Robert John 618
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Can't send an email from MAIL.

Last night when I sent an email, it went to the OUTBOX and remains stuck there.  Tried again sending an email to a different address, and result was the same.  Tried to send it from the outbox and it just cycles back again to the outbox.  This occurred suddenly and unexpectedly.  All other MAIL functions seem to be working.  Tried the REBUILD function on the menu, no change.

iMac, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.5), Error code appears and I'm clueless

Posted on Apr 22, 2015 5:12 AM

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Robert John 618

Q: Can't send an email from MAIL.

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  • by thunderzzz,

    thunderzzz thunderzzz Apr 22, 2015 5:22 AM in response to Robert John 618
    Level 6 (8,379 points)
    Notebooks
    Apr 22, 2015 5:22 AM in response to Robert John 618

    Hi. I would recommend you to use mail connection doctor app. Open Mail app/choose Window - Connection doctor. It will check the status of your internet connection and mail account.  You can also find more info about mail app troubleshooting here: If you can’t send or receive email on your Mac - Apple Support

  • by Robert John 618,

    Robert John 618 Robert John 618 Apr 22, 2015 6:55 AM in response to thunderzzz
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 22, 2015 6:55 AM in response to thunderzzz

    Thanks for the rapid response, thunderzzz.  Went to connection doctor, and both Gmail status buttons for Google IMAP and SMTP are green.  Unplugged/reconnected modem.  Still the same: can't send mail.  No other mail or internet problems are apparent.


  • by Robert John 618,

    Robert John 618 Robert John 618 Apr 22, 2015 7:18 AM in response to Robert John 618
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 22, 2015 7:18 AM in response to Robert John 618

    UPDATE:  While my OSX MAIL isn't sending, my google mail account is totally functional.

  • by ~Luke,

    ~Luke ~Luke Apr 22, 2015 7:46 AM in response to Robert John 618
    Level 1 (94 points)
    Apple Music
    Apr 22, 2015 7:46 AM in response to Robert John 618

    Hi Robert,

     

    Is there any Mac anti-virus software or any software that would be scanning emails in the background? The active scans can be the culprit.

     

    If you have no software that would be scanning it might be worth checking the SMTP credentials for the account in question.

     

    Is it when sending an email to any email address or a particular email in question?

     

    • Normal reasons for this issue are:
    • Incorrect email address:
    • Internet connectivity not quite right (check the green light under wireless or ethernet in network preferences)
    • Email provider is having problems or have changed SMTP authentication or port (in mail preferences and SMTP you could try changing port - If you have 25 try 587 or vice versa)

     

    I hope some of that info helps!

  • by Robert John 618,

    Robert John 618 Robert John 618 Apr 22, 2015 8:13 AM in response to ~Luke
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 22, 2015 8:13 AM in response to ~Luke

    Hi Luke,

    I have an active free Avast anti-virus (that's it) and it indicates all is fine and up to date.  I'm not sure about SMTP, since this is the same MAIL account I've been using for 2 years on the same iMac with no changes.  How would I check this out?   I've tried sending emails to several addresses (including this one), and I continue to get the pop-up screen: "Cannot send email using server Gmail."

     

    Your reply mentions this, but I'm not sure what it means or how to check/change what's indicated:

    • Email provider is having problems or have changed SMTP authentication or port (in mail preferences and SMTP you could try changing port - If you have 25 try 587 or vice versa)

     

  • by ~Luke,

    ~Luke ~Luke Apr 22, 2015 8:41 AM in response to Robert John 618
    Level 1 (94 points)
    Apple Music
    Apr 22, 2015 8:41 AM in response to Robert John 618

    Hi Robert,

     

    See this guide on how to change the port:

    https://www.authsmtp.co.uk/mac-mail-yosemite/alternate-port.html

     

    In the port box you could try 25 or 587 depending on what you already have - if it makes no difference I would change it back to what you had in there.

     

    Regarding Avast I would check its preferences to see if you can disable its active scanning (not sure what the option is called) - I am referring to its shield or scan it does in the background. Alternatively if there is an option for email scanning turn this off.

     

    An update to Avast could have changed settings causing it to conflict with mail. Antivirus software is a common culprit.

  • by Robert John 618,

    Robert John 618 Robert John 618 Apr 22, 2015 3:38 PM in response to ~Luke
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 22, 2015 3:38 PM in response to ~Luke

    Thanks for all the prompt and thorough assistance.  After trying all suggestions and still unable to send email, I contacted Apple assistance on the phone to repair the frustrating problem.  After digging for a while, the rep discovered that Gmail began having issues 17 hours before, precisely when my mail went down.  Best thing, they didn't charge me for over an hour of troubleshooting!  Gmail seems to now be functioning, and the Apple rep sent me a link to find out when Gmail is having issues that they aren't reporting on their site.  For anyone interested, it's http://downrightnow.com/gmail