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Failed to Add Account Please Provide IMAP Server Information [Fixed]

  author
Leena Taylor Paul   
Updated: • Backup • 6 Min Read

Summary: The “Failed to Add Account Please Provide IMAP Server Information” error appears when the IMAP server address, port, or authentication type is missing or wrong. Use the server-settings table below to find the correct values for your provider, then re-enter them in Email Bakup Software.

  • Check the IMAP server address against the official list for your provider.
  • Use port 993 with SSL for almost every modern webmail account.
  • Enable app passwords if your provider requires them (Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook.com).
  • Confirm 2-step verification is set up before generating an app password.

What Causes This Error

The error appears when the software cannot reach the IMAP server with the supplied details. Several causes are possible. First, the server address may be wrong or misspelled. Next, the port may not match the security setting (SSL versus non-SSL). Finally, the password may be a regular password where an app password is required.

To add an email account in Email Bakup Software, you need four pieces of information: the email address, the account password, the IMAP server address (incoming server), and the IMAP port number. Common error messages tied to this issue include: unable to setup IMAP email account, could not add account, authentication failed when adding IMAP details, login to incoming server failed, and IMAP authentication failed.

Error Message: Failed to Add Account Please Provide IMAP Server Information

When You Add Email Account in 4n6 EmailBakup, you enter your email Address , Password. Under Advanced Settings , after you click on Find button you are prompted with following error :

“Failed to Add Account . Please provide IMAP Server Information”

This issue may arise, when you did not enter a valid email address ,  IMAP Server details are incorrect, Port is invalid or IMAP is not enabled in Gmail Account or  the software is unable to detect your email domain. To troubleshoot such issues , most commonly used & popular domains are already included in auto-recognition of IMAP Server with tool. If you are still getting an error follow methods mentioned in the workaround .

Workaround: How to Fix Failed to Add Account Please Provide IMAP Server Information

Follow the steps given below to find the best suitable solution for error “Failed to Add Account . Please Provide IMAP Server Information”

Note : If you are uncertain about your email provider Check your Email ID. For example : If your Email ID is abc @emaildomain.com , here “abc ” is your username & “emaildomain.com” is your email provider.

Solutions  :

Method 1 : Find Your Email Server Settings in Table

Select Your Email Domain from the IMAP Server list & use this table to find your email provider’s incoming Address :

Gmail Server

For Gmail accounts you also need an App Password. See how to backup Gmail account emails for the full workflow. If you also need to migrate that mailbox to PST after fixing the connection, see our IMAP to PST migration methods guide.

Gmail Server Address Authentication Port
IMAP Server Settings imap.gmail.com SSL 993
Note : Make sure that IMAP is enabled within Gmail Account Settings & Less Secure Apps is enabled

iCloud Server

iCloud Server Address Authentication Port
IMAP Server Settings imap.mail.me.com SSL 993

AOL.com Server

AOL.com Server Address Authentication Port
IMAP Server Settings imap.aol.com SSL 993

MSN Server

Gmail Server Address Authentication Port
IMAP Server Settings mail.outlook.com SSL 993

Outlook.com Server / Hotmail.com/Live.com

Outlook.com and Hotmail share the same IMAP settings. For the complete account backup workflow, see how to backup Outlook.com emails.

Outlook.com / Hotmail.com/Live.com Server Address Authentication Port
IMAP Server Settings imap-mail.outlook.com SSL 993

Office365.com Server

For Microsoft 365 mailboxes, you can also import PST files to Microsoft 365 after backup.

Office365.com Server Address Authentication Port
IMAP Server Settings outlook.office365.com SSL 993

Zoho Mail Server

Zoho Mail Server Address Authentication Port
IMAP Server Settings imap.zoho.com SSL 993

Yahoo Mail Plus Server

Yahoo Mail Plus Server Address Authentication Port
IMAP Server Settings plus.imap.mail.yahoo.com SSL 993

Yahoo Mail Server

Yahoo Mail Server Address Authentication Port
IMAP Server Settings imap.mail.yahoo.com SSL 993
Note : It is recommended that you use App-generated Password, if you have already enabled App Generated Password

iCloud Server

Verizon Server

Verizon Server Address Authentication Port
IMAP Server Settings incoming.verizon.net SSL 143

BT Connect Server

BT Connect Server Address Authentication Port
IMAP Server Settings imap4.btconnect.com SSL 143

1&1 Server

1&1 Server Address Authentication Port
IMAP Server Settings imap.1and1.com SSL 993

AT&T Server

AT&T Server Address Authentication Port
IMAP Server Settings imap.att.yahoo.com SSL 993

Mail.com Server

Mail.com Server Address Authentication Port
IMAP Server Settings imap.mail.com SSL 993

Method 2: Find Incoming Server Address Online

Follow the steps given below to find the Incoming Server Mail Address (IMAP Address) given below :

Go to https://imapsettings.com/

• Enter your Email Address as shown below:

• You will be able to find the incoming Server Settings here :

Finally, use & fill these details within software to add the email account & take backup successfully.

 

Common Errors and Fixes

  • “Authentication failed”: The password is a regular password, but the provider requires an app password. Generate one in your account security settings and use it instead.
  • “Could not connect with IMAP server”: The port number does not match SSL. Use 993 with SSL for almost every modern provider.
  • “Login to incoming server failed”: 2-step verification is on, but you typed your account password. Switch to an app password.
  • “Unable to setup IMAP email account”: The IMAP server address is misspelled. Copy the value directly from the table above.
  • Server settings not in the table above: Search “your provider name IMAP settings” online, or contact your email host.

FAQ

Why does Gmail need an app password instead of my regular password?

Gmail blocks regular-password logins from third-party apps when 2-step verification is on. An app password is a 16-character code that bypasses that block. Generate one at myaccount.google.com under Security > App passwords.

What is the correct IMAP port?

Use 993 with SSL for almost every modern provider. Some legacy hosts use 143 without SSL, but you should avoid that for security reasons.

Can I back up emails without finding the IMAP server first?

Yes. For Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook.com, and Microsoft 365, Email Bakup Software auto-detects the server. The error in this guide applies when auto-detect fails or you use a less common provider.

What if my provider is not in the table?

Search the provider’s support pages for “IMAP settings” or use a public IMAP server directory. Once you have the server address and port, enter them in the Advanced Settings panel.

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