Forum Discussion
setting up gmail in classic outlook
I have purchased a new laptop and am having trouble setting up gmail in classic outlook.
I am receiving a message "we weren't able to set up your Google account with IMAP. You may need to make changes to your Gmail settings"
any advice?
Make sure that IMAP is indeed enabled within Gmail settings. Classic Outlook supports OAuth, so it can add any Gmail account, even those protected with 2FA or passkeys. If you are using an Outlook version that does not support OAuth, you will have to configure an app password within your Google account instead and use it within Outlook. Both methods are detailed here:
5 Replies
I am having the same issue which just started Friday 03/06/2026. I had my gmail set up in Outlook Classic but it stopped downloading mail Friday. I deleted the account and am trying to add it back but keep getting error - we weren't able to set up your Google account with IMAP. You may need to make changes to your Gmail settings - as described above. My gmail is set up for imap. I have gotten an app password but Outlook never asks me for a password so I can't use it. Can anyone help?
I am getting exactly the same problem, and it also started around same date of 3/6/2026. I had a gmail account set up in Outlook classic, and it stopped syncing and receiving emails. I deleted account, tried to "add new" and get same error "unable to set up your Google account with IMAP". In Google, help screens say to look for option to "sign in with Google" when setting up in Outlook, but I do not find this anywhere.
Maybe add an App Password in Google account, to use with Outlook? Will try...
Could be a know bug.
Unable to add a Gmail account to classic Outlook
Make sure that IMAP is indeed enabled within Gmail settings. Classic Outlook supports OAuth, so it can add any Gmail account, even those protected with 2FA or passkeys. If you are using an Outlook version that does not support OAuth, you will have to configure an app password within your Google account instead and use it within Outlook. Both methods are detailed here:
Many thanks. Configured an app password and it works.
