AOL IMAP connection to Mail fails intermittently

Are you running any VPN, Anti-Virus, or Cleaning apps?

We need to see what all is running, a report from this will not display any personal info...

Using EtreCheck - Apple Community

EtreCheck is a FREE simple little diagnostic tool to display the important details of your system configuration and allow you to copy that information to the Clipboard. It is meant to be used with Apple Support Communities to help people help you with your Mac. It will not display any personal info.

https://www.etrecheck.com/

Thanks for Old Toad’s etrecheck instructions…

Slow iMac 2017 - Apple Community

Hello Stephen Gerke,

For issues receiving emails on Mac, we'd recommend these related steps: If you can’t receive emails in Mail on Mac

If you can’t receive emails in Mail on Mac

In the Mail app  on your Mac, if you’re certain you’re not receiving messages, even after clicking the Get Mail button  in the Mail toolbar, try these suggestions.

* Check whether Mail is retrieving a large message or a message with large attachments. See View Mail activity.

* Check if you’re using filters in the message list that are preventing expected messages from being shown.

* Try sorting messages in the message list by Date or another attribute, or searching for messages, to verify if you received them.

* Check whether your account is offline or disabled (inactive).

* If you’re missing emails from a specific person or group, check whether you blocked messages from them.

* Try quitting Mail, then opening it again.

* Choose Window > Connection Doctor, then follow any instructions in the Details column. Check for problems logging in to email accounts or with the incoming Mail server, or with firewall software blocking network traffic.

Check whether you’re affected by another firewall, such as software installed separately from macOS or built into an internet sharing router, or administered by your email account provider. Contact the appropriate person for information.

* If you’re still having problems, contact your email account provider to verify your user name, password, incoming mail server, and other required information. Then verify the information is entered correctly in Mail account settings.

If you’re logged in to a network using VPN, also make sure that you entered your VPN password correctly.

If there aren't firewalls or other software blocking the connection, then it may be time to contact your email provider for additional steps.

Take care.

@Stephen Gerke

I have a similar issue, have tried various things, checked various forums, etc. So first of all, you are not alone / crazy...or we both are! Secondly, I get tired of the "blame the victim" mentality, don't you?

Anyway, in case anyone out there can help...

I have Windows 10 and several iThings. Things go swimmingly for hours, then -- for no apparent reason -- I will not be able to connect to AOL Mail. I have tried the same things as Stephen (original post) and also have authentication issues.

I suspect that some clients connect to the server in a way that gums up the works. For example, when I am away from home I only have iOS gadgets and I have NO issues. If I only use Windows, also no issues. When I "mix" them, then there are issues. BTW on Windows I use eMClient. A few years back I used Thunderbird and had the same experience, switching to eMClient to see if that would help. FWIW, someone on the Mozilla Thunderbird forum said iOS Mail connects to servers in a way that is problematic.

So my question to those with deeper tech knowledge: Can a email client choose an option or method of connecting to a mail server, specifically AOL, that can effectively prevent other clients from connecting?

I can connect, let's say, 90% of the time. So unless you have something surefire and specific: 1. Please do not blame security software, firewalls, configurations, etc. 2. Please do not recommend uninstalling / reinstalling apps; this has occurred over years and all devices have been replaced during that time. 3. Please do not blame AOL "just because"; I doubt that AOL's service goes down at least once per day for years or they could stay in the email business. I know those who offer generic advice are truly trying to help. But my experience tells me this is beyond the simple and generic.

Thank you,

Joe

My question was: Can a email client choose an option or method of connecting to a mail server, specifically AOL, that can effectively prevent other clients from connecting?

This response...

Are you running any VPN, Anti-Virus, or Cleaning apps?

may be well-intended, but it's a good example of blaming the victim.

Then I need you to explain this...

effectively prevent other clients from connecting?

Also, when did asking a question become to mean blaming?