The Complete Guide to Fixing the Outlook Gmail Password Loop

Stuck in an endless loop of Outlook asking for your Gmail password, even after you've removed the account? This frustrating issue often occurs after migrating to Microsoft 365. This comprehensive guide provides the complete solution, from a foundational cleanup to the single most effective fix for this problem.

Why Does This Happen? The Root Cause

This problem is typically caused by a combination of two things:

• Hidden Login Tokens: Windows stores your Google login credentials in a place outside of Outlook's control (the Credential Manager).
• The Microsoft Store App: The pre-installed "New Outlook" or Microsoft Store version aggressively uses these hidden tokens, creating the loop even after you remove the account from Outlook itself.

Part 1: The Foundational Cleanup

Start with these steps to perform a deep clean of Outlook's local data. This clears out corrupted profiles and cached files that can contribute to the problem.

Step 1: Delete All Outlook Profiles

This removes all stored account configurations, giving you a fresh start.

control mlcfg32.cpl

In the "Mail Setup" window, click Show Profiles..., select each profile, and click Remove until the list is empty.

Step 2: Delete Stored Google Credentials

This is a critical step to remove the hidden login tokens.

1. List all saved credentials with this command:

cmdkey /list

2. Look for any target that contains google, OAUTH2, or your old Gmail address.
3. Delete each one using its full target name. For example:

cmdkey /delete:MicrosoftOffice16_Data:OAUTH2:some_long_number_here
cmdkey /delete:MicrosoftAccount:[email protected]

Step 3: Clear Outlook's Local Cache

This removes old data files (.ost) that can cause conflicts.

%localappdata%\Microsoft\Outlook

Select all files and folders (Ctrl + A) and permanently delete them (Shift + Delete).

Part 2: The Most Common & Effective Fix

If the steps above didn't fix the issue, or if you want to get straight to the most likely solution, the next step is to remove the application that causes the problem in the first place.

Get-AppxPackage *outlook* | Remove-AppxPackage

Part 3: Clean Installation and Final Setup

With the system fully cleaned, the final step is to ensure you have the correct version of Outlook installed.

Step 5: Install the Full Microsoft 365 Desktop App

1. Go to portal.office.com and sign in with your Microsoft 365 account.
2. Find and click the Install apps (or "Install and more") button.
3. Select Install Microsoft 365 apps to download and run the installer.

Once finished, open the new Outlook and set up your Microsoft 365 account. The Gmail prompt will be gone for good.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: I tried the cleanup in Part 1, but the loop continued. Why?

A: Because the Microsoft Store app (which you remove in Part 2) was still on your system, actively using the hidden credentials. The full solution requires removing both the credentials *and* the app that uses them.

Q: Can I just skip to Part 2 and uninstall the app?

A: Yes, for many people, simply uninstalling the Store app is enough to fix the problem. However, we recommend the full process to guarantee all corrupted data is removed for a truly clean slate.

Q: The `Get-AppxPackage` command gave me a red error. What now?

A: A red error means the Store app wasn't installed, which is good. If the problem still persists, it indicates the issue was with the credentials or profiles, which makes Part 1 of this guide even more critical for you.

Q: Will any of this delete my emails?

A: No. This entire process only affects application settings and cached files on your computer. Your email data is safe on the server.