Is Outlook, or Windows Live Mail asking for your password?

This happens on occasion.  You have been using Outlook for years with no trouble and, suddenly, one day, it asks for your password. Because Outlook stored your password way back when you set it up you may not even remember that you had a password.  Or you may remember your password but typing it in doesn't make it stop asking.


Don't worry.  Most likely the password isn't needed.  When Outlook or Windows Live goes to check for new email, and it can't contact your provider's server, it pops up asking you to put in your email password.  If you haven't changed this recently that isn't the problem.  The confusion comes from the fact that it will pop up regardless of the problem.  Even if the problem is that your computer isn't connected to the internet.


Here are the steps to troubleshoot:


1)  If it's been a while just restart the computer and see if that takes care of the problem.
2)  Check to see if you are on the internet by going to a webpage.
3)  Go to your email provider's website and try to log in there.  If you can, you know the password is            good.
4)  If the above worked but you still can't use Outlook it is probably a problem with your provider's         
     server.  Wait up to an hour and try again.
5)  Still doesn't work?  Contact your provider to see if they have changed any of the connection 
     settings,or call us to help.