How to Fix Gmail IMAP Error 78754 on Outlook?
Microsoft Outlook is a part of Microsoft Office Suite which helps the user to manage his/her personal information. It is an email client for primary use but it also includes features like calendar, contact manager, task manager, etc. for the user to schedule his daily life.
The 78754 Failure is a Microsoft Outlook web log-in error experienced by an individual when the user tries to access his/her Gmail account. An IMAP glitch causes the mail server to forcibly shut out a client while it was trying to gain access to the user emails through the Microsoft Outlook platform.
This error usually pops up in cases; when the user log-in credentials are not recognized, when the user is trying to access his/her account from a new device/location, when Google detects suspicious user log-in, when an app-specific password is required for signing in, instead of the regular account password or any other similar situation. The error notification is displayed to the user as follows:
Before we proceed any further, you need to have some understanding of Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP).
What is IMAP Server?
IMAP is a standard electronic mail protocol platform that stores messages on a mail server and then allows the user to view, manipulate and organize the emails as the user sees fit. The messages stored on the mail server are originally stored on the user’s machine.
IMAP also allows the user to access all the mainmail controls on multiple mail clients (Outlook, MailExplorer, etc.) even on different devices, synchronizing everything in real-time i.e. a user could set up his/her mail account on Microsoft Outlook desktop client as well as on Outlook Android/iPhone app at the same time.
What Causes Gmail IMAP Error 78754 on Outlook?
As already illustrated in the case situations above, this error may arise due to many reasons. Most reported ones are as follows:
- Suspicious Log-in: When Google detects a suspicious log-in on your account. You logging in to your account at a strange timeline could be an example for suspicious log-in.
- Incorrect Log-in Credentials: When the password put by the user is not recognized or incorrect. Make sure to check your Caps Lock before entering your password as passwords protected by Google are case-sensitive.
- Different Device or Location: When the user tries to access his/her Gmail account from a different location or a new device.
- 2-Step Verification: Since Google provides this extra security check, it might be the reason behind the error happening. Application-specific password may also be required before log-in in some cases.
- IMAP configuration: Incorrect IMAP Server settings may lead to this error. IMAP not being enabled in the first place may also be causing this error.
- Outlook Configuration: Outdated Outlook configuration may also lead to this error i.e. wrong ports may be set, IMAP may have not been selected for the mail server, etc.
- Outdated Client: An outdated Microsoft Outlook Client may also cause this error since its database needs to be updated on a daily basis for an ideal working environment.
Solution 1: Re-verify your Gmail Log-in Credentials
Simply just re-verify your log-in credentials so that they are correct in every way possible. If this is the error origin, then, this solution will probably work. Thus, it should be your first point of call. After confirming your log-in details, perform a log-in check on Outlook using a PC or mobile device and the error should be resolved.
Note: Since Google protected passwords are case-sensitive, make sure to check your Caps Lock key to avoid any mistakes.
Solution 2: Enabling IMAP and Allow Less Secure Apps on Gmail
As explained earlier, IMAP servers are needed to make Microsoft Outlook work properly. Hence, it is a must to enable it. In case, users have it disabled, they may face this error. You can enable it by performing the following steps:
- Open the Gmail Log-in page from your web browser.
- Log-in to Gmail with your account details.
- On the top right corner, click the Gear Icon and select Settings from the drop-down menu.
Navigating to Gmail Settings - Switch to Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab and select Enable IMAP right beside IMAP access.
- Click Save Changes.
Enabling IMAP Settings
In addition to this, enabling Allow Less Secure Apps will feature the user to get rid of this error since Microsoft Outlook client may be recognized as a less secure app by Google, sometimes.
Note: Make sure you do not have 2-Step Verification enabled before enabling this feature because in case you have it enabled, this option will not be available for you with a notification ‘This setting is not available for accounts with 2-Step Verification enabled. Such accounts require an application-specific password for less secure apps access’ as shown below.
- While still logged in, navigate to Google Security page from your web browser.
- Scroll down to find Less secure app access and click on Turn on access (not recommended) to enable this feature.
Enabling Allow Less Secure Apps Feature - Try logging into Microsoft Outlook client. This issue should now be resolved.
Solution 3: Generate an App-specific Password (if 2-Step Verification is Enabled)
As discussed before, you can not enable Allow Less Secure Apps feature by Google mail services if you have extra-security check i.e. 2-Step Verification enabled. In this case scenario, the user must generate an App-specific password before he/she can log-in on your Microsoft Outlook client. Follow the given procedure in doing so:
- Open the Gmail Log-in page from your web browser.
- Log-in to Gmail with your account details.
- While still logged in, navigate to Google Security page from your web browser.
- Navigate to Signing in to Google and click on App passwords.
Google Extra-security Settings - Confirm your sign-in again to proceed further.
- Click on Select app > Other (Custom name) .
Adding App-specific Password - Type Outlook and hit Generate.
Setting App-specific Password for Outlook - This will generate an app password for your device. Copy the generated 16-character password.
Copying App-specific Password - Use this password for signing into your Microsoft Outlook. This should fix your issue.
Solution 4: Check your Microsoft Outlook Configuration
As mentioned before, 78754 failure may occur if Microsoft Outlook is not configured correctly. To make sure if it is configured correctly, follow:
- Click Start or press Windows key, search Outlook and hit Enter.
Searching Outlook - Now enter your email address, click on Advanced options and check Let me set up my account manually and hit Connect.
Connecting Gmail Manually - Select IMAP (for Windows 10 Operating System) or POP or Google on other Windows versions.
Selecting IMAP Server - Ensure that IMAP or POP access is turned on (It should already be done while following solution 2 steps) before attempting to add your Gmail account on Microsoft Outlook client.
- Use the given server information to configure your Microsoft Outlook client correctly.
Incoming mail
Server: imap.gmail.com Port: 993 Encryption method: SSL/TLS Require logon using Secure Password Authentication (SPA): Unchecked
Incoming Mail Settings Outgoing mail
Server: smtp.gmail.com Port: 465 Encryption method: SSL/TLS Server timeout: One bar Require logon using Secure Password Authentication (SPA): Unchecked My outgoing (SMTP) server requires authentication: Checked Use same settings as my incoming mail server: Checked
Outgoing Mail Settings - You will be required to enter your log-in credentials. Put your correct information and click Connect. This should fix your error.
Solution 5: Update your Microsoft Outlook
As we know, sometimes, an outdated Windows cause troubling errors forbidding the proper functionality of Windows applications and features. Similarly, any outdated application can behave the same way. Therefore, upgrading your email client (Microsoft Outlook) to the latest version might just simply fix your problem. If none of the solutions have worked for you, this finally should. Follow the given procedure to do so:
- Click Start or press Windows key, search Outlook and hit Enter.
- Navigate to File and click on Office Account.
Office Account Navigation - Click Update Options, select Update Now from the drop-down menu.
Update Now Navigation - This will automatically find updates for your Microsoft Outlook client and install them.
- To make sure you are updated to the latest version, you should see the following message when you repeat the same procedure.
Outlook Updated Notification