SMTP server settings will not save in Apple Mail for Monterey

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Level 1

11 points

SMTP server settings will not save in Apple Mail for Monterey

This is so annoying that it's been carrying on for quite some time through several OSX upgrades... my SMTP server settings will not stay selected in Apple Mail for Monterey. Actually the server definitions and login info will save, but each SMTP server setting will not stay selected in my settings. This includes apple, google, yahoo and spectrum. I generally use spectrum, but it will cease to function intermittently like once a month or so. Several OS upgrades ago I completely removed all mail settings and started from scratch. This obviously did not fix the problem. I even went so far as to remove all saved account info in my keychain. Still no go, but I'm about to attempt this all over again. I figure I'd put this out there first to see if there is a solution. I did see another thread on this and every reply pointed fingers to user error and/or suggested to contact the email provider. I have contacted spectrum on the issue as to why my connection to their SMTP server intermittently drops and it was a waste of time. All they wanted to do was have me check my login credentials through the browser and also if I entered the correct server info. This is the very first thing I attempted on my own.

I just now decided to check my SMTP server settings and spectrum is now connected. All my other accounts all show as NONE for SMTP server. What gives?

I would also like to add that I use Thunderbird as well for my security cam captures. I have STMP server set up for spectrum in Thunderbird and it works just fine... unless I have apple mail running at the same time I attempt to forward a message from Thunderbird. It is extremely rare that I will send any mail from Thunderbird. I just attempted it and I got the following message:

Sending of the message failed.

An error occurred while sending mail: Outgoing server (SMTP) error. The server responded: p-impout005.msg.pkvw.co.charter.net cmsmtp too many sessions from 174..... AUP#Out-1360.

MacBook Pro 15″

Posted on Dec 24, 2022 7:43 AM

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Answer 1

Big 'G' Author

Level 1

11 points

Dec 26, 2022 4:43 PM in response to AnnieL2

First off... thank you AnnieL2 for replying. Secondly, I never once mentioned that the SMTP server settings are missing... they are there, but "will not stay selected". To answer your questions though, yes I am able to select the correct server as they are still listed as originally created. I am 100% positive my settings are correct. As of right now the SMTP server settings are all connecting (and staying selected) and functioning just fine, but how long will this last. Not very long. As I mentioned this is all intermittent and something is causing the smtp servers to deselect.

Below is the only useful info that I can get from the Connection Doctor log file that I saved when I am having issues.

"Client host rejected: Access denied"

This is a response from the spectrum mail server in which I relayed to spectrum support and got nowhere. Kinda like where I am now. I should note that most outgoing SMTP mail servers do not require separate login credentials to send email and spectrum does not.

The only other error that I can recall seeing in Connection Doctor is the usual text book response "the server rejected your login... please check your login credentials and server settings such as SSL... please verify and try again and or check with your service provider". Something of that nature.

I am almost positive that the spectrum SMTP connection issue is on spectrum's mail server. It most likely involves some policy setting or restriction on the mail server that is preventing me from sending too much mail. It is probably being flagged as spam coming from my IP address since I have five security cams that are using one email account to send photo captions to a different email account on the same server. I have had this exact same set-up for nearly 10 years now. I was once told by a spectrum support person that this should not be an issue so long as the number emails sent stays under their max threshold per day or per hour. Not sure which one it was.

All the above discussion only pertains to one of my SMTP server issues mentioned in my first posting. The main issue I am having is the SMTP server settings are not staying selected in Apple Mail. As I mentioned above they are all working as of right this second, but this will not continue for long.

Since my spectrum SMTP server issue is also intermittent (sometimes it works... sometimes it don't) I am now going to assume that the problem is the way I have my security cam captures set up to send email to myself. In an attempt to resolve my own issue here I am going to modify each SMTP server setting in my security cams to send email using a different email server. I will post an update here if my resolution seems to correct this issue, but this will take some time.

Still, this will not resolve my issue with the SMTP servers not staying selected. I am really trying to resolve two issues here. There is no way I can be the only Mac user in this world to have this problem.

Thanks in advance!

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Answer 2

Lindsay_B.

Community Specialist

Dec 26, 2022 5:07 PM in response to Big 'G'

We appreciate all of that information and clarification.

Issues specific to Spectrum and their servers would be best handled directly by Spectrum, as they will be the most knowledgeable on their network and services. That said, we of course want to make sure that your Mac and the Mail app are both working as they should in relation to your email, so we would recommend seeing if the issue you are experiencing continues in a new user account: Add a user or group on Mac - Apple Support

Setting up a new user account and only adding your affected email account(s) will help us isolate the issue from a potential interference with your user account settings and data to the Mail app or macOS software. Please try that next, and if the issue(s) persist speaking with Apple Support directly would be our recommendation. They will have additional tools and resources available to further assist with the SMTP issues you are experiencing: Get Support.

Have a wonderful day.

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Answer 3

AnnieL2

Community Specialist

Dec 26, 2022 2:20 PM in response to Big 'G'

Good day to you Big 'G',

When you say that the SMTP server is missing from the Mail app, when you go in and look at the settings, are you able to select the correct server or is there nothing to select from? At the time, are you able to run Connection Doctor and check for errors? Use Connection Doctor in Mail on Mac

1. In the Mail app on your Mac, choose Window > Connection Doctor.

2. Review the status information.

If you’re connected to the internet, there may be a problem with the account’s mail servers or your account setup. Follow the instructions shown in the Details column. To quickly display the account in Accounts settings in Mail, double-click the text in the Details column.

To show log information while Mail tries to connect to mail servers, click Show Detail, then click Check Again.

3. When you’re done, click Check Again to verify if your actions resolved the problem.

If the problem persists, contact your email account provider to verify your account details and setup.

Thanks.

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Answer 4

Big 'G' Author

Level 1

11 points

Dec 26, 2022 6:28 PM in response to Lindsay_B.

Yes, the issue carries over to a new user account created on my Mac. I should have mentioned this in my first post where I completely removed all mail settings and started from scratch as well as cleaning out my keychain. After making all these changes the problem still existed so I created another account, but this was done just over a year ago. After I complete my modifications to my security cams and test I will attempt the creation of another user account.

Thanks for your response Lindsay_B.

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SMTP server settings will not save in Apple Mail for Monterey

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