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Unable to Add G Suite Account in Outlook – IMAP Error

Roshan Singh Rawat 0 Reputation points
2026-03-12T10:38:57.64+00:00

Hi,

We are using G Suite email accounts and accessing them through the Outlook client to manage 2 accounts in a single application. This setup had been working fine previously and there were no recent changes made to Outlook or Gmail configurations.

However, since yesterday we have been unable to add accounts in the Outlook client and are encountering the following error:

"We weren't able to set up your Google account with IMAP. You may need to make changes to your Gmail settings."

All Gmail settings appear to be correct, and we have already performed troubleshooting on both the Gmail account and the Outlook client. Additionally, after deleting the Gmail account and attempting to add it again, the same error message appears.

Could you please check this issue and assist us in resolving it.

Thanks!

Outlook | Windows | Classic Outlook for Windows | For business
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  1. Jayden-P 17,110 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-03-12T11:13:14.3533333+00:00

    Hi @Roshan Singh Rawat

    I apologize for this inconvenience, I know this must be affecting your workflow a lot.

    Recently, there is an issue where the synchronization of Gmail and accounts in classic Outlook. The Outlook team is already looking into this issue. Meanwhile waiting, please try the workaround below.

    Read here for more information: Users get errors 0x800CCC0E & 0x800CCC0F synchronizing Gmail and Yahoo accounts in classic Outlook …

    You can try the solution in the article above by removing the registry key.

    User's image

    If the issue persists, you will need to remove all of previous access and start from scratch.

    For step-by-step instructions: Unable to add a Gmail account to classic Outlook - Microsoft Support

    First, you will remove the access of Microsoft apps in your Google account. Then, remove both registry key credential in Credential Manager. Finally, add your Gmail account again.

    Please try and let me know how it goes.

    If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment". 

    Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
  2. Q&A Assist
    2026-03-12T10:39:19.22+00:00
    AI generated content. This question contains an answer created with AI from Q&A Assist. Learn more

    The error message and scenario match a known Outlook–Gmail issue that has been fixed in recent Outlook builds and can also be caused by Gmail/IMAP configuration.

    Use the following steps:

    1. Verify Outlook build and apply the fix
      • The issue “We weren’t able to set up your Google account with IMAP. You may need to make changes to your Gmail settings.” is addressed in classic Outlook starting with:
        • Current Channel: Version 2404 (Build 17531.10000) and later.
      • In Outlook, go to File > Office Account and check the version/build.
      • If the build is older than the fixed versions listed above, update Office:
        • File > Office Account > Update Options > Update Now.
      • After updating, try adding the G Suite (Gmail) account again.
    2. Ensure IMAP is enabled in Gmail
      • This error can also occur if IMAP is not enabled for the Gmail/G Suite account.
      • In a browser, sign in to the affected Gmail account.
      • Select the gear icon > Settings.
      • Go to Forwarding and POP/IMAP.
      • Under IMAP access, make sure Enable IMAP is selected.
      • Select Save Changes.
      • Then retry adding the account in Outlook.
    3. Confirm correct Google app access consent
      • When Outlook opens the Google sign-in/consent page, ensure the permission for Microsoft apps & services is fully granted:
        • Select the option that allows Microsoft apps & services to “Read, compose, send, and permanently delete all your email from Gmail.”
      • If this was previously missed and Outlook is on Current Channel Version 2412 Build 18324.20168 or later, use the Retry link on the Outlook error dialog to repeat the browser sign-in and grant the permission.
    4. If still failing and on older builds – enable optional connected experiences
      • For environments still on older Outlook builds where the “Could not sign you in to Google – IMAP” behavior appears, enable optional connected experiences:
        • Open Outlook (or any Office app).
        • Go to File > Office Account > Account Privacy > Manage Settings.
        • Check Enable optional connected experiences.
        • Restart Outlook and re-add the Gmail/G Suite account.
    5. If the issue started recently with no config changes
      • Confirm that Outlook is on one of the fixed builds listed above (especially Version 2404+ for classic Outlook sign-in changes).
      • If an Insider Channel was previously used as a workaround, switch back to Current Channel using the documented registry-based channel switch, then update and test again.

    If all steps above are completed (Outlook on a fixed build, IMAP enabled in Gmail, full consent granted, optional connected experiences enabled where applicable), adding the G Suite account via IMAP in classic Outlook should succeed.

    References:

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