Outlook keeps asking for password.

Each Comcast.net email account asks for my password when checking mail. Never mind that it's been stored there since forever. Initially this only happened when I was using a VPN, or was not on Comcast internet, and I figured it was just because I was off the Xfinity network. However it started happening all the time. It happens on my Android phone using Outlook as well, and half the time there it refuses to validate the actual password. Interestingly enough, on my iPad's built-in mail app there is no issue other than it not syncing that mail has been read on the PC. Which might just be an issue with the PC sync being screwed up because of the password issues.

I've tried the usual steps of clearing credential manager. I've even completely nuked Windows and set it up from scratch. No change. Same with my Android. Got a new phone, and the issue persists on the new device. Except now I cannot even add the email accounts to my phone because it refuses to validate the password.

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MrJoeHandyman

Frequent Visitor

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18 Messages

2 days ago

I should also note that I an log into webmail just fine. It appears to be only the Outlook application that is having the issue.

user_4rsfw7

Visitor

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1 Message

Were you able to get this fixed. Having the same issue.

1 day ago

MrJoeHandyman

Frequent Visitor

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18 Messages

@user_4rsfw7 So far, nope. I either have to use the web page, which makes it super frustrating for checking multiple accounts, or sit and click the box for my password every few minutes.

20 hours ago

XfinityMelinda

Official Employee

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153 Messages

1 day ago

Greetings @MrJoeHandyman, thank you for posting on our Xfinity Community Forum! We know this can get frustrating, especially after trying multiple devices.

This usually points to an authentication issue, not a bad password. Things like VPN use, security checks, or how certain apps (like Outlook) handle our email can cause repeated prompts or failed sign-ins. The fact that your iPad works suggests the account itself is okay.

Here are some helpful steps we'd like for you to try:

- Resetting your email password (refreshes things on the backend)

- Logging into your webmail to check for any security prompts

- Re-adding the account using standard settings

Are you seeing any specific error when it rejects the password, or does it just loop back to the prompt?

Please review our helpful article that has additional information, https://www.xfinity.com/support/articles/email-errors.

Let us know, as we're here to help!

MrJoeHandyman

Frequent Visitor

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18 Messages

@XfinityMelinda I have already tried those things.

I am not seeing any specific error. It just continuously prompts for the password on the accounts almost every single time it checks for mail. Which is the worst part. About 1/10 times it does work like it should. The rest of the time it is just prompting me for a password.

My iPad is behind the same internet connections, so it would appear to be something with Outlook. What, is the part that is baffling.

And again, I can log into webmail and look at it there without an issue.

[Edited Image: "Personal Information - Email Address"]

This is how it was auto-configured. I tried changing the encryption method to "auto", and it just sits and spins for five minutes until it gives up.

And again, this only seems to happen in Outlook when I am NOT on the Xfinity network. Which is going to be all the time now since I stopped paying 3x the cost of internet from you.

Out of curiosity, I downloaded Mozilla Thunderbird to give it a try. It opens a web page for logging in, and appears to function just fine. At least, it worked so far and is currently downloading my mail.

You did mention "security checks". Can you define this more? I do use some decent ad blockers, and have set DNS up to use Cloudlflare. This did not seem to cause an issue on Xfinity network, but I suspected that the router was mostly ignoring my custom DNS settings on my devices.

(edited)

20 hours ago

XfinityPeterH

Official Employee

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2.8K Messages

MrJoeHandyman The mentioned “security checks,” my peer is referring to the behind the scenes validation steps that our email system performs when an app like Outlook tries to sign in. These checks go beyond just your username and password and can include things like:
• Verifying your location or IP address
• Checking if the connection is coming through a VPN or filtered network
• Validating that the device or app is making a secure connection in the expected way
• Confirming that authentication requests can reach required Microsoft or Comcast servers without being modified or blocked
Tools like advanced ad blockers, custom DNS (such as Cloudflare), or certain router level filtering can sometimes interfere with these checks. Even if everything appears to work, they can block or reroute parts of the authentication process that Outlook depends on.
That is why you might see Outlook repeatedly asking for your password. It is not that the password is wrong, but that something in the network path is preventing the sign in from fully completing and being “trusted.”
The fact that your iPad works is a great clue. Mobile apps often handle authentication slightly differently and can be less affected by DNS filtering or blocking, which supports the idea that this is network or configuration related rather than an account issue.

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19 hours ago

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MrJoeHandyman

Outlook keeps asking for password.

MrJoeHandyman

user_4rsfw7

MrJoeHandyman

XfinityMelinda

MrJoeHandyman

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