Unable to verify account name or password on Mac: How to fix the error

Confused by the “unable to verify account name or password” message in the Mail app? It’s an annoying issue. Sometimes it’s a bad cached token. Sometimes the provider locked the account after too many attempts. The fix is usually simple if you test in the right order. I’ve got all the tips.

What does "Unable to verify account name or password" mean?

Quite simply, Mail can’t authenticate with your email server. It doesn’t automatically mean your password is wrong, though it might be. Common causes I see:

• An outdated password still stored in Keychain

• Server issues at the provider or a temporary lock after multiple failures

• Incorrect settings (wrong username, wrong server hostname, wrong port)

• Two-factor changes that require reauthorizing OAuth or creating an app-specific password

• Local Mail or Keychain corruption

Good news, the error is fixable in 10 to 15 minutes once you separate a local Mac issue from a provider issue.

Quick diagnosis — is it your Mac or your email provider?

Before we jump into fixes, you need to know what the issue is. These tips will help you diagnose your problem and save troubleshooting time.

1. Open webmail in a browser

First sign in at Gmail/Outlook/iCloud on the web (whichever the provider is)

• If it works on the web, then Mail on the Mac is the problem.

• If it fails on the web, then this is the provider/account, not your Mac.

2. Try another device

Sign in on your iPhone or another computer.

• If it works elsewhere, then the Mac is the issue, and you’ll need to fix it locally. → fix locally.

• If it fails everywhere, then the Mail provider or account status has an issue.

Do a quick cleanup before deeper steps

Whatever the root cause is, run a Smart Care scan of your MacBook with CleanMyMac, which will safely remove caches and old system junk. Old tokens can linger and interfere, a light cleanup avoids chasing a false local error. Then, retry Mail; here’s how:

1. Open CleanMyMac — get your free trial here (free for seven days)

2. Click Smart Care > Scan.

3. Run any items.

Fixes for unable to verify account name or password

These fixes start with the easiest and escalate in difficulty.

1. Update the password in System Settings

1. System Settings > Internet Accounts > select your email account.

2. Click Password (or Details) > enter the current password.

For Gmail/Outlook, complete the browser-style OAuth sign-in. If your provider uses two-factor, approve the prompt or use an app-specific password if required by that provider.

2. Refresh Mail’s account settings the safe way

Sometimes the account entry is stale:

1. Open the Mail app > Settings > Accounts > select the account.

2. Toggle Enable this account Off, quit Mail, reopen, toggle On.

3. If POP/IMAP hostnames or ports look off, copy them from your provider’s support page and update.

3. Remove outdated Keychain items

1. Open Keychain Access > search for your email address and server names (e.g., imap.gmail.com, smtp.office365.com).

2. Delete the old Internet password entries for that account.

3. Reopen Mail and sign in when prompted.

4. Relaunch Finder and Mail, then rebuild the connection

1. Apple menu > Force Quit > Finder > Relaunch.

2. Quit and reopen Mail.

3. In Mail, Window > Connection Doctor, and verify green checks for IMAP/SMTP.

5. Remove and re-add the account

1. System Settings > Internet Accounts > select the account > Delete Account.

2. Add it again using Add Account, choose the provider, sign in with current credentials.

6. Eliminate blockers

1. Temporarily disable VPN, proxy, or third-party security software.

2. If you’re on a corporate or home router with strict filtering, test another network or hotspot to rule out IP blocks or port filters.

7. Deep reset (only if the above fail)

Manually remove stale preference files; here’s how:

1. Quit Mail, in Finder, press Go > Go to Folder… and visit these two locations:
   

   ~/Library/Preferences/

   ~/Library/Containers/

2. Move com.apple.mail items to the Desktop, then re-add accounts on next launch.

You can also use CleanMyMac > Applications > Manage My Applications > Uninstaller to remove third-party Mail add-ons, legacy plugins, VPN clients, or old security suites that hook into networking. Then reopen Mail and test. CleanMyMac can also reset Apple’s native Mail app itself, and s it can cleanly remove components that often cause auth loops.

Tip: for a reset, click an arrow (>) next to the app, select everything except Binaries, and click Remove. Cannot see preinstalled apps? Go to Settings > Ignore List > Uninstaller and deselect the checkbox next to Ignore system applications.

Still Getting the Error? Next Steps

• Contact your provider to confirm the account isn’t locked and that IMAP/SMTP access is allowed.

• Apple Support is your final stop if Mail fails, while webmail and other clients are fine.

Prevention for next time

• Keep macOS and Mail current.

• Store passwords in iCloud Keychain and update them in Internet Accounts the moment you change them on the web.

• Avoid stacking VPNs, proxies, and mail add-ons.

Well, that's everything on unable to verify account name or password.