Exchange Connection Problems

How to Fix the Exchange Password Required Pop-Up on Mac

WPS Content Manager Sep 30, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user is experiencing a continuous loop of Exchange Password Required pop-ups on their Mac, where entering the correct password results in an authentication failure.

How to Fix the Repeated Exchange Password Required Pop-Up

Product: Microsoft Exchange
Device & OS: macOS
Scenario: Connecting an Exchange email account to a mail client on a Mac device.
Observed behavior: An authentication prompt repeatedly appears on the screen, rejecting valid passwords and failing to sync Exchange services.

Before you start

Verify that your Mac is connected to a stable internet connection and ensure your Exchange account password has not expired or been recently changed by your IT administrator.

Solution 1Recommended

Clear Outdated Exchange Credentials in Keychain Access

Removing old or corrupted passwords from your Mac's Keychain forces the system to authenticate freshly with the Exchange server.

macOS saves your email passwords in a secure local database called Keychain Access. If your Exchange password was recently updated, the mail client might still be trying to use the outdated cached version, causing an authentication loop.

Close the mail application

Quit Apple Mail, Microsoft Outlook, or the specific application that is displaying the continuous Exchange password prompt.

Open Keychain Access

Open Spotlight Search by pressing Command + Space, type 'Keychain Access', and hit Enter to launch the utility.

Search for Exchange entries

In the Keychain Access search bar at the top right, type 'Exchange' to filter the list of saved passwords.

Delete the old credentials

Select any entries related to your Exchange account, right-click (or Control-click) on them, and choose 'Delete'. Confirm the deletion when prompted.

Sign in again

Reopen your mail application. When the Exchange password prompt appears, enter your current, correct password and check the box to remember it in your keychain.

Clear Outdated Exchange Credentials in Keychain Access

Safe Deletion: Deleting passwords from Keychain Access will not delete your emails or account data. It only removes the saved login information.

Solution 2

Switch Networks and Review DNS Settings

Network restrictions or incorrect DNS records can block your Mac from communicating properly with the Microsoft Exchange server.

Solution 3

Verify Account Status via Webmail

Logging into the web version of your Exchange account helps determine if the issue is with the Mac client or the account itself.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Mac keep asking for my Exchange password even though it is correct?

This usually happens because the macOS Keychain has saved an older version of your password. When the app tries to authenticate, it references the cached, incorrect password instead of the one you just typed. Clearing the Keychain cache resolves this.

Will deleting my Exchange password from Keychain Access delete my emails?

No. Keychain Access only stores your login credentials (usernames and passwords). Your actual emails, contacts, and calendar events are stored safely on the Exchange server.

What if my Exchange password works in the browser but not on my Mac mail app?

If webmail works but the Mac app fails, it indicates an issue specific to the app's cache or settings. In some cases, your organization might require 'App Passwords' or modern authentication (OAuth) for desktop clients if Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) is enabled.

Can DNS settings really cause an Exchange password prompt?

Yes. If your DNS settings are routing your connection to an incorrect or outdated server IP, the Mac app cannot securely verify your credentials with the actual Exchange server, resulting in an authentication failure.

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