Outlook Login Problems

Fix Outlook for Mac Authentication Errors When Adding Email

Steve K Oct 9, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user is unable to add a specific email account to Outlook for Mac due to a persistent authentication loop, even though other accounts on the same domain work properly.

How to Fix Outlook for Mac Authentication Errors

Product: Microsoft Outlook for Mac
Device & OS: macOS
Scenario: Adding a new email account (frequently hosted by GoDaddy) to the Outlook for Mac desktop application.
Observed behavior: The application displays an 'Authentication could not be completed' error and hangs indefinitely on a spinning connection screen.

Before you start

Ensure you have your correct email address and password ready, and verify that your Mac is connected to a stable internet network before attempting to re-authenticate.

Solution 1Recommended

Reset Authentication via Webmail

Signing into your email provider's webmail interface and signing out can reset the authentication token, resolving the login loop in Outlook for Mac.

This method is highly effective for accounts hosted by GoDaddy or other providers utilizing Modern Authentication. It clears cached web session data and forces the server to issue a fresh login prompt when you connect via the desktop app.

Access Webmail

Open your web browser and navigate to your email provider's webmail login page (such as Outlook on the web or your provider's specific webmail portal).

Sign In

Enter your email address and password to successfully sign in to your inbox.

Sign Out Completely

Click on your profile icon or name in the top right corner of the webmail interface and select 'Sign out'. Ensure the web session is completely terminated.

Add Account in Outlook

Reopen Outlook for Mac. Go to 'Tools' > 'Accounts' in the top menu bar, click the '+' icon, and attempt to add your email account again.

Authentication Refreshed: Outlook should now prompt you for your credentials correctly and complete the connection process without hanging on the spinning screen.

Solution 2

Verify Provider Settings and App Passwords

If resetting the web session fails, check if your email host requires an app-specific password or updated manual IMAP/Exchange server settings.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Outlook for Mac get stuck on a spinning connection screen?

This typically occurs when Outlook fails to receive a complete authentication token from the email server. It is especially common with providers like GoDaddy, where the web-based login prompt fails to pass the success signal back to the desktop application.

Does clearing the Mac Keychain resolve this Outlook authentication error?

While clearing credentials from the Mac Keychain is a standard troubleshooting step for basic password issues, it often does not fix this specific web-based authentication loop. Resetting the session via webmail is the proven solution.

Why does the email account work in Apple Mail but not Outlook?

Apple Mail utilizes macOS's integrated account authentication protocols, which can sometimes bypass the specific Modern Authentication wrappers that Outlook for Mac relies on. Because they handle tokens differently, an account can connect successfully in one app while failing in the other.

Outlook & Email Problems