Outlook Keeps Asking for Password: Repair Tips & Tricks

Outlook Keeps Asking for Password: Repair Tips & Tricks

/ Sed Galope

We’ve all been there – the dreaded moment when you’re in a hurry to check your emails, and Outlook decides to persistently ask for your password. It’s frustrating, it’s annoying, and most importantly, it’s a problem that needs fixing. Welcome to our comprehensive repair guide for when Outlook just won’t stop asking for your password!

In this blog post, we’ll explore the possible causes of this annoying issue and provide you with the best tips and tricks to resolve it. Our step-by-step guide will walk you through various troubleshooting methods, ranging from quick fixes to more in-depth solutions. Whether you’re a seasoned Outlook user or a complete novice, you’ll be able to navigate your way through these password predicaments with ease.

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So, say goodbye to the constant password prompts, and let’s dive into our Outlook repair guide that’s designed to save your time and sanity!

Enable Remember Password Option in Account settings

Suppose you’re using Microsoft Outlook and experiencing an issue where you are prompted to re-enter your password every time you launch the application. In that case, enabling the “Remember Password” feature can help to fix the outlook issue.

This feature is available in Outlook 2016 and Outlook 2019 and will help ensure that you are not asked to re-enter your password each time you open the application.

Step 1: Open Outlook and click the File menu.

Step 2: Go to Info > Account settings option > Account settings

outlook info and account settings

Step 3: Click on the Email tab and ch, choose mail account, then click the Change button.

change email in outlook

Step 4: Type your password in the Change Account Settings window and check the Remember password box.

Step 5: Restart Outlook and check if the problem is resolved.

Removed Cached Passwords Using Credential Manager

If you are having trouble with Outlook asking for password prompts every time you open it, you may need to reset your credentials using the Windows Credentials Manager.

The Credentials Manager is a Windows utility that stores and manages user names and passwords for various Windows applications and services. By resetting your credentials, you can fix the issue of Outlook repeatedly asking for your password.

Step 1: Open the Start menu, type Credential manager, and press Enter.

credential manager

Step 2: Click Windows Credentials, and under the Generic Credentials, look for your Outlook Account or Microsoft account.

Step 3: Click on your Account and click the Remove button.

windows credential

Step 4: Open Outlook and sign in to your account.

Prevent Outlook from Always Prompting for Logon Credentials Option

The Outlook application is a great tool for managing your emails and calendar, but it can be incredibly frustrating when Outlook prompts for credentials. This common problem occurs when configuring Outlook to work with Office 365.

Fortunately, you can take some simple steps to fix this issue. Also, this method only applies to Exchange or Office 365 accounts. If you’re using POP3/IMAP, skip to the next method.

Step 1: Open Outlook and click on the File menu.

Step 2: Go to Info > Account settings option > Account settings

outlook info and account settings

Step 3: Click on the Email tab, choose your Email account, then click the Change button.

change email in outlook

Step 4: Click the More settings button.

Step 5: Go to the Security tab, uncheck the box for Always prompt for logon credentials, and click the Apply and OK buttons.

outlook user identification

If you have Outlook 2013, Outlook 2010, or Outlook 2007, ensure that the Logon network security setting is set to Anonymous Authentication.

If you cannot modify the selected option because it is grayed out, inquire with your network administrator if a security policy prohibits it.

By default, the Always prompt for logon credentials option is disabled in Outlook accounts.

Enabling Modern Authentication Method

Enabling modern authentication for Outlook can help solve the issue of Outlook constantly asking for a password. Modern authentication is an advanced security technology that allows users to securely access their data and applications without continuously entering passwords.

It also allows Outlook to use basic authentication and single sign-on, making it more secure and easier to access. By enabling modern authentication, Outlook users can benefit from increased security and improved user experience.

Step 1: Press Win + R, type regedit, and press enter.

regedit

Step 2: Navigate this key path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Exchange

Step 3: Right-click on the right pane and click New > DWORD (32-bit).

regedit exchange new dword value

Step 4: Name the value: AlwaysUseMSOAuthForAutoDiscover

Step 5: Double-click the new value and set the Value data to 1.

alwaysusemsoauthforautodiscover value data

If you have Outlook 2016, Outlook 2019, or Outlook for Office 365, close the registry editor and reboot your computer.

If you use Outlook 2013, you should add the keys EnableADAL and Version to the registry location HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\15.0Common\Identity, and then restart your computer.

  • HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\15.0Common\Identity\EnableADAL > Value data to 1
  • HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\15.0\Common\Identity\Version = Value data to 1

Step 6: Close the Registry Editor, open Outlook, and log in.

Repairing Microsoft Office

If you are experiencing a common issue that Outlook keeps asking for a password even after entering it correctly, repairing Microsoft Office could be a potential solution. Repairing Microsoft Office involves running diagnostics and making registry changes that could help fix Outlook-related problems.

Step 1: Press Win + R, type appwiz.cpl, and press Enter.

appwiz cpl

Step 2: Scroll down and locate the Microsoft Office program.

select change option in microsoft office

Step 3: Click the Change button.

Step 4: Choose Quick Repair and click the Repair button.

quick repair outlook

Create a New Outlook Profile

Creating a new profile can be a great way to fix Outlook keeps asking for password prompt issues. Having a new profile can help to reset any incorrect settings that were causing the issue, as well as delete any corrupted files that were causing the issue.

