Cannot add Google account

Question

dhc2002 Author

Level 1

9 points

Cannot add Google account

When I try to add a Google account, I successfully complete the 2-factor authentication, and then it gives me a list of services to use with this account:

No matter which ones I check or leave un-checked, when I click "Done," nothing happens. The "Done" button becomes greyed out, but the box doesn't ever disappear. I can then un-check items and the "Done" button becomes available again.

Thanks in advance for your ideas.

MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2015), OS X El Capitan (10.11.5)

Posted on May 31, 2016 10:26 AM

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Answer 1

Rysz

Level 8

44,455 points

May 31, 2016 10:30 AM in response to dhc2002

All you might need to do is to restart your computer.

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Answer 2

dhc2002 Author

Level 1

9 points

May 31, 2016 10:32 AM in response to Rysz

I wish. I've restarted several times while trying different things to fix this.

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Answer 3

May 31, 2016 11:17 AM in response to dhc2002

Are you sure the 2 factor verified correctly? Go to the gmail site and open your account. Look through the security info and make sure you aren't blocked out.

Try disabling the 2 factor authentication and remove the account from internet accounts. Then try to re-add the account without 2 factor.

You can create a test user account. Log into the test user account and try adding the account there. That will tell us if the problem lies within your user account.

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Answer 4

dhc2002 Author

Level 1

9 points

May 31, 2016 12:41 PM in response to Glenn Leblanc

The problem is indeed with the account.

I believe two-factor auth was working, because it proceeded to the "choose services" screen. To be sure, I disabled 2FA with that account and the same problem occurs. It doesn't ask for my 2FA information, but it asks for email address, then password, then asks which services I'd like to use. Then, when I click Done, nothing happens.

I can add other Google accounts without issue (something I didn't realize before you prompted me; thank you).

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Answer 5

dhc2002 Author

Level 1

9 points

May 31, 2016 12:44 PM in response to Glenn Leblanc

And just to be clear, there is no Google account currently included in internet accounts.

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Answer 6

May 31, 2016 12:51 PM in response to dhc2002

I meant a new test user account on the computer (Users & Groups) to see if there was a problem in your user account. If the same problem occurs in a test user, then you may need to reinstall the OS.

You said you can add other google accounts? I don't see any in the list. Are you having trouble with the iCloud account also? Do you have any working internet accounts?

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Answer 7

dhc2002 Author

Level 1

9 points

May 31, 2016 1:31 PM in response to Glenn Leblanc

Using a new OSX user account worked. Hmm. Off to reinstate all of my settings and delete the old user account.

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Answer 8

May 31, 2016 2:27 PM in response to dhc2002

OK. Does that mean you are going to stay with the new user account and not try to fix the old one? That's up to you. If you wish to continue with the old account, please specify and you can log back to the old account and we can continue.

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Answer 9

dhc2002 Author

Level 1

9 points

May 31, 2016 2:30 PM in response to Glenn Leblanc

I could go either way. I'm comfortable with the command line. What's the next move if I stay with the old account?

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Answer 10

May 31, 2016 2:53 PM in response to dhc2002

It would be a process of finding the corrupt .plist file. Since we are dealing with the Internet Account pane, it could be specific to that, System Preferences, or possibly with Mail.

It appears the iCloud pane isn't working either since it shows greyed instead of blue checkboxes. Are any other services working such as reminders, iCloud contacts, etc?

Are you having any other problems with other System Preferences panes other than Internet Accounts? If not, navigate to your user library to:

~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.internetaccounts.plist

Move the com.apple.internetaccounts.plist to the trash. Restart the computer and test. If problems occur, you can put the file back.

If you are having problems with other System Preference panes, or if the first doesn't work, repeat the process with this file:

~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.systempreferences.plist

If neither of the above don't work, you can either put those files back, or you can re-create your preferences to those panes you created.

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