How To Fix The Issue Outlook Not Connecting to Gmail Server?

Stage 1-Enabling IMAP:

The main function of IMAP (Internet Messaging Access Protocol) is to allow communication between your email client and the mail server. If IMAP is disabled, Outlook will not be able to connect to the Gmail server. So, please follow the steps given here to enable IMAP:

First, open your Gmail account. Next, go to the top-right corner of your account and click the Gear icon. This action will now open the Settings menu.
Under Settings, click the Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab.
Now, please go to the IMAP Access section and then select the Enable IMAP option. The status should show that IMAP is enabled.
Now, click on the Save Changes button.
You have now enabled the IMAP option on your Gmail account. The next stage will involve tweaking your Gmail account security settings.

Stage 2-Allowing less secure apps:

Since your Gmail account security settings might be the reason behind the problem, you will have to change them. Please carry out the following instructions to do the same and fix the outlook not connecting to Gmail server issue:

Within your Gmail account, go to the top-right corner of the screen and click on your profile picture.
Next, choose the My Account option.
Now, select the Sign-in & security option. Then, please go to Connected apps & sites.
You have to locate the Allow less secure apps option and then enable it.
Please save the changes that you have just made.

Stage 3-Creation of App password:

You now have to set up a password using which you can log into Gmail from Outlook. Please execute the instructions provided here to do the same:

Please navigate to the Sign-in & security section of your Gmail account.

Now, find App passwords and then click on the same.

Next, you need to enter your Gmail account password.

Then, from the drop-down menu provided, select Outlook.

Now, click on the Generate button.

You will now find a 16-digit password. This will be the password you have to use to access Gmail from Outlook. So, please make a note of it.

Stage 4-Connecting Gmail to Outlook:

To connect Gmail and Outlook, you need to carry out some instructions to fix outlook not connecting to Gmail server issue. They are as follows:

Note: At a certain point in the following procedure, you will be asked for the 16-digit password (the one you have noted down). So, you will have to enter it in the appropriate space.

The first step will be to launch your Outlook app. The second step is to click the File menu.
Please choose the Add Account option.
Next, select the Manual setup or additional server types option. Then, click on the Next button.
In the window that displays next, click on the POP or IMAP option. Then, click on the Next button.
On the screen that appears next, please enter all the information, including your user, server, and login details.
Now, you have to search for Test Account Settings…
When you have located Test Account Settings…, select the checkbox next to the Automatically test account settings when Next is clicked option.
Select the More Settings button. You will now find yourself inside the Internet E-mail Settings box.
Please go to the Outgoing Server section. Then, select the checkbox next to the My outgoing server (SMTP) requires authentication option.
Now, you have to choose the Use same settings as my incoming mail server option.
The next step is to click the Advanced tab. Please set your Incoming server (IMAP) to 993. Then, set the Outgoing server (SMTP) to 465.
Select the SSL option as the type of encrypted connection.
Please click on the OK button followed by the Next button.
Now, you have to wait patiently for Outlook to test the connection.
When you see that the connection has been established, you can click on the Close button.
Finally, click on the Finish button.

You have now fixed the “Outlook not connecting to the Gmail server” issue.

We have now seen the stages to solve your Outlook not connecting to Gmail server problem.

Issue: Outlook Not Connecting to Gmail Server

Stage 1-Enabling IMAP:

Stage 2-Allowing less secure apps:

Stage 3-Creation of App password:

Stage 4-Connecting Gmail to Outlook: