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Outlook Won't Prompt for Sign-In After a Password Change? 5 Fixes

Steven
Aug 20, 2023
3 min read

Updated: Sep 27

Outlook says you're disconnected or shows "Need Password", but it never actually asks you to sign in. Emails pile up in the Outbox and nothing new comes in. This usually happens right after a password change, but I've also seen it happen out of nowhere. The good news: it's almost always a saved sign-in problem, and one of the fixes below will clear it.



Step 1: Make Sure Your Password Works


Before changing anything, sign in on the web to rule out a password problem:


  • Work or school accounts: outlook.office.com

  • Personal accounts (Outlook.com, Hotmail, Live): outlook.live.com


If you can get in, your password is fine and the problem is on your computer. If you can't, reset your password first (or contact your IT department for a work account).



Fix 1: Look for a Hidden Sign-In Window


Sometimes Outlook did ask for your password, but the window opened behind other windows. Check the taskbar for a second Outlook or "Sign in" window. You can also look at the status bar at the bottom of Outlook: if you see Need Password, click it to bring up the sign-in prompt.



Fix 2: Remove Saved Credentials


Windows may be trying an old saved password without telling you.


  1. Close all Office apps.

  2. Click Start, type Credential Manager and open it.

  3. Select Windows Credentials.

  4. Under Generic Credentials, find entries that start with MicrosoftOffice or mention Outlook, and click Remove on each.

  5. Open Outlook. You should be asked to sign in, and your email will start updating.



Fix 3: Sign Out of Office and Back In


  1. In Outlook (or Word), go to File > Office Account.

  2. Click Sign out and confirm.

  3. Close all Office apps, open Outlook again and sign in with your new password.



Fix 4: Disconnect the Work or School Account


On Windows, a work account can be saved under Settings. Removing it forces a fresh sign-in.


  1. Close all Office apps.

  2. Go to Start > Settings > Accounts > Access work or school.

  3. Click the account, then Disconnect.

  4. Open Outlook and sign in when prompted. Anything stuck in your Outbox should send.


Important: only disconnect an entry labeled "Work or school account". If it says Connected to [your company]'s Microsoft Entra ID (or Azure AD), don't disconnect it. That entry links the whole computer to your company and removing it can lock you out. Contact your IT department instead.



Fix 5: Create a New Outlook Profile


If nothing else works, a new profile gives Outlook a clean start. Your email is stored on the server, so it will download again.


  1. Close Outlook.

  2. Open Control Panel and select Mail (Microsoft Outlook). If you don't see it, change View by to Large icons.

  3. Click Show Profiles, then Add, type a name and click OK.

  4. Follow the prompts to add your email account.

  5. Under When starting Microsoft Outlook, use this profile, choose the new profile, then click Apply and OK.

  6. Open Outlook and sign in.


Note: these steps are for classic Outlook for Windows. The new Outlook for Windows doesn't use profiles; remove the account under Settings > Accounts and add it again instead.



Still Stuck?


If Outlook still won't ask for your password, IT-Tech can connect to your computer remotely and get your email working again, usually in a single session.


Book a remote support session and we'll get you sorted out.

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