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Level 1

0 points

Mail 5.3 can't send mail on smtp.live.com

Help me!!!! I haven't been able to send mail for ages now on my macbook air - nothing has changed, no updates etc as far as I can remember and no one else seems to be having my problem from what I can see in the discussions. The message stays in my outbox then times out and says:

"Cannot send message using the server smtp.live.com -email address-

Connections to the server “smtp.live.com” on the default ports timed out.

Select a different outgoing mail server from the list below or click Try Later to leave the message in your Outbox until it can be sent."

I can receieve mail and I can send messages from my iphone. My internet connection is fine and I'd really rather not pay £35 to fix it - it shouldn't break in the first place! I'm pretty much computer illiterate but I have followed things that have worked for other users such as turning SSL (?!) on/off; changing port numbers, using the connection doctor - Hotmail POP shows green light, SMTP continues to search/load. Nothing else in smtp list.

PLEASE HELP BEFORE I KILL LAPTOP!!!

MacBook Air, Mac OS X (10.7.5)

Posted on Aug 23, 2013 7:46 AM

18 replies

Csound1

Level 9

59,973 points

Aug 23, 2013 9:53 AM in response to Khodg

You're welcome.

NeelamS

Level 1

10 points

Sep 9, 2013 4:40 PM in response to Khodg

I've searched through a lot of forums and have found the solution (well, it worked for me and a few others!). You need to change the DNS settings. the link to the forum that explains it is here:

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windowslive/forum/email/still-cannot-send-mai l-from-hotmail-accounts-under/7339491f-6b5f-40c1-ae67-7986a4e428d9?page=2

It's a post by JimSinfield (Bless him!)

Khodg Author

Level 1

0 points

Sep 12, 2013 11:20 AM in response to NeelamS

THANK YOU SO SO SO SO SO SO SO MUCH!!!! AHHHH!!! I HAVE EMAIL!!!!

For anyone reading this post, here's how I fixed it - thanks to the wonderful Jim:

Go to System Preferences > Network Settings
Click Airport / Wireless
Click Advanced
Click DNS tab
Make note of 000.000.000.000 whatever number (just incase, no idea what it is though!)
Click + at the bottom left of tab
Type 8.8.8.8
Click + again
Type 8.8.4.4
Click OK
Click Apply
Quit System Preferences

This worked for me, after a minute or so. I got so excited to see my test email send to myself for the first time in weeks!

Hope it helps for everyone else xxx

Mail 5.3 can't send mail on smtp.live.com