Forum Discussion

tariq1's avatar
tariq1
Copper Contributor
Aug 15, 2025

Unable to Activate My Aol in Outlook App

Error: "We couldn't log on to the incoming (IMAP) server... check email /password ... etc..

  • Can login with the same credentials on the web mail portal
  • Tried almost all combinations of IMAP security, port settings etc.
  • AOL referred me to Microsoft support...

Can't believe its so difficult... Yahoo, hotmail, etc is easy peasy... just AOL now...

Thanks for listening :)

4 Replies

  • Jalessa's avatar
    Jalessa
    Iron Contributor
    Aug 19, 2025

    AOL requires an App Password for Outlook (not your regular AOL password). Generate one from your AOL account security settings, then use that in Outlook with the standard IMAP settings (imap.aol.com:993 SSL, smtp.aol.com:465 SSL). That usually resolves the login issue.

  • LisaHendrickson's avatar
    LisaHendrickson
    MVP
    Aug 17, 2025

    Yahoo and AOL have the same app password, but Yahoo now uses a connector to connect online. AOL should have it but if you're not seeing it, then it's not updated yet. 

  • LisaHendrickson's avatar
    LisaHendrickson
    MVP
    Aug 17, 2025

    You need to get an app password from the AOL security area in the online login. Look around a bit and you'll find it, it's usually in the top right when you are logged in. This is what I do for my clients, then it works. Do not use their AOL password in Outlook then, that's only for phone/online. 

  • PerspeceResident's avatar
    PerspeceResident
    Brass Contributor
    Aug 16, 2025

    When adding an AOL account in Outlook, select manual configuration for IMAP/SMTP and enable SSL encryption.