Mail folders have disappeared how do I get them back?

Question

Level 1

6 points

Mail folders have disappeared how do I get them back?

Hi. Recently upgraded to El Capitan and all seemed a-ok. Then suddenly/couple weeks ago, all my mac Mail folders disappeared! For some reason I can now receive but still not send emails. There is a triangle with exclamation mark saying 'Account Error!' and "The server returned the error: Connections to the server (..........) on the default ports timed out". I contacted my phone/broadband supplier for help and they say nothing to do with them and contact Apple.!

I had backed up before this happened with time machine on external hard drive. I have no idea how this happened and what is the next best thing to do - how best to reinstall and hopefully solve the problem. ?

OS X El Capitan

Version 10.11.6

MacBook Air (11-inch, Mid 2012)

Processor 1.7 GHz Intel Core i5

Memory 4 GB 1600 MHz DDR3

MacBook Air, iOS 10, El Capitan

Posted on Sep 23, 2016 5:24 AM

Reply

Answer 1

chris_g1

Community Specialist

Sep 24, 2016 12:17 PM in response to fannybarnet

Hello fannybarnet,
Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.

I understand from your post that after updating your MacBook Air to macOS El Capitan that your mail folders disappeared and you cannot send emails. Also, when you try to send emails you get errors saying account error and server errors. I know how important it is for you to be able to send emails from your Mac. I recommend using the steps from the following article to help resolve this type of issue:

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

Best Regards.

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Answer 2

Eric Root

Level 10

685,251 points

Sep 24, 2016 3:34 PM in response to fannybarnet

Try re-indexing the mailboxes. This can take awhile if you have a lot of mail.

Reindex messages For El Capitan, try looking in V3.

Reindex messages (2) See post by Linc Davis

Who is the e-mail provider and is the account(s) IMAP or POP?

Mail (El Capitan): Mail troubleshooting

Mail (El Capitan): If you can’t receive messages

Mail (El Capitan): If you can’t send messages

Mail not sending or receiving messages after updating OS X

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Answer 3

fannybarnet Author

Level 1

6 points

Sep 25, 2016 7:38 AM in response to chris_g1

Hi chris_g1. Thanks for reply. By the time I read your email my Mail account on my laptop started to work as before and I've sent/received tests mail. But now Mail is crashing plus I still need to get folders/emails back into Mail on my MacBook Air. I have Time Machine backup.

While I was writing I have triangle back and seems as before. But I send test from iMac to MacAir from iMac and it gets through and I return email and received with no problem. More info is in my reply to Eric Root's previous.

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Answer 4

fannybarnet Author

Level 1

6 points

Sep 25, 2016 8:04 AM in response to Eric Root

Hi Eric Root

I've looked at and followed all advice I can get my head round. Please see reply to chris_g1. as attempt to be concise. After sporadic connection I don't know why the Mail 'triangle' had gone and is now back.

Server is (UK) PlusNet. Assume mail POP as email downloaded onto macs and I don't need internet connection to access (eg. Yah, Hot, Gm)- as this is really important to me.

So much to do at the moment and priority is getting my all Mail email folders back onto my MacBook Air (no prob with my old iMac desktop as working as normal. What is the easiest- can't I do something with my Time Machine backup?

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Answer 5

tygb

Level 9

65,010 points

Sep 25, 2016 8:12 AM in response to fannybarnet

Please take back of all mails before deleting the corrupted IMAP account by transferring in pen drive or this method .

Click on go to go folder & type ~/Library

select mail folder > right click on it > a window will appear > click on copy mail > right click on extreme right blank space , then click on paste item .

Entire mails are copied in V3 folder for EL - Capitan user , V2 for Yosemite , V4 for OS Sierra .

Delete IMAP account , again configure fresh IMAP account .

Go to top menu bar click on file > import mailboxes > import data from > a window will appear , select apple mail > click on continue > select the back drop folder then choose new .

A new folder with all mails will appear in mail side bar .

Isn't this method complicated , I would prefer simple pen drive method .

Suggested article : Mail for Mac: Import or export mailboxes

Thanks !

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Answer 6

fannybarnet Author

Level 1

6 points

Sep 26, 2016 9:37 AM in response to fannybarnet

And now the triangles back (problems with mail server..) on the MacBook Air./El Capitan and I have no idea and I need basic guidance as to solve this. Mac mail and restoring saved mailbox/emails.

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