Mail alert with circle, triangle, exclamation point.

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Mail alert with circle, triangle, exclamation point.

Recently Mail has intermittent connectivity problems. I get the little circle/triangle/exclamation point next to the account name. The alert says:

There may be a problem with the mail server or network. Verify the settings or try again.

The server returned the error: The attempt to send data to the server “(null)” failed.

The problem isn't with the ISP or my wifi. I still have internet. And I'm able to send messages; just can't receive them. The problem lasts for maybe 5 minutes at a time, then it goes away. It happens constantly. It's a POP server.

Any ideas what's wrong?

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X Mavericks (10.9.5)

Posted on Oct 14, 2015 10:48 AM

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Answer 1

Shoozy

Level 1

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Oct 14, 2015 10:59 AM in response to cumberuss

Same issue here. I can send but cant receive email with my time warner roadrunner email. the IMAP server block has a me.com address in it? never had a me.com account. and it keep showing port 143 instead of the usual 110 ? All since El Capitan upgrade.

I run dual systems and when I go back to the ole one pre-el capitan it all works fine.. just not in upgrade version.

will they fix this or do I need to do something? I can't change the settings.

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Answer 2

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,739 points

Oct 14, 2015 6:54 PM in response to cumberuss

Do you have more than one mail account, and if so, are they all affected at the same time? What about other Internet applications, such as web browsing? Other devices on the same network that connect to the same mail account?

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Answer 3

cumberuss Author

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Oct 15, 2015 7:02 AM in response to Linc Davis

Hi Linc. Yes, I have 2 email accounts. Mostly 1 is affected and not the other, but sometimes both are affected. Web browsing is not affected at all. I haven't noticed the problem existing on my iPhone when I check email with it, but then I don't do that very often. Someone else told me to change the port from 110 to 995. I did that but the problem remains. Thanks for whatever help you can provide.

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Answer 4

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,739 points

Oct 15, 2015 10:43 AM in response to cumberuss

Select the Advanced tab in the settings for the account and uncheck the box marked

Automatically detect and maintain account settings

Close the preferences window and save the change.

This procedure may not work in your case. If you still have trouble connecting to the mail server, you may find other ideas for a solution in this ASC discussion Some mail services just don't work well with Mail, and there may be nothing you can do about it. Your options in that case are to change service providers, use a third-party mail client, or use the webmail interface to access the account.

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Answer 5

cumberuss Author

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Oct 15, 2015 11:46 AM in response to Linc Davis

Thanks for the info, but I get no option that says Automatically detect and maintain account settings. Maybe that option doesn't exist in my version of Mail? (Version 7.3 (1878.6). Also, this problem only started happening about 2 weeks ago, and I've had my Mail accounts for years, so I don't think it would be a situation where the mail service doesn't work well with Mail.

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Answer 6

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,739 points

Oct 15, 2015 12:40 PM in response to cumberuss

Things could have changed on the server. Please read the discussion linked to my last comment.

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