Notice that my account needs attention

Reset the cached Gmail authorization in Windows and Google, then reconnect from Classic Outlook; this addresses the loop where browser authentication completes but Outlook still reports “Sorry, we could not sign you in to Google – IMAP.” ^1^

Reset the Gmail connection

Since granting access already completed but Outlook did not accept the result, clear both sides of the existing authorization:

1. Close Outlook completely.
2. In a browser, sign in to the affected Google account.
3. Select your profile picture → Manage your Google Account.
4. Select Security → Your connections to third-party apps & services.
5. Select Microsoft apps & services → See details.
6. Select Remove all access → Confirm.
7. In Windows, open Start, search for Credential Manager, and open it.
8. Select Windows Credentials.
9. Under Generic Credentials, expand entries beginning with: MicrosoftOffice16_Data:OAUTH2
10. Remove each entry whose full name contains: tp_google_imap_Oauth2

There are normally two relevant credentials per Gmail account. Removing them clears saved sign-in tokens; it does not delete Gmail messages, but it may require that Gmail account to authenticate again. ^1^

11. Reopen Outlook and select Sign in via browser from the notification bar.
12. Sign in to the correct Google account.
13. Select the checkbox allowing Microsoft apps and services to read, compose, send, and permanently delete Gmail, then complete authorization.
14. Return to Outlook. If synchronization does not begin, restart Outlook once.

That permission wording is broad because Outlook needs full mailbox access to operate as an email client. Google controls the consent screen. If that permission is not granted, Classic Outlook cannot complete its Gmail IMAP setup. Microsoft’s documented Gmail setup process likewise requires selecting Allow on Google’s permissions page. ^2^

If the authorization reset still loops

1. Update Classic Outlook

In Outlook, open:

File → Office Account → Update Options → Update Now

Restart Outlook after the update and repeat the browser sign-in. Microsoft’s newer Retry flow requires Current Channel Version 2412 Build 18324.20168 or later. The version and build appear under File → Office Account → About Outlook. ^1^

2. Enable connected experiences, if disabled

This branch applies particularly when Outlook displays the exact “Sorry, we could not sign you in to Google – IMAP” message:

1. Open File → Office Account.
2. Under Account Privacy, select Manage Settings.
3. Enable Optional connected experiences.
4. Restart Outlook and reconnect Gmail.

Microsoft documented this setting as the workaround for that exact sign-in failure in affected Outlook versions. ^3^

3. Check whether Gmail still exposes an IMAP control

If the error changes to “We weren’t able to set up your Google account with IMAP,” open Gmail settings and check whether Enable IMAP is available and enabled. Google is removing that control, so it may not appear for every account. ^4^

Avoid repeatedly granting access without first clearing the cached OAuth credentials—the browser can report successful authentication while Outlook continues using the stale local credential.

References

1. Unable to add a Gmail account to classic Outlook | Microsoft Support
2. [Classic Outlook](https://support.microsoft.com/outlook/getstarted/add-a-gmail-account-to-outlook-for-windows)
3. Unable to add a Gmail account to Outlook "Could not sign you in to ...
4. Unable to sign in or add a Gmail account to classic Outlook | Microsoft Support