Outlook repeatedly asking for your password is a common and disruptive problem. This credential prompt loop prevents you from sending or receiving emails. The issue is typically caused by incorrect saved credentials, a corrupted mail profile, or an outdated authentication setting.
This article explains the technical reasons behind the password loop. You will learn several methods to permanently stop the prompts and regain access to your account.
Key Takeaways: Fixing the Outlook Password Loop
- Control Panel > User Accounts > Credential Manager > Windows Credentials: Remove old or incorrect Outlook and Microsoft Office credentials stored by Windows.
- File > Account Settings > Account Settings > Repair: Use the built-in account repair tool to fix authentication issues for your email profile.
- File > Account Settings > Account Settings > Change > More Settings > Security: Disable the outdated ‘Always prompt for logon credentials’ setting for Exchange accounts.
Why Outlook Gets Stuck in a Password Loop
Outlook continuously prompts for a password because it cannot complete the authentication process with your mail server. Windows or Outlook itself is storing login information that is either wrong or has expired. When Outlook tries to use these bad credentials, the server rejects them, triggering another prompt. This creates a frustrating cycle where you enter the correct password, but the old, saved one keeps being sent.
Common Technical Causes
A primary cause is the Windows Credential Manager holding onto an old password. This system tool saves passwords for apps and websites. If the password for your Microsoft 365, Exchange, or IMAP account changes, the saved credential becomes outdated. Outlook will try the old one first, fail, and ask you for the new one, but may not save it correctly.
For corporate Exchange accounts, a specific setting can force this behavior. The ‘Always prompt for logon credentials’ option in the account settings is a legacy feature. When enabled, it instructs Outlook to never save the password, causing a prompt every time it needs to authenticate, which can be several times an hour.
A corrupted Outlook profile is another root cause. The profile file that stores your account configuration can develop errors. These errors break the normal authentication flow, making it impossible for Outlook to remember your login session, resulting in repeated prompts.
Steps to Clear Stored Credentials and Stop the Prompts
Start by clearing any incorrect passwords stored in Windows. This is often the fastest solution.
- Open Windows Credential Manager
Press the Windows key, type “Credential Manager,” and select the Control Panel result. Alternatively, open Control Panel, go to User Accounts, and then click Credential Manager. - Find and remove Outlook credentials
Click “Windows Credentials.” Look for entries with names like “MicrosoftOffice16_Data:SSPI,” “Outlook,” “Exchange,” or your email address. Expand the entry and click “Remove.” Do this for all credentials related to Office, Outlook, or your email provider. - Restart Outlook and re-enter your password
Close Credential Manager and completely exit Outlook. Reopen Outlook. When the password prompt appears, enter your current, correct password. Check the box that says “Remember my credentials” or “Save this password.” This allows Windows to save the new, correct password.
Repair Your Outlook Account Profile
If clearing credentials does not work, repair your account settings within Outlook.
- Access Account Settings
In Outlook, go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings. - Select and repair your account
In the Email tab, click to highlight your problematic email account. Then click the “Repair” button above the list. Follow the on-screen wizard, which will guide you through re-entering your password and testing the connection. - Complete the repair and restart
After the wizard finishes, close the Account Settings window. Exit and restart Outlook to see if the password prompts have stopped.
Disable the Legacy Credential Prompt Setting for Exchange
For work or school accounts using Microsoft Exchange, check a specific security setting.
- Open your account settings
Go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings. Select your Exchange account and click “Change.” - Navigate to More Settings
In the Change Account window, click “More Settings” in the lower-right corner. - Disable the prompt setting
Go to the Security tab. Uncheck the box that says “Always prompt for logon credentials.” Click OK, then click Next, and Finish. Restart Outlook for the change to take effect.
If Outlook Still Asks for a Password After the Main Fixes
Outlook Prompts for Password After Windows Update
A major Windows update can reset network and security policies. Open the Windows Start menu, type “Network Reset,” and run the tool. This resets adapters and can clear authentication caches. After the reset and a reboot, reopen Outlook and enter your password when prompted.
Password Loop Occurs Only with One Specific Account
The issue is isolated to one account’s configuration. Create a new Outlook profile from scratch. Go to Control Panel > Mail > Show Profiles > Add. Set up the problematic account in this fresh profile. This bypasses any corruption in the old profile file.
Outlook Constantly Asks for Password on a Domain-Joined PC
Corporate group policies may be enforcing strict credential handling. Contact your IT department. They may need to reissue your computer’s Kerberos ticket using the ‘klist purge’ command in an administrator Command Prompt or adjust your account’s Active Directory permissions.
Manual Profile Fix vs. Automated Repair: Key Differences
| Item | Manual Credential & Profile Fix | Outlook Account Repair Tool |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Use Case | Fixing outdated Windows passwords or a corrupted local profile | Correcting incorrect server settings and re-establishing connection |
| User Control | High – you choose which credentials to delete | Guided – the wizard controls the process |
| Speed | Very fast if the cause is a single bad credential | Slower, as it tests server connectivity |
| Best For | Password changed recently or after multi-factor authentication setup | When server address or mailbox name is misconfigured |
| Risk Level | Low – only stored passwords are removed | Low – settings are verified, not deleted |
You can now stop Outlook from repeatedly asking for your password. Start by clearing old credentials in Windows Credential Manager, as this resolves most cases. If the problem continues, use the built-in account repair tool in Outlook. For advanced control, press Win + R, type ‘outlook /safe’, and press Enter to start Outlook in Safe Mode. This disables add-ins; if the password prompts stop in Safe Mode, an add-in is causing the conflict and should be disabled.