Outlook Error 0x800CCC92 Invalid Username and Password: How to Fix It
Diane Poremsky
Sep 28, 2026
12 min read

Outlook Error 0x800CCC92 Invalid Username and Password: How to Fix It

People experiencing Outlook Error 0x800CCC92 may be unable to send or receive emails. This error usually appears when the email server rejects the username or password entered in Outlook.

The error message may appear in the following form:

Receiving reported error (0x800CCC92): Your email server rejected your login. Verify your user name and password for this account in Account Settings.

This error does not always mean that the password is wrong. It can also occur when Outlook is using an old saved password, the username is entered incorrectly, the account requires an app password or modern authentication, or the incoming and outgoing server settings are incorrect.

What Causes Outlook Error 0x800CCC92?

Outlook Error 0x800CCC92 can occur due to different reasons. Some of the common causes are described below:

  • The email address or username is entered incorrectly.
  • The password was recently changed but Outlook is still using the old password.
  • Caps Lock is turned on while entering the password.
  • Outlook has saved an outdated password in Windows.
  • The email provider has blocked the sign-in attempt.
  • Two-step verification is enabled and the account needs an app password.
  • The incoming POP or IMAP server settings are incorrect.
  • The outgoing SMTP authentication details are incorrect.
  • POP or IMAP access is disabled for the email account.
  • The email provider requires OAuth or modern authentication.
  • An outdated version of Outlook is using an unsupported sign-in method.
  • Antivirus, firewall, or a network connection is interfering with the login.
  • The Outlook profile or account configuration has become damaged.

Microsoft recommends checking the username, password, account settings, and authentication requirements when Classic Outlook repeatedly asks for a password. Microsoft also notes that the username is usually the full email address and that passwords are case-sensitive.

How Can I Fix Outlook Error 0x800CCC92?

To fix Outlook Error 0x800CCC92, follow the directions described below. Start by checking the login information, and then move to the account, authentication, and Outlook troubleshooting steps if the issue remains.

1. Check Your Username and Password

At first, confirm that you are using the correct email address and password.

  1. Open the webmail page of your email provider.
  2. Enter your complete email address as the username.
  3. Type the password carefully.
  4. Check whether Caps Lock is turned off.
  5. Make sure that there are no extra spaces before or after the username or password.
  6. Sign in to the webmail account.

If you cannot sign in through webmail, reset the password through your email provider before changing Outlook settings. Do not share your password with anyone who promises to fix the Outlook error.

If you can sign in through webmail but Outlook still shows error 0x800CCC92, Outlook may be using an old password or incorrect account settings.

2. Update the Password in Classic Outlook

If you recently changed your email password, update the saved password in Classic Outlook.

  1. At first, open Microsoft Outlook.
  2. Click the File option in the top left corner.
  3. From the left side, tap Info.
  4. Select Account Settings.
  5. Again, tap Account Settings from the available options.
  6. Select the email account that is showing the error.
  7. Tap Change or Repair, depending on the option shown.
  8. Enter the current password when Outlook asks for it.
  9. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the account check.
  10. Lastly, restart Outlook and try to send or receive an email.

The exact options may vary according to your Outlook version and email account type.

3. Check the Incoming and Outgoing Server Settings

Incorrect POP, IMAP, or SMTP details can cause the email server to reject the login. Check the server names, ports, encryption method, username, and authentication method with your email provider.

For Outlook.com, Microsoft lists the following settings:

  • Username: Your complete email address.
  • IMAP server: outlook.office365.com.
  • IMAP port: 993.
  • IMAP encryption: SSL/TLS.
  • POP server: outlook.office365.com.
  • POP port: 995.
  • POP encryption: SSL/TLS.
  • SMTP server: smtp-mail.outlook.com.
  • SMTP port: 587.
  • SMTP encryption: STARTTLS.
  • Authentication: OAuth2 or Modern Authentication.

Microsoft also states that POP and IMAP access may be disabled by default for Outlook.com and may need to be enabled in Outlook.com settings.

If you are using Gmail, Yahoo Mail, iCloud, a business email account, or another email provider, do not use the Outlook.com settings. Use the server settings provided by that email service.

