Mail keeps asking for my password but the password is correct

Mail Help Yahoo!

One possibility is that your account has been hacked, and the hackers have changed the password. One reason that they might have changed the password is if they were able to get access by requesting a password reset.

If you're able to connect via Yahoo's web site, but not via Mail, it could be that you have Mail misconfigured. Check to see if you're using the current server settings. If you are, this problem can happen under certain circumstances when Mail has trouble connecting to the server, as that situation can mimic certain password failure situations.

If you have to enter the password each time, but only the first time you open Mail, you may have a problem with the keychain (which stores passwords). Open Keychain Access (in the /Applications/Utilities folder) and delete the password for that account, then let Mail store it in the keychain again.

Your problem sounds similar to the problem I am having (as described in thread: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3874621). Essentially, what I discovered is that there appears to be a bug in the way Mail interacts with keychain. This problem can manifest itself if, for instance, you copy an old keychain over to a new computer and the default login keychain and the old keychain have the same email account stored. I've found that even deleting the email account from the old keychain does not resolve the problem. I have diagnosed this down to what is clearly a bug - either in Mail (I suspect it is mail) or keychain. On my system, the Mail/Keychain bug prevents me from saving a password into Mail settings. Mail seems to magically delete a previously entered password despite repeatedly entering it over and over again. Not until I remove the old keychain does the problem go away. I filed a bug report in mid Dec 2012 with Apple but as far as I can tell, nothing has been done yet - still early yet.

If you open Keychain Access, under the Keychain Access menu there is an option for Keychain First Aid, which you could try.

Thanks for the suggestions Eric, but I mention in the previous thread that all keychains were verified with first aid and it reports no problems. It really appears that there is a bug in the way Apple has implemented the Mail/keychain interface.

JenL - thanks for the tip - I don't use messages (have never opened it on my mac) but I will try your suggestion. I suppose it's possible that not initializing data there could be causing a problem? I would still classify this as a bug though.

BTW - has anyone else noticed that there iCloud smtp server setting is missing in the mail app too? It's really strange because it shows up as "iCloud" in the outgoing mail server setting on the "Account Information" tab but when I select "Edit SMTP Server List ..." from the list, it's not in the edit pane. Very strange ...

FYI - this is all on a fresh install of Mountain Lion. I can get things working but I have to continually add and delete keychain references which is annoying.

BTW - has anyone else noticed that there iCloud smtp server setting is missing in the mail app too? It's really strange because it shows up as "iCloud" in the outgoing mail server setting on the "Account Information" tab but when I select "Edit SMTP Server List ..." from the list, it's not in the edit pane. Very strange ...

Mine is the same. When I select edit it gives me the option for my other 3 Mail accounts. Maybe the logic is "Why Have it There."

Update: someone at apple contacted me (through the bug report tool as a consequence of my bug report on the issue I am having) and requested that I run the sysdiagnose command on Mail while it was experiencing the problem. I have uploaded that report to them. Will keep you posted.

I have simular Issue on my Mac Book Pro Retina OSX 10.8.2 NO UPGRADES new out of the box had it for over a month. Mail Pop's up every so Often asking for password. I Have run the first aid on the Keychain and it's comes back Fine I figured it would. Since here is the FUNNY PART. When it propts for the password my current password is already their as **************** So I just Click OK and it does it's thing.

To Run Keychain

from Search: type Keychain then click on Keychain Access then from Keychain Access Menu select Keychain First Aid and select repair and enter your password.

I Suspect it's some time out setting if their is no reponce from mail server the mail app assumes it's a password issue. I know at one time you had to have a premium account to POP or IMAP your yahoo account. But with the wave of smartphones i.e. anddroid and iphone generation.

Also checking Yahoo site only

II. Examine the configuration of your security software

Sometimes, a piece of software security (anti-virus, firewall, or anti-spy) on your PC, a piece of networking equipment (router, bridge, or firewall), or your Internet service provider (ISP) may be blocking access to the Yahoo! Mail POP and/or SMTP servers.

Any failure to connect to the Yahoo! POP or SMTP server would normally indicate a network issue.

Try temporarily disabling any security software (such as anti-virus, firewall, or anti-spy) you have installed, as some software security products will actually block the Yahoo! POP or SMTP server or ports. If you are unfamiliar with how to do this, please consult with the software vendor's online help or contact their support services directly.

If you have any network equipment (such as a router, bridge, or hardware firewall), check to see if it is blocking the Yahoo! POP and SMTP servers or ports. If you are unfamiliar with how to do this, please consult the product documentation or the manufacturer's support services directly.

You may also contact your ISP for assistance. Ask if the modem (if provided by your ISP) or software you are using has a firewall feature. It is also possible that the ISP has certain ports blocked on their end.

I have Symantec EndPoint on my mac and the firewall is OFF so that is not the issue. Mostlikely the issue has to do with the Mail App and it's a text file were the time out or some paramater needs to be updated.