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How to Fix Outlook Sign-In Error AADSTS20012 After Password Change
Question details
The user needs to resolve an Outlook authentication error that occurs after updating the password for a GoDaddy-hosted email account.
- Product
- Microsoft Outlook
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to sign in to Outlook after updating the email account password.
- Observed behavior
- Outlook displays error AADSTS20012, indicating an invalid or malformed WS-Federation message due to outdated sign-in information stored in the account profile.
Ensure you have the exact new password for your email account and that your computer is connected to a stable internet connection before modifying your Outlook profile.
Reconfigure Your Outlook Account via Control Panel
The most reliable way to fix this error is to bypass the outdated cached credentials by adding your account fresh through the Windows Control Panel.
This method forces Outlook to establish a new authentication token with the server without requiring you to delete your existing email data files.
Restart your computer to clear any temporary active sessions that might interfere with the new login attempt.
Open the Windows Start menu, search for 'Control Panel', and launch it. Change the View by setting to 'Large icons' or 'Small icons', then click on the 'Mail' or 'Mail (Microsoft Outlook)' applet.
Click on 'Email Accounts...' to view your current profiles. Under the Email tab, click 'New...' and enter your email address along with the newly updated password to add the account.
Once the new account is successfully authenticated and added, select the old, outdated account entry from the list and click 'Remove'. Set the newly added account as the default if prompted.
Run the Microsoft Sign-in Helper Tool
Use Microsoft's automated diagnostic tool to detect and resolve authentication token issues.
Switch to WPS Office for a Streamlined Document Experience
If you frequently encounter complex sign-in errors and profile corruption in Microsoft Office, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and user-friendly alternative for your productivity needs.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click 'Download WPS Office Free'.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded installer file and follow the quick setup instructions to complete the lightweight installation.
- 3. Open Your Files: Launch WPS Office and seamlessly open your existing Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents without worrying about format changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does error AADSTS20012 mean in Outlook?
Error AADSTS20012 indicates that a WS-Federation message is invalid or malformed. It typically occurs when your email client tries to authenticate using an outdated or corrupted password token after a recent password change.
Will removing my Outlook account in the Control Panel delete my emails?
No, removing the email account from the Mail applet removes the connection profile, but as long as you do not delete the underlying Outlook Data Files (.ost or .pst), your emails, contacts, and calendar events remain safe on your computer.
Why did this error happen after changing my GoDaddy email password?
GoDaddy uses Microsoft 365 for its email hosting. When you change your password on GoDaddy's end, Outlook's locally cached federation token for Microsoft 365 becomes invalid, triggering the AADSTS20012 error until the Windows profile is refreshed.
Do I need to reinstall Outlook to fix this sign-in error?
No, reinstalling Outlook is usually unnecessary. Re-adding your email account via the Control Panel Mail applet or clearing cached credentials is typically enough to resolve the token mismatch issue.
