Google Error Messages

Error: Unable to access Google Calendar

"Unable to access Google Calendar. Please create a record in Google Calendar first, then try again."

Google shut off access to Calendar v1 and v2 on November 17, 2014. They are requiring use of their newer Calendar API v3. For more information please visit Google Calendar Sync v3 Update for v2 End of Life.

If the error still appears after creating a record in Google calendar AND you are attempting to sync with a shared Google calendar:

The calendar owner (the person that shared the calendar with you) must give you appropriate permission for syncing. To check this, the calendar owner must do the following:

1. Log into your Google account.
2. Click the gear icon in the upper-right and choose Calendar Settings.
3. In the Calendar Settings screen, click Calendars.
4. Find the shared calendar in your calendars list, then click Shared: Edit settings
5. Under Permission Settings, make sure that See only free/busy (hide details) in NOT selected.
6. Under Make changes AND manage sharing, make sure that See only free/busy (hide details) in NOT selected.

NOTE: Alternatively, you can just deselect the calendar in CompanionLink's Google Settings screen, so that it is not included in the synchronization.

If the error still appears after going through the steps above, do the following:

1. Visit the following webpage in your browser: https://www.google.com/accounts/DisplayUnlockCaptcha
2. Enter your Google email address and password (same as the email and password you entered in CompanionLink), then solve the Captcha and unlock.
3. Reattempt a synchronization.

June/July 2014 Updates

403 Error

• Error: Unable to connect to server, Google 403 error.
• Scope: Affects people using CompanionLink to sync to Google, Gmail, or Google Apps.
• Problem: Error refers to a recent change by Google's authentication system.
• Solution: Download a free update for your version of CompanionLink 6 or CompanionLink 5. If you have an older version of CompanionLink, you can check if you qualify for a free upgrade.

CompanionLink 6.0

CompanionLink 5.0

Sync Process Hangs (Updated June 20, 2014)

• Problem: Google has changed their XML coding schema in recent days. This affects Contacts Sync from PC to Google. The most common symptom is that the sync will stop at a particular contact record.
• Scope: Affects people using CompanionLink to sync to Google Contacts.
• Solution: We have fixed CompanionLink for this issue at this time. However, it may be the case that Google is making further changes and there may be a need for further updates. We offer the following updates without charge; please download the same version as you are currently using:

CompanionLink 6.0

CompanionLink 5.0

We apologize for any inconvenience this change by Google may cause.

Error 403: Bad Login/Password

When CompanionLink attempts to access your Google account if the information does not match an active Google account you may receive an error message mentioning a Bad Login/Password.

1. In your web browsers, go to https://www.google.com/ and in the upper right hand corner of the screen, click on Log Out. Then press Log In and make sure that the log in that you are entering in CompanionLink works in this browser.
2. In CompanionLink, make sure your using the full Gmail address, exactly as you do with Google. For example, use "bob@gmail.com" not "bob"
3. In CompanionLink Setup, turn off sync to any public calendars (weather.com, US holidays, etc.) as they may use different log in names and passwords.
4. Try turning off any firewall or antivirus, or configure your firewall to allow companionlink.exe access to secure sites.
5. If you're using a proxy setting; check your proxy info to make sure it is correct

Error 403: Generated by Phishing-Warning-Site.com

Occasionally the Google filter or cookies present can prevent CompanionLink from being able to access your Google account.

1. Open https://www.google.com. In the upper right hand corner, click on Settings, then Search Settings. Change the option for Safe Search filtering to: Do Not Filter. Save the settings and exit.
2. Clear Internet Explorer cookies as well as Firefox if you have Firefox installed

Error 403: Cannot request contacts belonging to another user

When attempting to sync if the wrong account information is entered you may receive an error mentioning you cannot request contacts belonging to another user.

1. Log in to Google contacts at: www.google.com/contacts
2. Note the email address shown in the top right hand corner
3. Make sure that this is the same email address being used in CompanionLink Setup

Error 400: extended property XML message

The 400 error message has been resolved in a recent version of CompanionLink. It is due to a mismatch between some of the extended properties in some/all of your records and what Google expects. Please visit our software updates page and download the latest build of CompanionLink.

Error 502

This error populates when there is a conflict with a public calendar shared with your account.

1. In CompanionLink Setup, turn off sync to any public calendars (weather.com, US holidays, etc.) as they may use different log in names and passwords.
2. Try turning off any firewall or antivirus, or configure your firewall to allow companionlink.exe access to secure sites.
3. If you're using a proxy setting; check your proxy info to make sure it is correct

Error 503

This message means Google is in the process of performing server maintenance and may be unavailable.

1. Apparently Google is doing some server maintenance. Some people report it starts working after an hour or two.
2. Please try again later.

Error: Please specify your Google password

This error populates when Google needs to verify your Password.

1. Please open a web browser on your PC and log out and back into your 'Gmail Account'
2. This will verify that your 'Password' is valid
3. Clear both the 'Email Address' & 'Password' fields and then reenter your log in information

If you are still unable to get past this message please follow the link below https://www.companionlink.com/support/kb/Information_about_Google_2-step_password_verification