How to connect to gmail

Hello Steve Glovier, 

Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Q&A forum. I’m sorry to hear that your Gmail connection stopped working suddenly today; I understand how disruptive it is when your workflow is interrupted. 

Based on your description and the date (March 3, 2026), it appears you have encountered a known sync issue related to the latest Gmail authentication requirements. This typically happens when the "handshake" between Google and Outlook lacks the specific permissions required for IMAP access. 

To restore your connection, please follow these steps to reset your credentials and re-authenticate your account. 

Step 1: Revoke Microsoft's Access in Google 

1. Close Outlook completely. 
2. Open your web browser and sign in to your Google Account. Note: I am providing this information as a convenience to you. These sites are not controlled by Microsoft, and Microsoft cannot make any representations regarding the quality, safety, or suitability of any software or information found there. Please ensure that you fully understand the risks before using any suggestions from the above link.
3. Navigate to Security > Your connections to third-party apps & services. 
4. Select Microsoft apps & services, click See Details, and then choose Remove all access. 

Step 2: Clear Stale Credentials in Windows 

1. Open the Start Menu, type Credential Manager, and open it. 
2. Select Windows Credentials. 
3. Scroll down to Generic Credentials and look for entries starting with MicrosoftOffice16_Data:OAUTH2. 
4. Locate the entries containing tp_google_imap_Oauth2 that match your Gmail address and click Remove (there are usually two per account). 

Step 3: Re-authenticate with Full Permissions 

1. Launch Outlook and go to File > Add Account. 
2. Enter your Gmail address and follow the prompts to sign in via the browser window. 
3. Important: When the Google authorization window appears, you must manually check the box that says: 

"Read, compose, send, and permanently delete all your email from Gmail." 

1. If this box is left unchecked, Google will block Outlook from syncing your folders. Click Allow to finish the setup. 

For more technical details, you can also refer to the official support article: Unable to add a Gmail account to classic Outlook. 

Please let me know if this resolves the issue for you! Should you continue to experience difficulties after completing these steps, please do not hesitate to reply to this thread. I am more than happy to provide further assistance. 

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Follow these steps in classic Outlook for Windows to restore the Gmail connection.

1. Verify Gmail is set up correctly
   1. In a browser, sign in to Gmail.
   2. Select Settings (gear) > See all settings.
   3. Go to Forwarding and POP/IMAP.
   4. Under IMAP access, select Enable IMAP.
   5. Select Save Changes.
2. Ensure folders are exposed to Outlook
   1. Still in Gmail settings, select the Labels tab.
   2. For Inbox, Sent Mail, Trash, and All Mail, make sure Show in IMAP is selected.
   3. Optionally select Show in IMAP for any other labels that should appear in Outlook.
3. If Outlook stopped authenticating to Gmail If Outlook suddenly stopped working with Gmail, it is often due to an authentication or app-password issue.
   1. In Gmail/Google Account security settings, create an app password (if using 2‑step verification):
      • Generate an app password for Outlook as described in the Gmail/Google Account “App passwords” page.
      • Note the 16‑character app password.
   2. In Outlook, remove and re-add the Gmail account using this app password:
      • In Outlook, select File > Add Account.
      • Enter the Gmail address and select Connect.
      • When prompted for a password, enter the 16‑character app password (no spaces), not the normal Gmail password.
4. Re-add or repair the Gmail account in Outlook
   1. In Outlook, select File > Account Settings > Account Settings.
   2. Select the Gmail account:
      • Choose Repair and follow the prompts, or
      • Remove the account, then select File > Add Account and add it again:
        • Enter the Gmail address and select Connect.
        • When the Google sign-in window appears, confirm the address, select Next, and sign in.
        • When asked for permissions for “Microsoft Apps & Services,” select Allow.
        • Finish the wizard and select Done, then restart Outlook.
5. If sign-in fails with a Google/IMAP error
   1. Make sure Office is updated to a build that includes the Gmail sign-in fixes.
   2. If still seeing sign-in issues, enable optional connected experiences:
      • Open Outlook.
      • Select File > Office Account.
      • Under Account Privacy, choose Manage Settings.
      • Check Enable optional connected experiences.
      • Restart Outlook and try adding/repairing the Gmail account again.
6. If the Allow button is greyed out on the Google consent screen
   1. Update Office to the latest build.
   2. If the issue persists until updated:
      • Reboot the computer and try adding the Gmail account again.
      • If still blocked, temporarily change the default browser (for example, switch between Edge/Chrome/Internet Explorer), then try adding the Gmail account again. Afterward, switch the default browser back.
7. Refresh Outlook after fixing Gmail settings After enabling IMAP and labels in Gmail and fixing authentication, restart Outlook. It can take several minutes for mail to resync.

References:

• Fix problems connecting your Google account to the Microsoft Cloud
• Prepare your Gmail or Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) account for connecting to Outlook and Microsoft 365 or Office 365
• Add a Gmail account to Outlook for Windows
• Unable to add a Gmail account to Outlook "Could not sign you in to Google"
• Unable to add a Gmail account to Outlook - Allow button grayed out
• Set up Gmail accounts