Suppose Outlook still keeps asking for a password after creating a new profile. In that case, it could be caused by misconfigured server settings or a malfunctioning profile, which can be fixed by ensuring all server settings are correct and checking for any profile corruption.

Step 1: Open the Control panel and select Mail (Microsoft Outlook)(32-bit).

mail outlook 32bit

Step 2: Click the Show profiles and Add buttons in the Profiles section.

show profiles

Step 3: Create a new Profile Name and click OK.

add profile name

Step 4: Fill in the Email Account section and click the Next button.

enter new email account

Step 5: Follow on-screen directions and choose the New Profile and select Always use this profile option.

Step 6: Open Outlook.

Fixing via Registry Editor

The Registry Editor is a powerful tool that allows users to modify system settings. By making a few simple changes in the registry, users can resolve Outlook’s password prompt problem.

Step 1: Press Win + R, type regedit, and press enter.

regedit

Step 2: Navigate this path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook

Step 3: Right-click on the Outlook key, click New > Key, and name it AutoDiscover.

regedit new outlook key

Step 4: In the AutoDiscover key, right-click on the right pane, click New, and select DWORD (32-bit) Value.

regedit audodiscover new dword value

Step 5: Name the new value as ExcludeExplicitO365Endpoint.

Step 6: Double-click and set the Value Data to 1.

excludeexplicit value data

Step 7: Close the Registry editor and restart your computer.

Updating Microsoft Outlook Version

Updating your Outlook version can be a great way to fix Outlook keeps asking for password issues. This is because when you update your Outlook version, it adds new features and includes various bug fixes and security patches. These patches can help address security issues leading to Outlook asking for passwords.

Additionally, updating Outlook may help with compatibility issues between Outlook and other applications or services you use. By updating Outlook to the latest version, you can ensure that your Outlook runs optimally and that all the features you need are available.

Step 1: Open Outlook and click on File > Office account.

Step 2: Click the Update Options drop-down menu and select Update Now.

update now option in outlook

Step 3: Exit Outlook and log in.

Run Outlook in Safe Mode

Safe mode creates a new Outlook profile, which can help to identify and resolve the problem. By launching Outlook in Safe mode, users can reset the authentication settings and clear out any corrupt data that could be causing the issue.

Safe mode can help users identify and eliminate potential conflicts with other applications. Launching Outlook in Safe mode ensures that the Outlook profile is running properly and that the password prompt is no longer an issue.

Step 1: Hold CTRL and double-click on the Outlook shortcut icon.

Step 2: Click the Yes button to start Outlook in safe mode.

confirm outlook in safe mode

Check your Internet connection

If you’re having trouble with Outlook repeatedly asking for your password, there’s a good chance that checking your internet connection could fix the issue. A poor internet connection can cause Outlook to become unresponsive or to keep asking for your password. By simply checking your connection, you may be able to resolve the issue quickly and easily.

check internet connection status

Disable UEFI Secure Boot

When you have issues with Outlook repeatedly asking for your password, you may consider disabling the UEFI Secure Boot. This feature of some computers is enabled to protect them from malicious software and unauthorized access.

By disabling the UEFI Secure Boot, Outlook may no longer ask for your password, as it is likely that the feature is blocking Outlook from accessing the server. Disabling the UEFI Secure Boot will not negatively affect your computer’s performance and security. As such, this is a relatively simple fix that could potentially resolve your issue with Outlook.

Step 1: Hold the SHIFT key and click the Restart button to boot into the Advanced Startup menu.

restart computer

Step 2: After rebooting, choose Troubleshoot > Advanced Options.

advanced options

Step 3: Select UEFI Firmware Settings and confirm to reboot. Then wait for the system to boot into the BIOS settings.

uefi firmware settings

Step 4: In your BIOS, locate Secure Boot and disable it.

disable secure boot

Step 5: Click save and exit to continue into your system.

Disable Anti-Virus Software

If you have recently experienced Outlook keeps asking for password issues, then temporarily disabling your anti-virus software may be a viable solution. Disabling your anti-virus software can help to resolve the Outlook keeps asking for a password issue as it can interfere with the authentication process that Outlook requires to access your email account.

disable third party antivirus

Renaming the.OST File

Step 1: Press Win + R, type %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Outlook\, and click the OK button.

localappdata outlook command

Step 2: Locate and Rename the .ost file.

Step 3: Restart your computer and open Outlook.

Using NTLM Authentication

NTLM Authentication is a secure authentication protocol used by Microsoft Outlook and Exchange Server to protect user credentials. NTLM Authentication can provide increased security, as it encrypts login credentials, thus making it much more difficult for hackers to access a user’s account. It also allows Outlook to recognize a user’s credentials without re-entering them each time.

Step 1: Open Outlook and click the File menu.

Step 2: Go to Info > Account settings option > Account settings

outlook info and account settings

Step 3: Select the Exchange account and click the Change button.

Step 4: Click the More Settings button and go to the Connection tab.

Step 5: Click the Exchange Proxy Settings button; choose NTLM Authentication under the Proxy authentication settings.

ntlm authentication in outlook
Sed Galope
Meet the author

Sedfrey is an experienced writer and editor. He's also a PC hardware and gaming enthusiast. In his spare time, he enjoys reading about the latest innovations in the PC market and finding fixes to hardware and software errors.