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Guide to Troubleshoot Outlook Keeps Asking for Password in Windows/Mac

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Written By Kumar Raj
Anuraag Singh
Approved By Anuraag Singh
Published On September 17th, 2024
Reading Time 7 Minutes Reading

Are you looking for a solution to fix Mac and Windows Outlook keeps asking for password errors? Then no look further! This article will explain a very effective method to resolve this issue. Keep reading this post till the end.

Most of the time, when Outlook users enter the credentials while making a connection with Outlook. It will stop the authentication process and keep asking for the password again and again. This problem occurs in Mac Outlook because of corruption in the Keychain Access program. It is a default application in Mac and is used to save the information of email account login. So, whenever the problem arises in Keychain Access, Outlook Keeps asking for the password. Therefore, in this write-up, we are going to provide a relevant solution that will repair this issue easily.

Outlook Keeps Asking for Password in Mac – Real User Scenario

“Help! I am working in a reputed firm where we are using a Mac system. Recently, some of our organization systems were attacked by the virus. The issue was easily resolved by formatting the Mac system. But, after the fix, when the employees connect to Exchange using Outlook 2016 Mac, it will repeatedly ask for the password. Also, I checked the profile configuration, they are all fine. Thus, I really do not understand, if this problem occurs due to a bug. If any of my technical friends know the exact reason and solution for this error, then please tell me. Any help would be appreciated!”

outlook 2016 for mac keeps asking for password

Now, let us know about the correct reason behind this glitch.

Why Does Mac Outlook Keep Asking For Password: Know the Reason

As all, we know the Mac operating system is the best machine in terms of security and reliability around the globe. Adding to it, it provides an inbuilt password management program known as Keychain Access. Its function is to save all the passwords of Mac-based programs like Mac Outlook passwords on the machine. Due to unexpected reasons, Keychain Access can be easily damaged or corrupted and it will disturb the entire normal workflow. Similarly, in Mac Outlook, lots of duplicate tokens will appear in Keychain due to corruption. Unfortunately, it will lead to a complex situation, and confusion with the authentic credentials. As a result, Keychain Access forgets the password for the multiple accounts and keeps asking for it. That is why Outlook 2016 / 2011 for Mac prompts for authentication while connecting with an Outlook profile.

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Steps to Fix Outlook Keeps Asking for Password in Mac 

If the Keychain Access program is corrupted, then whenever the Outlook user is trying to connect with O365 on the Mac platform, the password problem arises. As a result, Outlook 2016 for Mac keeps asking for the password of the Outlook account. To troubleshoot this problem, users can follow the below instructions:

  1. First of all, if Outlook is open then close it.
  2. To initiate the process, start the Keychain Access with the help of following steps:
    • Go to Finder application in macOS. Now, Using the Go menu, choose the Utility option.
    • Then, double-click on Keychain Access. You have to write the ‘Keychain Access’ in the Spotlight Search bar.
    • After that, to open the Keychain Access, double-click on it.
  3. In Keychain Access, the next step is to type Exchange and enter in the search field.
  4. Under the search results, select the data items to preview Account and then click on Delete. You have to repeat this step until all the old items related to Exchange deleted.
  5. After that, you have to type adal in the search bar.
  6. Now, choose all items that come under the type of MicrosoftOffice15_2_Data: ADAL:. Then, press the Delete button.
  7. Once the above-steps executed successfully, then type office in the search field.
  8. Choose the items that are named as Microsoft Office Identities Cache 2 & Microsoft Office Identities Settings 2. Afterward, hit the Delete button.
  9. Once all the above-steps performed accurately, then exit from Keychain Access.

 

Manual approaches to Fix Outlook Keeps Asking for Password in Windows

Approach 1. Clear the Cached Passwords in Outlook

If the credentials that are cached are not correct, the user will repeatedly receive a password-prompted error. In order to fix this issue, passwords must be cleared using the Windows Credential Manager. Perform each step individually.

  1. Firstly, Open both MS Outlook and Contol Panel at the same time.
  2. Using your Outlook login information, navigate to User Accounts > Credential Manager > Manage Your Credentials.
  3. Lastly, To view the credentials, click the name, then select the Remove option.

Approach 2. Turn off the Password Prompt Login Request.

Outlook persistently asks for login credentials when the User Identification Settings are activated. In order to resolve the password prompt issue, the user must disable the settings by doing the following actions.

  1. Firstly, Open Outlook and navigate to File and then Account Settings.
  2. Now, After choosing the exchange account, click on the Change button.
  3. Then select More Settings from the newly shown dialogue box.
  4. Lastly, uncheck the box requesting login credentials always.

Approach 3. Remove the Corruption to Fix Outlook Keeps Asking for Password

Outlook may fail to remember passwords due to corruption in the Outlook Profile data file. To fix the problem, the user must create a new profile and make it active. To create a new profile, follow these steps:

  1. Firstly, Open the Control Panel and select the Mail option button.
  2. Now Click on the Show Profiles. Choose Outlook from the profile, click Add, and then click OK.
  3. Choose a profile name click OK and complete the details of your account.
  4. Lastly, Click Finish and proceed and click on Always Use this profile only and choose the new profile from the drop-down menu.

Read more: to know how to Set Outlook As Your Default Email.

Approach 4. Reset or Modify Microsoft Outlook’s Login Credentials

With Windows Credentials Manager, you can modify or reset the Microsoft Outlook login settings. You can follow the instructions below.

  1. Firstly, Go to Control Panel > Credentials Manager.
  2. Now, User Accounts section > Credential Manager option.
  3. You can remove any MS Outlook email addresses in the Windows Credentials and Generic Credentials section.
  4. Now, To remove something from the vaults, click the Details button.
  5. Lastly, click the warning box that appears on your local screen with the YES.

Continue through each step until you have eliminated every ID and password connected to your email account.

Approach 5: Utilize NTLM To Sync Outlook Anywhere Feature

One feature that helps users of MS Outlook access corporate email is Microsoft Outlook Anywhere. NTLM authentication is our choice. This functionality will assist users in syncing their Outlook accounts.

  1. Firstly, go to File tab > Account Settings > Account Settings option.
  2. Now choose the Exchange account > Change option.
  3. After that, click on the More Settings button > Connection tab.
  4. Now, Select Proxy authentication settings by clicking on the Exchange Proxy settings button.
  5. Lastly, choose NTLM Authentication.

In Summation

It is evident from the above that Keychain Access is an important part of the Mac operating system. It keeps all the passwords in macOS. However, due to the creation of multiple tokens of the same kind in Keychain, Microsoft Outlook keeps asking for password Therefore, in this post, we have provided a method that fixes this glitch without any hassle. One only needs to follow the entire above-mentioned method sequentially.

  author

By Kumar Raj

A versatile writer with the vast knowledge of technology helps to reduce the gap between a user and technology. Provides easy and reliable ways to resolve multiple technical issues, which users encounter in their day-to-day life.