Troubleshooting Nodemailer with Gmail: Authentication Issues

Other Questions Gmail
1

I’m having trouble with Nodemailer and Gmail. Here’s my code:

const express = require('express');
const mailer = require('nodemailer');

const app = express();

app.get('/', (req, res) => {
  const sender = mailer.createTransport({
    service: 'gmail',
    auth: {
      user: '[email protected]',
      pass: 'secretpassword'
    }
  });

  const email = {
    from: 'John Doe <[email protected]>',
    to: '[email protected]',
    subject: 'Test Email',
    text: 'This is a test email',
    html: '<p>This is a <b>test</b> email</p>'
  };

  sender.sendMail(email, (err, info) => {
    if (err) {
      console.error(err);
      res.status(500).send('Error sending email');
    } else {
      console.log('Email sent:', info.response);
      res.send('Email sent successfully');
    }
  });
});

app.listen(3000, () => console.log('Server running on port 3000'));

When I run this, I get an authentication error. The message suggests logging in through a web browser first. I’ve double-checked my email and password. Are there any Gmail settings I need to change? How can I fix this issue?

2

I ran into this exact issue a while back. Here’s what worked for me:

First, enable two-factor authentication on your Google account if you haven’t already. Then, generate an app-specific password for your application. This bypasses the need for less secure app access.

In your code, replace ‘secretpassword’ with the app-specific password. Also, consider using environment variables to store sensitive info like passwords instead of hardcoding them.

One more thing - I’d suggest using a more robust error handling approach. Maybe implement a retry mechanism or queue system for failed emails. This has saved me countless headaches when dealing with temporary network issues or service disruptions.

Lastly, keep an eye on your daily sending limits with Gmail. If you’re sending a high volume of emails, you might want to look into a dedicated email service provider as others have mentioned.

3

I encountered a similar issue when setting up Nodemailer with Gmail. The problem likely stems from Google’s security measures for less secure apps. To resolve this, you’ll need to enable ‘Allow less secure apps’ in your Google account settings or use OAuth2 authentication.

However, I’d strongly recommend using OAuth2 instead of your Gmail password. It’s more secure and aligns with Google’s best practices. You’ll need to set up OAuth2 credentials in the Google Cloud Console, then modify your Nodemailer configuration to use these credentials.

Additionally, make sure you’re using the latest version of Nodemailer, as older versions may have compatibility issues with Gmail’s current security protocols. If you continue to face problems, consider using a dedicated email service provider like SendGrid or Mailgun, which often provide more reliable email sending capabilities for applications.

4

hey, i had the same problem. try using an app password instead of ur regular gmail password. go to ur google account settings, find ‘app passwords’ and generate one for ur app. replace ‘secretpassword’ with that. should work then :slight_smile: good luck!