[Fixed] Unable to Verify Account Name or Password in Apple Mail

Users may stumble upon the “unable to verify account name or password” issue on Mac when accessing services such as LinkedIn, Google, Yahoo and Flickr. This issue may come from security concerns, wrong password and proxy server settings.

We recently received queries on a quick fix to fix the issue from our readers. This article constitutes our response and reliable solutions for Mac owners grappling with the puzzle.

Contents: Part 1. Why Does My Mac Keep Saying Unable to Verify Account Name or Password?Part 2. How to Fix Unverified Name or Password Issue in Apple Mail?Part 3. Final Thoughts

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Part 1. Why Does My Mac Keep Saying Unable to Verify Account Name or Password?

Apple Mail remains connected to the server to confirm if users have a new item in the inbox. When the email server goes down temporarily or gets inundated with requests, it declines the requisitions from Mac mail with an error message like “unable to verify account name or password”. However, this may also occur if you change keychain password as this wipes data in internet accounts.

Below are some possible reasons why you see this error in your Apple Mail:

1. The mail server is experiencing an issue.
2. Your password was recently changed, but the keychain still retains the old one.
3. You entered the password manually and made a mistake.

Part 2. How to Fix Unverified Name or Password Issue in Apple Mail?

We have collected some quick fixes and measures to avoid mistakes that we hope will help you if "Unable to Verify Account Name or Password".

1. Remove Expired Certificates or Old Passwords Archived in Keychain on Mac

If your mail remains inaccessible due to the unable to verify account name or password error, check the Keychain to erase obsolete data. Delete any terminated or annulled certificates along with existing password duplications from the Keychain.

From Applications, launch Keychain Access and search for the entry based on the connections you use like here. Next, go to Mac mail and confirm your email, a password prompt will appear. Type the exact password in the account password field and enable “Remember this password in my keychain”.

2. Clear Apple Mail Cache

You can rely on Mac cleaner tools to clean up your Mac. Often, folder caches, cookies, and junk files corrupt your Mac while diminishing performance. These files belong to purgeable space and can be removed.

For bugs-free maintenance, PowerMyMac spruces up, protects, and optimizes your Mac machine. It erases and steers clear of future junk, detects duplicates, uninstalls unnecessary apps, and makes your device run at full pelt. It packs up to many useful tools for all-around care.

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You can clear your Apple Mail caches or other application caches using the PowerMyMac "Junk Cleaner" tool if you can't verify your account name or password.

Best of all, PowerMyMac also comes with an "App Uninstaller" feature to permanently remove unnecessary applications and related pieces of data. You can rely on this tool to solve any issues associated with uninstalled stubborn apps. This cleaner digs deeper to eliminate every fragment of the uninstalled software.

3. Delete Offline Mail Cache Folder

If your mailbox is sluggish or the emails don’t appear, we recommend removal of the offline mail cache because infected data may cause the error code. Follow these steps to erase mail caches and avoid "unable to verify account name or password" issue:

1. From the Terminal window, fill in the command, viz. "defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles TRUE;killall Finder" and press Enter to see the underground cache files;
2. Shut down the Mail application;
3. Navigate to the cache folder as follows, Users > your_profile > Library > Mail > IMAP_account_name;
4. Delete ".OfflineCache".

A newly-created cache folder kicks in when you launch Mail app again. Open the app to ascertain if the email loading runs faster and whether the error of unverified name or password has disappeared. To get rid of Mail cache, you can also utilize the multi-tool cleaner - PowerMyMac. This cleaner can help you erase system data, duplicates, caches, uninstalled app remnants and more on Mac.

4. Feed Email Password in System Preferences

The verifying hitch may appear if you previously changed the Keychain password. If you encounter the validation issue in the Mail app, feed in the password to authorize the account in System Preferences.

Do these steps to fix "unable to verify account name or password" issue:

1. Launch System Preferences and select Internet Accounts;
2. On the left board, select the account that needs validation, pop-up prompts you for the password.
3. Hit Cancel to view the comprehensive page of archived email accounts.
4. Fill in the password in the blank fields and hold down Tab key button on the keyboard to access the next spaces.
5. The system validates your account as long as you enter the correct password. A similar method applies to confirm email accounts.

5. Deactivate and Reactivate the Mail Account

1. In Mail, access the Mail menu and select Settings.
2. Choose the desired account.
3. Deselect the option 'Enable this account.'
4. After a brief pause, reselect 'Enable this account.'
5. Exit Settings.

6. Re-Feed Email Account

Deleting and re-feeding the email details into the Mail app may pull off the account name and password validation trick. The effects of this include the removal of the email cache from the system. However, the computer preserves the attachment you’ve stored and the genuine data archived on the email server.

Choose between the approaches below to get rid of the email accounts and fix "unable to verify account name or password" issue.

Way #1. Delete the email account from the Mail App

1. Open the Mail app.
2. Hit Mail option at the top menu followed by Preferences at the pull-down list.
3. Click on the email account required on the left sidebar, and then choose "-" button at the foot.
4. Hit “OK” to wrap up the process.

Way #2. Delete the Email Account from System Preference

1. Launch System Preferences and select Internet Accounts.
2. Select the email account required followed by "-" button at the foot.
3. Click on “OK” to finish the process.

Restart the machine after the deletion. Reintroduce the email account to the Mail app via System Preferences>Internet accounts or Mail App > Mail > Accounts.

7. Access Your Email from Another Device/Browsers

To troubleshoot potential issues with the email server you're attempting to log into, you can access your email via a web browser. If your email account is with providers such as Google Mail, Microsoft, or Yahoo!, ex, log in directly through their respective websites. For accounts associated with private domains, utilize a webmail client if available.

If there isn't a webmail client for your email account, try logging in from a different device such as an iPhone or iPad. Successfully accessing your email via a web browser or alternate device indicates that the email server is functioning correctly.

If you encounter difficulties logging in via a web browser or alternate device, verify that the password entered is accurate. If the password is correct, the issue likely resides with the email server, necessitating patience until the "unable to verify account name or password" matter is resolved.

8. Deactivate Two-Step Verification Security

Service providers such as Gmail, AOL, and Yahoo include a Two-Step Verification to add an extra layer of security. It’s a double-edged sword as this means vulnerable email apps cannot verify the account and password.

The solution is to disable this security feature and verify your email account and turn it on after solving the problem.

9. Restart The Mac Machine

Restarting the machine and launching Safari will generate new folders in minutes. Immediately after you hear startup chime, latch on the Shift key until the gray Apple icon and a progress bar pop up. Rebooting takes longer. This will refresh caches, launches a directory screening, and deactivates all login items along with other things. It may be the easiest solution for "unable to verify account name or password".

10. Tinker iCloud Keychain

Turn off iCloud Keychain across all your devices. Next, enable iCloud Keychain that has up-to-the-minute Keychain items. Activate iCloud Keychain on the other devices. This updates them with the new iCloud Keychain.

Part 3. Final Thoughts

In all, you’ve added more weapons into your bag of tricks to solve the unverified account name or password puzzle. Mac computers offer a workhorse for the workplace and quick fixes like the ones we dissected above prevent downtimes.

Don’t rack your brains in such a scenario with complicated steps, try a simple approach like resetting the Keychain first or rebooting. If the issue persists after all the above tips, consult Apple’s customer desk. They will guide you to create another Keychain and respond with a wealth of insights.

Finally, share with our readers any insider hacks, tricks and tips related to "unable to verify account name or password" in our comments section below. Our forum promotes a steady flow of ideas among Apple enthusiasts across the globe.