issue with the Two-Step Verification and creating an App Password. However, the password to input in Outlook do not permit copy & paste. No worries - have to type in manually without any SPACES.
Thanks a million Diana.
You're welcome! Ctrl+V should work when paste is not an option on the right click menu... and yes, no spaces. Those are there just to make it easier to read (thanks to the magic of CSS on web pages.)
As mentioned all is working fine with your resolution. However, I still get the error message intermittently at the bottom of outlook page "send/receive errors", but send and receive works. I just ignore the error and continue working. Mcafee antivirus has granted permission for apps access. Could you please advise what could still be causing this error message?. Thank you in anticipation of your response.
What does the send/receive program dialog say? Click on send/receive errors and look on the error tab.
Task! Synchronizing subscribed folder for xxx.gmail.com reported error (0x800CCC0E): Outlook cannot synchronise subscribed folders for xxx.gmail.com. error cannot connect to the server
What version of Outlook? Are you using an app password in outlook?
I'm using Outlook 2013 with an app password in outlook generated by Google as per your resolution instructions.
Check the Sync issues folder - its in the folder list (Ctrl+6 switches to the folder list) - errors are in red text. You can empty the folder after looking at errors from today. Outlook will create more as needed.
Thank you for your response. I manage to check the Sync issues folder. There are 2 errors are in red text i.e. 800CCC0E-0-0733. I deleted the errors and the folder is empty. Exit out of Outlook, and started again. Task bar showing Synchronizing. Sending & Receiving works. After a few mins, encountered the same error - 0x8000CCCoE. Outlook cannot synchronize subscribed folders for xxx.gmail.com. error cannot connect to the server. I'm stumped with this problem. It is greatly appreciated, if you could assist the issue further. Thank you