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Cannot get outgoing mail to send.

  • 13 replies
  • 0 have this problem
  • 53 views
  • Last reply by prberndt

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I use Mozilla for incoming mail, but cannot get it to send mail out. I get an error message to check my SMTP settings, which I have done repeatedly, and it doesn't fix the problem. I use those same settings to send my mail OUT with webmail (which is inconvenient to have to switch all the time), so I know the settings are correct. Can you help me understand why my outgoing mail won't work even when I verify that the settings are correct.

I use Mozilla for incoming mail, but cannot get it to send mail out. I get an error message to check my SMTP settings, which I have done repeatedly, and it doesn't fix the problem. I use those same settings to send my mail OUT with webmail (which is inconvenient to have to switch all the time), so I know the settings are correct. Can you help me understand why my outgoing mail won't work even when I verify that the settings are correct.

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Okay! Yay!!! I got it to work. I tried some of those troubleshooting options inside ESET, but couldn't make them work as all the options/settings were different than these websites had..... SO, I remembered you said this: "Although usually port 587 uses STARTTLS - this user said they had selected 'SSL/TLS'" -- and I thought, I can try that. I know how to do that. Lol. So I went in and changed it from STARTTLS to SSL/TLS, and voila!!!! It WORKED!! I had to re-enter my password before it would send out, but it took the password and sent the email! Yay!! Thanks so much!! So instead of the TWO changes, I just had to change it to mobile.net but leave that other setting as it was. Thank you so much! I appreciate your patience!!! God bless!

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please post screenshot of your SMTP server pane setup and the complete error message,

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I've posted them below. I hope that's what you wanted....

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try changing to mobile.charter.net

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Umm, I don't know how to do that. I am a complete IT illiterate... :-/ Do you mean in my email address? Like, prberndt@mobile.charter.net?

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No In 'Outgoing Server (SMTP) Select the charter smtp server Click on 'Edit'

Server name: mobile.charter.net edit to correct - I think you may have it set to mobile.charter.com and it should be .net

Connection Security: STARTTLS Usually if port 587 is being used then Connection Security is STARTTLS

Then click on 'OK'

Modified by Toad-Hall

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Okay, I did those two things. (Thank you!) I closed Mozilla, restarted my laptop, and tried to send. It kept trying to send, but wasn't able to. Finally I got this error message:

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I tried several times, kept getting the same message.

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Can you post the current SMTP server settings again because they will have changed since last image.

Please check the following: Exit Thunderbird Access Firewall - this may be the default on the computer or your installed Anti-Virus program may control it. Set up Thunderbird program (thunderbird.exe) as an allowed program. Not sure what AV you use, but the image below is for Norton.

Confirm you have set up Thunderbird program as allowed - this makes sure the Firewall is not blocking access.

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Before I try that, we have ESET - would ESET also block incoming mail? As that is not a problem.

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Okay, it's Monday morning, and I disabled the firewall protection (ESET) and tried sending out an email, and got the same error report as above - the sending attempt timed out. 🤷‍♀️

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I've been double checking smtp server settings:

  • Description: Server Name: mobile.charter.net
  • Port: 587
  • Connection Security: SSL/TLS
  • Authentication method: Normal password
  • User Name: full email address

It is important to use the FULL email address as the User Name Although usually port 587 uses STARTTLS - this user said they had selected 'SSL/TLS'


Please note if you disable ESET then it more than likely the default one on computer would then be controlling the Firewall.

Please make Thunderbird program as an allowed program in ESET Firewall. Then we can definity know the Firewall is not blocking anything.

The other method of ensuring nothing is interfering is to Exit all programs and restart computer in 'Safe Mode with Networking' - if you normally access hub/router via wifi then you will need to connect computer to hub using an ethernet cable. Then start Thuderbird - allow synchronising/download then attempt to send an email. If is ok then it's likely ESET is the problem.

I did find this info regarding receiving ok but cannot send. In Email Integration they are talking about Outlook but it would be the same just Thunderbird. https://support.eset.com/en/kb3314-resolve-ms-outlook-email-errors-using-eset-windows-home-products

More info: https://support.eset.com/en/kb2252-email-functionality-issues-with-eset-smart-security-solution-checklist

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Okay.... I will try to process and do what you've said above. It's very much like Greek to me..... I will say that I haven't been able to use Outlook - my original email program - for about the same length of time as Mozilla outgoing hasn't worked. I can't even get incoming on Outlook, much less send something out. It's been very frustrating, as I get incoming now on Mozilla, but anytime I want to send out I have to get online and use Spectrum webmail. Which is rather clumsy and inconvenient... :-/ I will have to "gird up the loins of my mind" (to use an archaic Biblical expression LOL) to handle your last set of instructions. (I have tried to find out what ESET is doing, and can't even find the list of programs it's blocking or allowing... 😕😳. That's why I've been slow to do that.... ) Anyway, thanks for all your input.

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Chosen Solution

Okay! Yay!!! I got it to work. I tried some of those troubleshooting options inside ESET, but couldn't make them work as all the options/settings were different than these websites had..... SO, I remembered you said this: "Although usually port 587 uses STARTTLS - this user said they had selected 'SSL/TLS'" -- and I thought, I can try that. I know how to do that. Lol. So I went in and changed it from STARTTLS to SSL/TLS, and voila!!!! It WORKED!! I had to re-enter my password before it would send out, but it took the password and sent the email! Yay!! Thanks so much!! So instead of the TWO changes, I just had to change it to mobile.net but leave that other setting as it was. Thank you so much! I appreciate your patience!!! God bless!

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