I can't send hotmail emails from my mac but I can receive them

That's an issue related to the BT homehub that is providing a hostname that is "syntactically incorrect" for several smtp server.

Here's how you can fix it.

Using your internet browser, go to the address "192.168.1.254

- Follow instructions to reset your password if asked.

- Then go to "Settings", then "Advanced Settings" and "home network"

You will see there all the devices that are connected or that has been connected before. It's gonna be easyer if yout computer is the only one connected.

Your computer should have a name like "unknown-xx:xx:xx:xx:xx ...

Click on this name, chose another name without any special characters, like "macbook" for exemple.

And then click on "apply"

- restart your computer.

That should fix the issue.

This was perfect and fixed my outgoing live account instantly.

Many many thanks!

Hi mmjosh1010

I am in the UK and eventually found the problem was due to my BT Home Hub Router.

I found this fix below on https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4604180?start=15&tstart=0

It worked for me. If you can't link to the URL, here is the body of the text

There's an issue related to the BT homehub that is providing a hostname that is "syntactically incorrect" for several smtp server.

Here's how you can fix it.

Using your internet browser, go to the address "192.168.1.254

- Follow instructions to reset your password if asked.

- Then go to "Settings", then "Advanced Settings" and "home network"

You will see there all the devices that are connected or that has been connected before. It's gonna be easyer if yout computer is the only one connected.

Your computer should have a name like "unknown-xx:xx:xx:xx:xx ...

Click on this name, chose another name without any special characters, like "macbook" for exemple.

And then click on "apply"

- restart your computer.

That should fix the issue.

Credit goes to vincentfromcork for providing me with teh solution.

Spread the word 😉

Hi stu46

I am in the UK and eventually found the problem was due to my BT Home Hub Router.

I found this fix below on https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4604180?start=15&tstart=0

It worked for me. If you can't link to the URL, here is the body of the text

There's an issue related to the BT homehub that is providing a hostname that is "syntactically incorrect" for several smtp server.

Here's how you can fix it.

Using your internet browser, go to the address "192.168.1.254

- Follow instructions to reset your password if asked.

- Then go to "Settings", then "Advanced Settings" and "home network"

You will see there all the devices that are connected or that has been connected before. It's gonna be easyer if yout computer is the only one connected.

Your computer should have a name like "unknown-xx:xx:xx:xx:xx ...

Click on this name, chose another name without any special characters, like "macbook" for exemple.

And then click on "apply"

- restart your computer.

That should fix the issue.

Credit goes to vincentfromcork for providing me with the solution.

Spread the word 😉

Vincent from Cork you're the man. Two visits to the Genius Bar in Aberdeen couldn't fix this best they could offer was for me to change my email provider to iCloud.

Thank you so much ,it worked for me ,after i left out the comma ,should have taken more time to read would have save me a lot less time.Many Thanks again .

thank you so much!

For once Micro$oft is not to blame!

bloody BT.

worst speeds and now worst hub...

Thanks mate.....

I had the same problem with my Macbook Pro. Thought the problem was my macbook, as my ipad and also my handphone was working ok with my BT broadband. I am totally not knowlegable about computers at all and especially Apple, as being a windows person before purchasing this Macbook last month. Anyway, took my PC into Apple to try and sort out the problem, was told they've had people gone in with the same problem, and it wasnt their problem but BT's. Called up BT, they said it was Hotmail's problem!

Went on this forum and saw your advice. Couldnt log into the address you provided. 192.168.254

Decided to fiddle around. Went to Mail and then clicked preferences, then accounts, outgoing mail server, edit smtp server list, clicked on custom port instead of the default port it's normally is set to and typed in the 192.168.254, retyped the password. I finally was able to send an email to myself and others! I dont know if I am doing it the right way or just fluke! But, thanks so much for giving me those numbers to put in! Was about to go mad as couldnt send emails for ages! Hope it continues to work. 🙂

No you re not doing the right thing.

Try to connect to your hub by going to the address

192.168.2.1 or find it on the Internet your hub address.

Then follow the steps described above.

I have exactly the same problem, but nothing to do with BT - I'm with talk talk. Any solutions, please???!! I can send from my iPad, but not from my iPhone and the mac only sends from my google address, not talk talk mails. No receipt nor send n hotmail, yet settings all the same for the three devices! Help!

Ditto, and I'm with TalkTalk. What I do when Hotmail shows 'sending' endlessly is to cancel the page by pressing the redX and then to sign in again. So far on every occasion the message seems to have been sent. But it is an unacceptable method, and I'm looking for a solution.

Yep, as others have suggested re BT, Talk Talk sent me an upgraded router (mine was a good 5 years old) - I had to have a new one as it didn't support Windows 7 on my PC - and lo and behold, all mail now works on all Apple devices!

Thanks very much. I will now get onto TalkTalk about an upgraded router.

Hi, just to add my thanks to the others as this worked for me too.🙂

It is also worth noting that on my first attempt I included a space in the name. It didn't like that either, so now I have removed the space from the name I created, and suddenly it works fine.

What BT?

I'm located in Australia and have noticed certain times I've been unable to send out emails. It's become a sporatic thing which I find quite annoying. I'm with TPG. Can this be fixed also?

Ive got exactly the same problem, is it working for people without bt internet?