Changed mail accounts from Pop to IMAP and now don't receive mail

Question

Changed mail accounts from Pop to IMAP and now don't receive mail

I was having issues with all of my devices trying to access my email account on the server at the same time so I just changed the accounts in my mac mail client on my iMac from Pop to IMAP. Ever since I made the change, I can't receive any new email (in any of the accounts) unless I either close Mail and then reopen or take the accounts offline and then back online. When I do either of those things, the messages come in. What did I miss when I was setting up them up with IMAP? I didn't have a problem getting any of the mail that was on my server account immediately after setting the accounts up. It's just now I'm not receiving the new mail. Sending is no problem.

iMac (27-inch Late 2009), OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.4)

Posted on Jul 1, 2013 5:35 AM

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Answer 1

Jul 1, 2013 6:02 AM in response to luannefromsuffolk

Oh, and I'm receiving mail just fine on iPhone and iPad...just not on iMac with Mountain Lion and Mail 6.5.

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Answer 2

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,541 points

Jul 1, 2013 10:33 AM in response to luannefromsuffolk

Quit Mail. Force quit if necessary.

Back up all data. That means you know you can restore the Mail database, no matter what happens.

Triple-click the text on the line below to select it:

~/Library/Mail/V2/MailData/Envelope Index

Copy the selected text to the Clipboard (command-C). In the Finder, select

Go ▹ Go to Folder

from the menu bar. Paste into the box that opens (command-V), then press return.

A Finder window will open with a file selected. Move the selected file to the Desktop, leaving the window open. Other files in the folder may have names that begin with "Envelope Index". Move those files, if any, to the Trash.

Log out and log back in. Relaunch Mail. It should prompt you to re-import your messages. You may get a warning that the index is corrupt and that Mail has to quit. Click OK.

Test. If Mail now works as expected, you can delete the file you moved to the Desktop. Otherwise, post your results.

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Answer 3

Jul 1, 2013 11:22 AM in response to Linc Davis

Tried it but nothing changed. There were two other files I moved to trash, 'envelope index-wal' and 'envelope index-sam'. Logged out, relaunched mail, imported mail. Sent myself an email from gmail. Checked webmail and it showed up right away but not in mac mail. Waited about 5 more minutes, still not in mac mail. Took all mail accounts offline then back online and the message came in immediately. This is very frustrating!

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Answer 4

Eric Root

Level 10

684,027 points

Jul 1, 2013 11:29 AM in response to luannefromsuffolk

Gmail setup instructions so you can double check.

Gmail Account Setup

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Answer 5

Jul 1, 2013 11:36 AM in response to Eric Root

Gmail isn't my primary email account. I use Charter mail (those are the ones with the problems) but I also have a gmail account that I mostly just use when I can't get to Charter. I don't have a problem with the gmail account...it's working fine.

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Answer 6

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,541 points

Jul 1, 2013 12:55 PM in response to luannefromsuffolk

From the menu bar, select

Mail > Preferences > Accounts > Advanced

Check the box marked

Use IDLE command...

if it's not already checked.

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Answer 7

Jul 1, 2013 1:29 PM in response to Linc Davis

It was already checked.

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Answer 8

Lanny

Level 6

13,183 points

Jul 1, 2013 1:44 PM in response to luannefromsuffolk

Are you sure that Charter offers IMAP? Most cable companies don't offer it. It's not a setup option. The ISP has to offer it. This may change in the future since Windows 8 dropped support for POP3, i.e., Comcast has a beta IMAP offering.

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Answer 9

Csound1

Level 9

59,973 points

Jul 1, 2013 1:47 PM in response to luannefromsuffolk

From Charter:

Imap Settings

Check that you followed their instructions and that you are using the correct server settings.

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Answer 10

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,541 points

Jul 1, 2013 1:50 PM in response to luannefromsuffolk

Please read this whole message before doing anything.

This procedure is a diagnostic test. It’s unlikely to solve your problem. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.

The purpose of the test is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party software that loads automatically at startup or login, or by a peripheral device.

Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards. Boot in safe mode and log in to the account with the problem. Note: If FileVault is enabled, or if a firmware password is set, or if the boot volume is a software RAID, you can’t do this. Ask for further instructions.

Safe mode is much slower to boot and run than normal, and some things won’t work at all, including sound output and Wi-Fi on certain iMacs. The next normal boot may also be somewhat slow.

The login screen appears even if you usually log in automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin.

Test while in safe mode. Same problem?

After testing, reboot as usual (i.e., not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of the test.

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Answer 11

Jul 1, 2013 2:09 PM in response to Linc Davis

I have made doubly sure that all of my account settings are correct (did that before I posted here). Maybe I'll try the diagnostic test but not now...that's very involved and I need to set aside some time for that. However, I doubt that is going to provide anything useful concerning this problem as I have come across many others who have a similar problem with IMAP and Mac Mail when I was Googling to see if I could find a solution. Maybe it's time to look for a new mail app. Seems like I have many more problems, in general, since upgrading to Mountain Lion. I wish I hadn't done that.

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Answer 12

Lanny

Level 6

13,183 points

Jul 1, 2013 2:17 PM in response to luannefromsuffolk

Despite what you've read elsewhere, when it comes to email cofiguration settings, all email clients are pretty much the same. If you have made the correct settings, they should all work.

It is important to remember that when removing prior account settings to make sure that you delete all of the prior settings, quit the email application, and then restart the application and enter the settings.

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