mail constantly goes offline

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Level 2

188 points

mail constantly goes offline

Hi

For the last two weeks my Mac Mail continually goes offline and when I click on the wrning triangle I get the following message:

There may be a problem with the mail server or network. Verify the settings for account “iCloud” or try again.

The server returned the error: Connections to the server “p12-imap.mail.me.com” on the default ports timed out.

There's nothing wrong with my internet connection, I cana get mail on all my other devices and access it on iCloud.

Does anyone have any ideas - at first it happened once a day. Now it's happening every five minutes.

thanks

WG

MacBook Air, OS X Yosemite (10.10)

Posted on Dec 1, 2015 2:54 PM

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Answer 1

May 12, 2017 8:07 PM in response to writergirl2

I am having the same problem with an iCloud account and a gmail account using mail... but only when I use the wifi network created by my airport express. When I connect to the ATT DSL router's wifi there is no issue!

Now isn't that interesting.

Any suggestions?

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Answer 2

Eric Root

Level 10

685,293 points

Dec 2, 2015 1:04 PM in response to writergirl2

Mail troubleshooting - Yosemite

Mail (Yosemite): If you can’t receive messages

Mail (Yosemite): If you can’t send messages

Mail not sending or receiving messages after updating OS X

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Answer 3

writergirl2 Author

Level 2

188 points

Dec 3, 2015 3:43 AM in response to Eric Root

Hi Eric

Thanks for your suggestions.

I'd read all of those before I posted and had checked Connection Doctor too. The problem is connecting to the server but all my settings are correct (at least, the iCloud ones are automatically entered so I'm not sure if there's something wrong in them)

Sometimes Mail comes back online automatically. Others I have to quit and restart. It's getting so that I'm checking my iPad instead of Mail for emails, though that's not hugely satisfactory as I work from my Mac!!

WG

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Answer 4

writergirl2 Author

Level 2

188 points

Dec 3, 2015 8:14 AM in response to writergirl2

Hi - just adding additional information in case anyone can help further:

1. I'm actually using El Capitan and have been since it's release with no problems

2. Using Connection Doctor I see that the SMTP is connecting properly but the IMAP is not (as per the message I posted previously)

Why would there be a problem connecting to that server? All of my settings are correct. My email is with icloud so they're all added automatically.

WG

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Answer 5

Eric Root

Level 10

685,293 points

Dec 3, 2015 8:59 AM in response to writergirl2

You are welcome. You can check your settings using the Apple support article below.

Mail Server Information

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Answer 6

writergirl2 Author

Level 2

188 points

Dec 3, 2015 9:46 AM in response to Eric Root

The problem with the settings is that they are automatically added by icloud and are greyed out so I can't change them.The IMAP one, which is the one giving the 'connect to server timed out' message says p12.map.mail.me.com. And the thing is that it does connect sometimes, but then seems to disconnect. As I said previously, I'm getting emails perfectly well on my devices and via the web so I can't help feeling somthing is going wrong in the Mail settings but although I've done just about everything I can't really solve the problem.

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Answer 7

writergirl2 Author

Level 2

188 points

Dec 22, 2015 7:53 AM in response to writergirl2

For two weeks everything was fine and now I'm getting the message again:

There may be a problem with the mail server or network. Verify the settings for account “iCloud” or try again.

The server returned the error: Connections to the server “p12-imap.mail.me.com” on the default ports timed out.

Why is it unable to connect on some occasions and not others?

I don't know what to do or what to change to stop this happening. It's driving me mad as I'm having to check my devices for mail and it's hopeless when I've got stuff I need to do on the Mac.

Any thoughts would be appreciated!

WG

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Answer 8

ajackson

Level 1

7 points

Dec 23, 2015 12:01 PM in response to writergirl2

I'm experiencing the same problems... but it is happening on both my work (Gmail) and personal (iCloud) accounts.

The accounts will both go to "exclamation point" mode, saying that the ports timed out connecting to the IMAP accounts. Both accounts will go inactive at around the same time. Then, from time-to-time, they will come back up again... only to go back down again a short time later.

I thought it was a problem at my work with their router, but the same problem is happening at my home... so it is not dependent on network location.

I, too, would appreciate any thoughts on why this is happening... it's driving me pretty batty.

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Answer 9

Genius!

Level 1

10 points

Dec 23, 2015 1:03 PM in response to writergirl2

I am having the same problem with both my iCloud and Yahoo accounts in Mac Mail. Seems to fail on the IMAP connection in the connection doctor IIRC. Today it actually seems to be fine, this problem with just come and go through the day. I've tried switching off mail in iCloud settings and switching it back on again to make sure it has the latest SMTP and IMAP settings but it doesn't make a difference. I also tried alternative port numbers for IMAPS. I haven't been recording the pattern of behaviour but i'm fairly sure i've only see this occur when at home so i'm beginning to think this is my ISP, BT in the UK.

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Answer 10

Jan 17, 2016 4:53 AM in response to writergirl2

Same here! Problem occurs with two iCloud accounts on new MacBook 12''. While SMTP connects, IMAP does not. Driving me nuts! On all other Apple devices no issues. Can't edit most of the incoming mail prefs as they're grayed out. It just doesn't make any sense. Anyone a fix yet?

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Answer 11

Genius!

Level 1

10 points

Jan 17, 2016 5:04 AM in response to Theodorant

I have been away from my BT fibre connection in the UK since January and haven't had the problem since.

So at least in my case, it is defiantly, without a doubt, BT blocking the ports.

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Answer 12

00drew

Level 1

0 points

Jan 27, 2016 10:57 AM in response to writergirl2

Did you ever figure out what was going on? I have been struggling with the exact same issue. I have a mid2013 Macbook Air running El Capitan. I work from home...it's killing me. I'm going into a genius appointment tomorrow - they may try to switch out my wireless card. I've already done a full clean sweep of my hard drive and reinstalled the operating system. Any success on your end?

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Answer 13

writergirl2 Author

Level 2

188 points

Jan 28, 2016 8:44 AM in response to 00drew

Unfortunately not. However the issue is happening much less frequently now. I feel it was an Apple problem but I've no idea what it was. Am hoping that most recent update might have solved it.....

WG

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Answer 14

Apr 27, 2016 9:27 AM in response to writergirl2

I'll add to this string that I'm experiencing the same issue, and it's fairly constant (multiple times a day my accounts go offline). Similar to what's been described, usually ALL of my email accounts go offline together. I have an icloud account, and two gmail accounts. I doubt it's the email servers if they are going out together, as was suggested in the post on the issue from August 2015. Occasionally one will go online without the others, though. And I have internet access (can browse Safari) when the accounts are offline.

I'm on a mid-2015 Macbook Pro 15", El Capitan 10.11.4. I have an Airport Extreme router with mostly default settings as well.

Any help?

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Answer 15

May 4, 2016 7:06 AM in response to writergirl2

Same problem. I recently updated a number of email account stop IMAP. They keep going offline on my iMac and Macbook Pro consistently requiring a full reboot to start working again for a sort while. All my POP accounts have no issues. The accounts were automatically generated by OS X El Capitan (latest version). Everything has been updated. Very frustrating.

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