Level 1

22 points

Unable to verify account name or password in Mail OSX Sierra

It started happening when trying to install a new email account on various Macs to in iPads.

I keep getting the same message again and again: "unable to verify account name or password".

on MAcbook Pro Retina 2012 and iMac 27" 2011.

It is a godaddy account I am trying to get to work and webmail works fine, plus it works fine on one Macbook and 2 iPads. It is a bug I assume, since I find others reporting on it over a few years now. But no real solution offered that worked, tried most of them.

It appeared also on the Macbook on which the email account works but all of a sudden the error message was gone.

Apple is there a resolution for this issue ? I assume it has something to do with the cumbersome Keychain

application but I do not want to reset the Keychain. Please help thanks

iMac (27-inch Mid 2011), macOS Sierra (10.12.6)

Posted on Sep 4, 2017 11:03 PM

Top-ranking reply

Eric Root

Level 10

685,293 points

Posted on Sep 6, 2017 10:52 AM

Do a backup, using either Time Machine or a cloning program, to ensure files/data can be recovered. Two backups are better than one.

Try setting up another admin user account to see if the same problem continues. If Back-to-My Mac is selected in System Preferences, the Guest account will not work. The intent is to see if it is specific to one account or a system wide problem. This account can be deleted later.

Isolating an issue by using another user account

If the problem is still there, try booting into the Safe Mode using your normal account. Disconnect all peripherals except those needed for the test. Shut down the computer and then power it back up after waiting 10 seconds. Immediately after hearing the startup chime, hold down the shift key and continue to hold it until the gray Apple icon and a progress bar appear. The boot up is significantly slower than normal. This will reset some caches, forces a directory check, and disables all startup and login items, among other things. When you reboot normally, the initial reboot may be slower than normal. If the system operates normally, there may be 3rd party applications which are causing a problem. Try deleting/disabling the third party applications after a restart by using the application un-installer or by using the developer’s uninstall instructions. For each disable/delete, you will need to restart if you don't do them all at once.

Safe Mode - About El Capitan
also Sierra

Safe Mode Startup – El Capitan. also Sierra

If it works in the Safe Mode, try running this program when booted normally and then copy and paste the output in a reply. The program was created by Etresoft, a frequent contributor. Please use copy and paste as screen shots can be hard to read. On the screen with Options, please open Options and check the bottom 2 boxes before running. Click “Share Report” button in the toolbar, select “Copy to Clipboard” and then paste into a reply. This will show what is running on your computer. No personal information is shown.

Etrecheck – System Information

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23 replies

nlesh Author

Level 1

22 points

Sep 5, 2017 11:32 PM in response to Eric Root

Hi Eric,

Thanks, yes I did no effect.

nlesh Author

Level 1

22 points

Sep 6, 2017 3:38 AM in response to tygb

Thank you but I am afraid not applicable or did not solve problem

nlesh Author

Level 1

22 points

Sep 7, 2017 9:22 AM in response to tygb

This would mean I would lose all my saved login details for accounts, sites etc correct? I need to prepare for this before doing so.

tygb

Level 9

65,010 points

Sep 10, 2017 5:09 AM in response to nlesh

I asked about 4 digit I cloud verification code , you didn't answered whether you have in your records , please don't mix up two Macs , you must consult apple support .

nlesh Author

Level 1

22 points

Sep 10, 2017 6:46 AM in response to tygb

thank you now worries, but I am afraid it is the first time I hear about the 4 digit code sorry

tygb

Level 9

65,010 points

Sep 10, 2017 6:55 AM in response to nlesh

Security code is 4 digit , how to explain 🙂

Try to consult in apple support , read as much as the articles .

tygb

Level 9

65,010 points

Sep 7, 2017 11:24 PM in response to nlesh

No , your login password , wireless network password or base station password , iCloud password , Apple ID password are saved in user library macOS Sierra: Library folder in keychain folder and not in caches , cookies folder .

You have to manually write down login details for sites or must have written previously , try the method as deleting the caches and cookies folder to the desktop , restarting the machine and opening safari will create new folders after few minutes .

If you are in doubts , before applying please consult apple support and some times its best to create a new keychain , open keychain access via spotlight , press command comma to open its preferences , click on reset my default keychain , the old keychain will be deactivated and moved aside and new keychain will be created .

You have to enter in system preferences > click on internet accounts select the web mail account , enter the mail address and password , same with iCloud account .

Then click on iCloud , you will see keychain box is unchecked , check the box and be patient , a pop - up will appear to enter 4 digit iCloud verification ( constant for a user ) an sms will come on your mobile after few min that would be 6 digit .

Enter the credentials , the keychain box will be checked .

If you are using air port express , open airport express via spotlight , click on base station , then again click on edit , enter your wireless network password or base station password ( generally both are kept as same ) .

For security reason the wireless network should always must be saved in airport express .

nlesh Author

Level 1

22 points

Sep 10, 2017 1:58 AM in response to tygb

Thank you again much appreciated. I reset the keychain password on the Macbook Pro.

However when I restarted the Macbook Pro, I again got the request for the keychain password "ffmd (not sure this is correct name) wants to use the "login" keychain" and only the old password worked not the new one ! I restarted again , and again got the request for the keychain password this time "accountsd this timewants to use the "login" keychain" and now the new password did work. Anyway the old problem is still there, passwords for email accounts are not accepted: "Unable to verify account name or password". I noticed that in iCloud the keychain under Systems preferences is not selected on Macbook Pro but it is on the iMac with the same iCloud account. When I do exactly what you wrote: "You have to enter in system preferences > click on internet accounts select the web mail account , enter the mail address and password , same with iCloud account ." The first non-iCloud email account password I type in get the same warning again and nothing changes. What should I do now ? Select keychain in iCloud on iMac ? will it then sync with keychain iMac ? can both computers become screwed up ? i.e. Macbook email accounts are same as on iMac except that on the iMac all but 2 work and on Macbook Pro many more do not work. I am getting at a loss now how to fix this problem. I changed the password of 1 account once again through the providers site (Godaddy) and tested login again through webmail. works fine, and then tested in Mail Sierra on the iMac and macbook pro. Same problem still. I have now removed all password entries old and new I could see for this one email account in keychain and set up new email account for this email address in Mail on the iMac, now it appears it accepted it even though I kept getting the warnings/error in red that it could not verify account and/or password ! Now I will need to see whether I get this to work on Macbook Pro for this one account. Just tried that does not work on the Macbook pro but the keychain has not been selected in iCloud.

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Unable to verify account name or password in Mail OSX Sierra