4. Check the Account Type in Classic Outlook

Make sure that the account type selected in Outlook matches the email service. An Outlook.com, Hotmail.com, Live.com, or MSN.com account should generally be added as an Outlook.com account instead of being configured incorrectly as a different account type.

If you are using a third-party email account, check whether it uses IMAP or POP. IMAP synchronizes messages and folders across devices, while POP generally downloads messages to the mail application.

5. Turn Off Secure Password Authentication If Required

Some third-party IMAP accounts may not work when Require logon using Secure Password Authentication (SPA) is selected. Microsoft’s troubleshooting guidance says to make sure this option is unchecked when Classic Outlook does not ask for the correct password during IMAP setup.

  1. Open the account settings in Classic Outlook.
  2. Select the affected IMAP account.
  3. Tap More Settings or open the manual account settings.
  4. Find the option for Require logon using Secure Password Authentication (SPA).
  5. Clear the option if your email provider does not require SPA.
  6. Save the changes and test the account again.

Do not change this setting without checking the instructions from your email provider.

6. Use an App Password If Required

Some email providers require an app password when two-step verification is enabled or when the email application does not support the provider’s normal sign-in process. An app password is different from your usual account password.

  1. Sign in to your email provider’s security page.
  2. Turn on two-step verification if required by the provider.
  3. Create an app password for Outlook or the mail application.
  4. Copy the generated app password.
  5. Enter it in Outlook instead of your regular password.

Microsoft notes that an app password may be required when automatic setup fails even though the email address and password are correct. Never share an app password with another person. If you no longer need it, remove it from your email provider’s security settings.

7. Check Modern Authentication Requirements

Some email providers no longer allow older sign-in methods for POP, IMAP, or SMTP. In that situation, Outlook may reject the login even when the username and password are correct.

For Outlook.com, Microsoft requires Modern Authentication or OAuth2 for POP, IMAP, and SMTP access.

For a Microsoft 365 business account, the administrator may need to check whether POP, IMAP, or SMTP AUTH is enabled. Microsoft explains that authentication policies and SMTP settings can prevent POP or IMAP clients from connecting to Exchange Online. If you manage a business Microsoft 365 account, contact your administrator before changing authentication policies. Do not enable an older authentication method unless your organization has approved it and understands the security risk.

8. Remove Saved Outlook Credentials from Windows

Windows may continue using an old saved password after you change the account password. You can remove saved Outlook-related credentials and sign in again.

  1. Close Microsoft Outlook.
  2. Open the Windows Search box.
  3. Type Credential Manager.
  4. Open Credential Manager.
  5. Select Windows Credentials.
  6. Look for credentials related to Outlook, Microsoft Office, or the affected email account.
  7. Remove only the credentials that you recognize as related to the affected account.
  8. Open Outlook again and enter the current password when requested.

Do not remove unrelated credentials. If you are unsure which credential belongs to Outlook, ask your administrator or use another troubleshooting method first.

9. Update Microsoft Outlook and Windows

An outdated version of Outlook or Windows may create compatibility problems with current email-security requirements.

  1. At first, open Microsoft Outlook.
  2. Tap the File option.
  3. Select Office Account or Microsoft 365 Account.
  4. Tap Update Options.
  5. Select Update Now.
  6. Restart Outlook after the update is completed.

You should also open Windows Update and install available updates. Restart the computer after installing the updates.

10. Check the Email Provider’s Account Status

The email provider may temporarily block a sign-in attempt because of unusual activity, a new device, a new location, or too many incorrect password attempts.

  1. Sign in to the email provider’s webmail page.
  2. Check recent sign-in activity.
  3. Approve the sign-in if the provider asks whether it was you.
  4. Check whether the account is locked or suspended.
  5. Unlock or recover the account through the provider’s official website.
  6. Try Outlook again after the account is working through webmail.

For Outlook.com IMAP connection issues, Microsoft recommends checking recent account activity and confirming that the connection was authorized when the account is configured in multiple email clients.

11. Check Antivirus and Firewall Settings

Antivirus or firewall software may sometimes interfere with Outlook’s connection to the email server. If the problem started after installing or updating security software, check whether it is blocking Outlook or scanning email connections.

