Outlook Login Problems

Fix Outlook 365 Password Prompts and Connection Errors

Adam Davis Oct 10, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to resolve an issue where Outlook 365 continuously prompts for a password and fails to connect to the email server.

How to Fix Outlook 365 Repeated Password Prompts and Connection Errors

Product: Microsoft Outlook 365
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Opening or syncing emails in Outlook 365 after credential changes or experiencing authentication issues.
Observed behavior: Outlook repeatedly requests a password and displays connection errors, often accompanied by correlation IDs, timestamps, and error codes such as 2148073494.

Before you start

Ensure you know your current, correct Microsoft account email and password, and save any open drafts in other Office applications before proceeding.

Solution 1Recommended

Refresh Office Authentication and Clear Outlook Cache

This comprehensive method clears out stale login data and cached files that typically cause continuous password prompts in Outlook.

Authentication errors in Office 365 are frequently caused by a mismatch between the stored credentials on your device and the active server sessions. By signing out completely and clearing the local RoamCache, you force Outlook to fetch a fresh authentication token.

Sign out of Office

Close all running Microsoft Office applications like Word and Excel. Open just one app, navigate to File > Account, click 'Sign Out', and then restart your Windows computer.

Update Office applications

After restarting, open any non-Outlook Office application, go to File > Account > Update Options, and click 'Update Now' to ensure you have the latest software version.

Clear the Outlook RoamCache

Press the Windows Key + R, paste %localappdata%\Microsoft\Outlook\RoamCache into the Run dialog, and press Enter. Select all files in this folder and delete them to remove corrupted cached data.

Test in Safe Mode

Press Windows Key + R again, type Outlook /safe, and press Enter. If Outlook opens without prompting for a password, the connection issue is resolved and you can restart Outlook normally.

Refresh Office Authentication and Clear Outlook Cache

Cache Cleared Successfully: Deleting the RoamCache folder is perfectly safe; Outlook will automatically rebuild these temporary files the next time it connects.

Solution 2

Contact Support for Persistent Correlation Errors

If you continue to see a correlation ID or specific error codes like 2148073494, the issue may require intervention from Microsoft backend support.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for a Hassle-Free Document Experience

If you are tired of constant authentication errors, complex login hurdles, and subscription prompts in Microsoft Office, WPS Office offers a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative. Enjoy seamless document creation and editing without the login friction.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS website and download the free WPS Office installation file.
2. Install the Software: Run the downloaded executable file and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the quick installation.
3. Open Your Documents: Right-click any existing Microsoft Office file on your computer, select 'Open with', and choose WPS Office to start working immediately.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx).No complex subscription logins or cloud-sync authentication required for local offline editing.Lightweight installation that runs smoothly even on older Windows computers.Familiar user interface makes switching from Microsoft Office effortless and intuitive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Outlook 365 keep asking for my password?

This usually happens because of cached or outdated authentication tokens, a recently changed Microsoft account password, or a synchronization mismatch between your Windows credentials and the Office 365 login server.

What does error code 2148073494 mean in Outlook?

Error code 2148073494 typically indicates a problem with the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) on your computer or a corrupted Office authentication token, which prevents Outlook from verifying your login credentials.

Will clearing the Outlook RoamCache folder delete my emails?

No, deleting files in the RoamCache folder only removes temporary cache data like your autocomplete email history and synchronization logs. Your actual emails remain safe on the email server and in your main PST or OST data files.

How do I start Outlook in Safe Mode?

Press the Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box, type 'Outlook /safe' (without quotes, ensuring there is a space before the forward slash), and press Enter. This launches Outlook without third-party add-ins.

Outlook & Email Problems