How to Fix Outlook Keeps Prompting for Password – Reasons & Solutions
Does Outlook keeps prompting for passwords? Possibly, your Outlook may be caught in a loop of password prompts, rather than checking for new emails. Struggling with Outlook errors can be extremely frustrating. But with the right procedure, you can fix the ‘MS Outlook keeps asking for password’ issue. Discussed further are various ways to resolve this issue. So, find out the cause of the error and follow the procedure accordingly (one at a time).
User Query- “Recently, my MS Outlook has been asking for a Password again and again. Despite entering the correct password, the prompt continues to appear. Firstly, I thought the problem was with the password, so I changed the password. But it didn’t help. This is hindering my Outlook performance and I am not able to perform any Outlook function. Can you please help me figure out why is this issue caused and how to solve it?”
If you are also facing such an Outlook error, changing the password won’t fix it. Many other reasons cause such errors in Outlook. Let’s have a glance at why is Outlook constantly asking for passwords.
Outlook Keeps Prompting for Password – Why?
First and foremost, sometimes due to abrupt shutdown or bad network connection, such error occurs. However, there are several other potential reasons for this issue:
- Outlook is not configured to remember passwords.
- Your account password and the one stored in Outlook differ.
- The saved Outlook password is corrupt.
- Additionally, a corrupt Outlook Profile can also be a reason.
- Interference of security applications with Outlook functioning.
- The software is outdated and may contain bugs.
So, these could be the possible reasons causing the Microsoft Outlook password popup problem. To get the right solution, it is important to figure out the real cause of the error. Therefore, we will try to resolve the issue with the measures mentioned below.
Methods to Fix- Outlook Keeps Asking for Password
Before you begin with any procedure, make sure you try below mentioned, to fix the error:
- Try restarting the system and then, login into Outlook.
- Check if you are entering the correct credentials.
- You must update your Outlook to the latest version.
- Check the current status of your email provider’s servers.
- Activate the Remember Password feature: Open Outlook > File > Account Setting > Email > Remember Password.
A lot of times, trying these methods simply fixes the error- My Microsoft Outlook keeps asking for Password. However, if the password prompt persists, do as directed further.
Turn Off Credentials Prompt Settings in Outlook
In Outlook (Configured with an MS Exchange account), check if the User identification setting is enabled. Due to this setting, Outlook continuously prompts for credentials. Follow the steps as directed below to resolve ‘Outlook constantly asking for password’:
- Launch Outlook and navigate to File.
- Go to Account Settings >> Account Settings.
- Account Settings window opens. Select the Exchange account and click on Change.
- A new dialogue box will appear. Click on More Settings.
- In the Microsoft Exchange dialogue box, open the Security tab.
- Uncheck the option that says ‘Always prompt for logon credentials.’
- Click OK to save the changes.
Hopefully, this will troubleshoot the issue. If still Outlook keeps prompting for Password, try another solution.
Delete Saved Credentials from Outlook Credential Manager
Sometimes, Cached credentials can get corrupt. So, clearing these cached credentials can resolve the issue. Therefore, another troubleshooting for ‘Outlook is asking for password again and again’, is to clear the stored credentials in Credential Manager. Go as per the steps below:
- First, Open the Control Panel. Now, click on Credential Manager.
- Switch to Windows Credentials and locate the Generic Credentials section.
- Next, search and identify the sets with Outlook in their names.
- Expand the set and choose the option to Remove from Vault.
- Confirm the deletion by clicking on OK.
Further, repeat this process for all credential sets with Outlook in their names.
Disable Conflicting Antivirus Programs
Occasionally, the presence of an installed antivirus program can disrupt the normal functioning of Outlook. Consequently, resulting in a Microsoft Outlook password popup problem occurrence. Therefore, a potential solution to this Outlook login prompt is to temporarily disable the antivirus program on your system. After that, open Outlook and verify if Outlook is running properly.
However, if antivirus is not an issue, a corrupt Outlook profile might be. Therefore, in the following section let us discuss how to fix any corruption in the current Outlook profile.
Create a New Outlook Profile to Fix Outlook Keeps Prompting for Password
Corruption within the Outlook Profile can be a reason why My Microsoft Outlook keeps asking for passwords. Run Outlook in Safe Mode to check if the issue is with your Outlook profile. How to run Outlook in Safe Mode? Here is how:
- Ensure Outlook is closed properly.
- Press Win+R to open the Run window.
- Enter outlook.exe /safe and click OK.
- Choose Profile window opens. Opt for the default Outlook and click on OK.
If Outlook runs fine in Safe Mode, it disables all faulty add-ins. Now, to address this error, users must create a new profile. Follow the step-by-step procedure below:
- Open Outlook > File > Account Settings > Manage Profiles. (Note: Alternatively, you can also open the Control Panel and click on Mail.)
- In the Mail Setup window, click on Show Profiles.
- Next, choose Outlook from the profile list. Then, click on Add > OK.
- Select a profile name for New Profile and click OK.
- Further, proceed with prompts to complete the necessary account details.
- Congratulations! A New Outlook Profile has been created. Click Finish.
- Click on ‘Always Use this Profile’ and select the new profile from the drop-down list.
So, you have successfully created a new Outlook Profile. Reopen Outlook and verify if the MS Outlook keeps asking for password problem is solved.
From the aforementioned methods, you can effectively resolve the error- Outlook keeps prompting for password. However, if the problem persists or if you have forgotten the password, better you try removing the password. We recommend using a proficient automated tool as the easiest solution to Remove Password from PST File.
How to Remove Password from Outlook PST?
Forgetting passwords is a common human behavior. As a result, users keep entering the wrong password and trying to access Outlook. However, there is a simple and effective solution to remove your Outlook PST password. Download the most effective tool which is DRS PST Password Remover Tool. It is the most secure and easy-to-use tool for removing encryption from a protected PST file. Moreover, it does not alter file integrity while removing passwords from PST. Furthermore, it is widely compatible to work on all versions of Windows OS.
Recover Corrupt PST Files
Additionally, if the error Outlook keeps prompting for password, causing the PST file to corrupt, switch to a professional tool. Download the DRS PST Recovery Tool. It is excellent software with multiple recovery modes to repair any level of PST File corruption. You can recover and restore its data efficiently. Also, once the recovery is done it allows users to preview recovered data. Further, you can restore data in multiple file formats like EML, MSG, DBX, PST, MBOX, and Archive.
Again, it supports all Windows OS and repairs PST files created by any version of Outlook. To keep your data safe, use this effective and easy-to-operate tool.
Also Read: Fix Outlook Working Offline In Outlook
Conclusion
Hence, we have discussed various possible reasons and methods to resolve the Outlook keeps prompting for password errors. To fix this error, it is important to figure out what is the main cause so that you can easily choose the right method. Furthermore, you can use the two recommended professional solutions if needed.
About The Author:
Andrew Tie is a vastly experienced tech journalist who enjoys taking apart complex technology for a broad audience. Over more than a decade in the technology sector, Tie is good at making complicated technical concepts lucidly clear; enabling readers through engaging content. During his writing career so far, Andrew has written for several tech publications, right from industry-leading journals to popular tech blogs. Clarity, precision, and the ability to bridge technical vocabularies with everyday understanding mark his work.