Unable to verify user name or password error

I have been unable to receive or send emails using one of my Comcast/Xfinity email addresses in Mac Mail for nearly a month (using a Macbook Air, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPad 4th generation). All devices are up to date.


I have tried everything but am still receiving an "Unable to verify user name or password" error message. I am obviously not adept at understanding the relationship between Mac Mail and my Comcast/Xfinity email accounts, but I have attempted to change the password and server settings in both email accounts and checked all of the recommended boxes to no avail. I am beyond frustrated at this point! Is there a fix for this? And if I delete the email account and attempt to reinstall it, will I lose all of the emails in that account? Thanks for any help you can offer!!!

MacBook Air, macOS 15.5

Posted on Jul 8, 2025 03:34 PM

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3 replies

Jul 8, 2025 03:51 PM in response to Pattiedawn

Pattiedawn wrote:

I have been unable to receive or send emails using one of my Comcast/Xfinity email addresses in Mac Mail for nearly a month (using a Macbook Air, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPad 4th generation). All devices are up to date.

I have tried everything but am still receiving an "Unable to verify user name or password" error message. I am obviously not adept at understanding the relationship between Mac Mail and my Comcast/Xfinity email accounts, but I have attempted to change the password and server settings in both email accounts and checked all of the recommended boxes to no avail. I am beyond frustrated at this point! Is there a fix for this? And if I delete the email account and attempt to reinstall it, will I lose all of the emails in that account? Thanks for any help you can offer!!!

Yes if you remove the account it will remove the data of your MAC, but will reinstall when you re-add the account.

Are you using 2 factor authentication? If not, that could be one of the issue.

Have you reach out to Comcast support or look at their help site/forum?

Jul 9, 2025 02:13 PM in response to razmee209

Yes, I am using two-factor authentication. And, no, Comcast/Xfinity has been of little help. A representative from the escalated complaint department called me back today and had me remove BOTH of my comcast email accounts and then re-create them using separate passwords. So, now I have to log into Xfinity twice to see my emails. I'm far from a tech genius, but that doesn't sound right to me since I could previously view both email accounts by logging into Xfinity?!? He also told me not to access Mac Mail for 24 hours (because of a "lag time", and to thereafter change my passwords in Mac Mail to fix the problems. The "lag time" part doesn't make sense to me either, but I suppose I will try anything at this point🤞🏻

Jul 9, 2025 02:32 PM in response to Pattiedawn

Pattiedawn wrote:

Yes, I am using two-factor authentication. And, no, Comcast/Xfinity has been of little help. A representative from the escalated complaint department called me back today and had me remove BOTH of my comcast email accounts and then re-create them using separate passwords. So, now I have to log into Xfinity twice to see my emails. I'm far from a tech genius, but that doesn't sound right to me since I could previously view both email accounts by logging into Xfinity?!? He also told me not to access Mac Mail for 24 hours (because of a "lag time", and to thereafter change my passwords in Mac Mail to fix the problems. The "lag time" part doesn't make sense to me either, but I suppose I will try anything at this point🤞🏻

I've read in other post and I don't remember the exact steps or settings, but they mention logging onto their account on web browser - settings - security and made changes there or added their devices.

Give that a shot.

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Unable to verify user name or password error

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