Comcast IMAP outgoing mail server offline

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Level 1

12 points

Comcast IMAP outgoing mail server offline

I am running OS 10.11.3 and Mail 9.2 0n an iMac. I have a Comcast IMAP account. The outgoing mail server indicates that it is offline. The Comcast site is not really helpful as it shows how to configure using Mail 7 - the input screens in "9" are different. There does not appear to be a way to enter both incoming and outgoing port information. I've tried rebooting, redoing my pass word, etc. I know the fault is not at the Comcast server as I have sent mail from my account via outlook Any suggestions on how to fix this?

iMac, OS X El Capitan (10.11.3), Mail

Posted on Jan 27, 2016 11:36 AM

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Answer 1

AppleJoe

Community Manager

Jan 30, 2016 9:48 AM in response to Fl iMac

Hi Fl iMac,

Thanks for using the Apple Support Communities. Sorry to hear you are having these issues with your Mail account in El Capitan. If you suspect that it may be an incorrect port issue, it is possible to change the port configuration for both the incoming and outgoing mail servers, just not in the same place:

- For the incoming server, you would go to Mail > Preferences > Accounts, select the account in question on the left hand side, then select the Advanced tab to the right; it should say Port: and allow you to select the Authentication.

- For the outgoing server, you would likewise go to Mail > Preferences > Accounts and select your account on the left. Then, in the main Account Information tab, where it says Outgoing Mail Server (SMTP), you would click on the drop down and select Edit SMTP Server List... In the window that opens, you would select the correct outgoing server from the list at the top, then select the Advanced tab below. Again, you should see an option to set the Port: and Authentication.

If editing the ports does not resolve the issue and/or you are still having other Mail issues, you may also find this article helpful:

If you can’t send or receive email on your Mac - Apple Support

Regards

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Answer 2

Fl iMac Author

Level 1

12 points

Jan 30, 2016 9:47 AM in response to AppleJoe

Thanks Joe_7399. Your message helped a bit - I now know how to navigate the outgoing config data. I went through the steps but it didn't resolve the problem. The article :

If you can’t send or receive email on your Mac - Apple Support

was interesting but since the incoming mail on comcast works and only the outgoing is 'offline', there is no lightning bolt indicated. As a result I selected take comcast IMAP offline - then opened connection doctor = two comcast accounts showed up. One indicated that no connection could be made; the other said all was fine. When I open 'accounts" only one Comcast acct appears - not sure why connection Dr thought there were two. However none of the above brought the outgoing server back to life in Mail. If I delete the Comcast acct in Mail there is a notice that says all data will be removed from Mail - does this include all the the mailboxes "on my Mac" (saved emails by personal file system)? If I delete then reestablish the account will those mailboxes still be there? This action may reset the outgoing server to online. It is the only other solution I can think of at this point.

Any suggestions/comments greatly appreciated.

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Answer 3

brenden dv

Community Specialist

Feb 4, 2016 5:39 AM in response to Fl iMac

Hi Fl iMac,

Thanks again for using the Apple Support Community. We're sorry to hear that you are still having these issues, even after following the steps in the article. Given the nature of the issues you are describing and your current configuration, you may be better served by reaching out to one of Apple's other available resources for more direct assistance - https://getsupport.apple.com/GetproductgroupList.action

Regards

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