IMAP Authentication Failed – How to fix it?

To access an IMAP account, through a browser or an email client, you provide your email address and password. But sometimes, this simple log in process becomes confusing. Even if you enter the correct account credentials, the server will give you an IMAP authentication failed error. Some email providers can even block you, for security purposes, in case the authentication fails multiple times.

I was in the same situation last month, so I know exactly how frustrating it can be, especially if you need to urgently access an email. In this blog, I will help you solve the IMAP authentication failure issue with the techniques I used. Furthermore, I will also tell you how I make sure I have 100% access to emails all the time without fail.

Why IMAP Authentication Failed – Top Reasons

The most common reasons behind authentication failure during IMAP log in are:

Old Password
This is a frequent occurrence; I, too, have done it a few times myself. Users forget the last updated password and mistakenly try to login with an old password.

Multi-Factor Authentication
When you have enabled the two-factor authentication feature and try to log in to an email client with a standard password, you will get the IMAP authentication failed error.

IMAP Disabled
If you can’t log in with the correct password, then maybe your IMAP access is disabled from the server.

Incorrect IMAP Setting
An IMAP account configured with the wrong port or server details will constantly give an authorization failure error.

Server-Side Security
When you try to access your account from a new device, the server may interpret this log in request as an attack. This will fail the IMAP authentication.

Outdated Email Client
Even with correct credentials and server settings, an outdated email client can fail to communicate with the server and authenticate you.

How to Fix IMAP Authentication Failed Issue?

To solve the problem and get back to your email account, try the following methods:

Verify Credentials
Since this is the most common reason for failure, you should start by verifying the password and email address. Even a single letter of mistake can invalidate the authentication request.

If you have forgotten your password, you can create a new password using the forgotten password function. Then log in again with the new credentials.

Note: If the credentials are handed to you by your admin, contact the admin.

Try App Specific Password
If you are using the 2-factor authentication to protect your data, you will not be able to log in using the standard passwords. To safely log in to your account, create an app-specific password and use it for log in

Reconfigure your IMAP Details
As I said above, incorrect IMAP or port settings can also trigger the IMAP authentication failed error. Check the IMAP settings for Office 365, Google, and other email servers and verify if you are using the correct one.

Furthermore, check if your IMAP is disabled by navigating to your server settings section. If you have access, enable it and then try to log in again.

Update your Email Client
If you are using an email client like Apple Mail, Thunderbird or Outlook to setup Exchange Server or a Google account, make sure the application is updated to the latest version.

Is there a way to Access Emails without logging in to your Email Account?

Yes, infect most IT professionals and system admins always have a second copy of emails to access data in events like IMAP authentication failed. After I got this error myself, I started using an email backup tool to make sure I never lose access to my important emails.

You can also use the email server’s built-in backup function, if there is one. However, for fast and accurate backup, a dedicated tool is much better. Also, the manual backup method is not feasible when you have thousands of email accounts. Be it a single account or bulk account backup, you must prefer to use an advanced email backup tool like Kernel IMAP Backup and Restore. It’s a robust IMAP backup tool that deeply scans your mailbox and guarantees a 100% error-free backup.

Conclusion

Fix the annoying IMAP authentication failed issue with the method given above. To prevent such errors, always use the latest password and configure your email accounts with the correct IMAP details. Invest in a trusted IMAP backup tool to make sure you never lose access to your emails.

Frequently Asked Questions