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Mail can't connect to the account

I have 2 mail accounts that Mail does not accept the password for.


I get the message frequently 'Mail can't connect to the account xxxx


I have changed the password but still can't directly connect via Mail.


I changed password in the Mail preferences to correct password.


I can open a browser app and go to the website for the email ISP and logon using the same password I would use to access the email accounts in question.


Why does Mail constantly give this error message?


This has been extremely frustrating.


I have had all the email from the 2 accounts redirected to a third email account that is having no problem with Mail. I still want to access those 2 accounts directly from my Mac and through Mail app.


Is this a Keychain issue? How to fix this one?


HELP!

Mail-OTHER, OS X Mountain Lion

Posted on Jul 28, 2012 5:46 PM

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Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Aug 8, 2012 5:03 PM

I have the same problem. I used mail app for both yahoo and gmail. Gmail is working fine, but mail keeps poping up "Mail can't connect to the account Yahoo!" When it pops up, my password is right there. All I do is click okay then it connects again. What's the problem?


Please help.

40 replies

Aug 8, 2012 7:10 PM in response to rwheaton2

Same concern here and it's getting very annoying... I've even deleted the acct in system prefs and mail prefs to no avail. I have 3 different yahoo addresses and it can happen to either but usually it's my main one... it's gotten to the point that every time the program checks mail (5 minutes) the dang box pops up, several times @ times.

Nothing seems to change this.... I may try to trash the prefs. file next, I'll keep you posted.

Aug 31, 2012 5:20 PM in response to TheBullBear

turns out I have egg on my face..... after much frustration I phoned my ISP..... the problem was theirs.... once they 're-set' my account a number of times mind you...... it worked again.... they couldn't explain it though..... so, no idea what the cause was? But it's all working again now.... Mail recognizes the account and Messages works too....

Aug 31, 2012 8:46 PM in response to BangerT

I've been doing quite a bit of reading and this problem seems to be fairly extensive, ecompassing many ISPs, so it is probably an Apple problem. My solution was two fold:


1) Created a couple of extra iCloud alias emails and then set my Yahoo/ATT emails to forward to them, effectively ditching my yahoo/att accounts


2) Turned off SSL on all my other accounts, which ended the Spinning Ball of Death that has been plaguing Mail.


Things seem to be running smoothly now. No spinning ball of death, no constant pop up dialogues complaining about password issues.

Apr 30, 2013 6:52 PM in response to rwheaton2

No comments from Apple on this one? Having the same problems on new 27" iMac.I have TWO Yahoo! accounts, so you can imagine my frustrations at constantly having one or both accounts disconnect. My PC works FABULOUSLY with Yahoo ;-) No really i love my Mac but my iMac is a business tool and it needs to be able to STAY connected to email...


Instances of disconnect:


- After wake up/boot/reboot

- When using Yahoo account on any other device

- Random intervals throughout usage - I go pee and come back and am asked for my password again 😕 I will never be able to pee while using my mac!!!

Jun 4, 2013 7:03 AM in response to lggardner

Officialy Yahoo only supports client access with a paid account, many users with free accounts have found that client access works, sometimes. Do you have a free, paid or yahoo/att account?


Turning SSL off sends your mail 'in the clear' So any one can read it, think about whether you want to do that before you do it.

Mail can't connect to the account

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