Outlook keeps prompting you for your Gmail password during SMTP setup

1. Enable IMAP/SMTP in Gmail Settings

• Log in to Gmail.
• Go to ⚙️ Settings > See all settings > Forwarding and POP/IMAP
• Enable IMAP and/or POP, and make sure SMTP is allowed (default behavior with IMAP).

---

2. Use App Password (if 2-Step Verification is enabled)

If you use 2-Step Verification in Gmail:

• Go to: https://myaccount.google.com/apppasswords
• Generate an App Password for Outlook.
• Use that password in Outlook instead of your normal Gmail password.

Without this, Gmail will reject access attempts even if the password is correct.

---

3. SMTP & IMAP Settings for Gmail

Make sure these settings are correct in Outlook:

• SMTP Server: smtp.gmail.com
• SMTP Port: 465 (SSL) or 587 (STARTTLS)
• Encryption: SSL/TLS or STARTTLS
• IMAP Server: imap.gmail.com
• IMAP Port: 993
• Username: your full Gmail email address
• Password: your Gmail App Password

---

4. Allow Less Secure Apps (Only if no 2FA)

If you’re not using 2FA, enable:

• https://www.google.com/settings/security/lesssecureapps

⚠️ Google is phasing this out, so using 2FA + App Password is more reliable.

---

5. Check Captcha Unlock

Sometimes Google blocks access temporarily.

• Unlock: https://accounts.google.com/DisplayUnlockCaptcha
• Sign in and confirm.

---

6. Firewall/Antivirus Interference

Check if your firewall or antivirus is:

• Blocking Outlook from accessing Gmail’s SMTP server.
• Temporarily disable them and test.