Do not leave antivirus or firewall protection disabled permanently. If you temporarily test the connection, enable the security protection again immediately after checking. Contact the security-software provider if it continues to block Outlook.

12. Create a New Outlook Profile

If the username, password, and server settings are correct but Outlook continues to show error 0x800CCC92, the Outlook profile may be damaged.

  1. Close Outlook.
  2. Open the Windows Search box.
  3. Type Control Panel and open it.
  4. Select Mail.
  5. Tap Show Profiles.
  6. Select Add and create a new profile.
  7. Add the affected email account to the new profile.
  8. Open Outlook with the new profile and test the account.

Before removing or changing an existing profile, make sure that important local Outlook data files are backed up.

13. Remove and Add the Email Account Again

If the problem remains, remove the affected account from Outlook and add it again using the current provider settings.

  1. Open Outlook account settings.
  2. Select the affected email account.
  3. Tap Remove or Delete.
  4. Restart Outlook.
  5. Select Add Account.
  6. Sign in with the current email address and password.
  7. If required, enter the correct POP, IMAP, and SMTP settings.
  8. Complete the sign-in or OAuth window provided by the email service.
  9. Send a test email and check whether the error is fixed.

Before removing an account, confirm that important emails are available through webmail or are backed up. This is particularly important for POP accounts and messages stored only on the computer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Outlook Error 0x800CCC92 mean? 

Outlook Error 0x800CCC92 generally means that the email server rejected the login. The cause may be an incorrect username, old password, wrong server settings, an app-password requirement, blocked access, or an authentication problem.

Is Outlook Error 0x800CCC92 always caused by a wrong password? 

No. The error can also appear when the username is incorrect, Outlook has stored an old password, the account requires an app password, POP or IMAP access is disabled, or the selected authentication method is not supported.

Should I use my complete email address as the username? 

Many email providers require the complete email address as the username, but the exact requirement can vary. Microsoft states that the username for many Classic Outlook accounts is the full email address.

What should I do if my password works in webmail but not in Outlook? 

Update the saved password in Outlook, check the server settings, remove outdated Windows credentials, and complete the provider’s modern authentication or app-password process if required.

Do I need an app password for Outlook? 

You may need an app password when two-step verification is enabled and your email provider requires one for Outlook or another mail application. Check your provider’s official security instructions before creating one.

What are the Outlook.com IMAP settings for this error? 

Microsoft lists outlook.office365.com as the IMAP server, port 993 with SSL/TLS encryption, and OAuth2 or Modern Authentication. Outlook.com SMTP uses smtp-mail.outlook.com, port 587, and STARTTLS.

Why does Outlook keep asking for my password? 

Outlook may keep asking for a password because the password was changed, the saved password is outdated, the username is incorrect, the password has expired, or the provider requires an app password or modern authentication.

Can antivirus software cause Outlook Error 0x800CCC92?

Antivirus or firewall software may sometimes interfere with Outlook’s connection, but it is not the only possible cause. Check the security settings without leaving protection disabled permanently.

What should I do if the error continues after checking everything? 

Sign in through webmail, confirm the account status, verify the server settings with your email provider, create a new Outlook profile, or remove and add the account again. For a business account, contact your email administrator because POP, IMAP, or SMTP access may be restricted.

Read Also: What Is Outlook Error 0x800CCC1A? IMAP Server Encryption Fixes

Conclusion

By following the above-mentioned steps, you can fix Outlook Error 0x800CCC92 invalid username and password in many cases. At first, check the complete email address, current password, Caps Lock, and webmail access. After that, update the saved password in Outlook and verify the POP, IMAP, SMTP, port, encryption, and authentication settings.

If your email provider uses two-step verification, check whether an app password is required. For Outlook.com accounts, use Modern Authentication or OAuth2 and the current Microsoft server settings. If the problem remains, remove outdated Windows credentials, create a new Outlook profile, or add the account again.

Do not share your password or app password with anyone. If the account is managed by an organization, contact the email administrator before changing authentication policies or server access.

This article is for general information and does not represent Microsoft or any email service provider.

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