Are you experiencing trouble with sending emails from your Apple Mail client? Perhaps you have encountered the “Cannot Send Message Using the Server” error message. This error can be frustrating and hinder your ability to communicate effectively through email.
In this article, we will explore the causes of this error and provide solutions to help you fix the problem seamlessly. Read on to learn about the possible reasons and troubleshoot solutions in detail.
Understanding Apple Mail
Apple Mail is an email client specifically designed for macOS operating system. It allows users to send, receive, and manage their emails efficiently. It is an integral part of the Apple ecosystem, providing seamless integration with other apps and services like Calendar, Contacts, and iCloud.
Apple Mail is pre-installed on all macOS devices and offers advanced features like mail rules, smart folders, and VIP lists. With Apple Mail, users can also manage multiple email accounts from different providers in one place, making it a convenient and user-friendly option for managing email on a Mac.
Why do you receive “Cannot Send Message Using the Server” error in Apple Mail?
Many users face the issue of “Cannot Send Message Using the Server” error while trying to send an email via Apple Mail. The error message indicates that the email cannot be sent because the mail server is not responding or has rejected the email. There can be several reasons that lead to this error, including:
Issue | Possible Cause(s) |
---|---|
Email server issues | The email server may be down or experiencing technical difficulties. |
Internet connection issues | The internet connection may be weak, unstable, or disconnected. |
Incorrect login credentials | The email account settings, login ID, or password may be incorrect or outdated. |
If the email server is experiencing issues, there is nothing much a user can do except waiting for the server to resume its function. Similarly, if the internet connection is weak or disconnected, the user needs to establish a stable connection first before retrying to send the email.
However, if the issue persists even when the email server and internet connection are working well, then the user should check the email account settings and verify the login credentials.
Solutions to fix “Cannot Send Message Using the Server” error in Apple Mail
When faced with the “Cannot Send Message Using the Server” error in Apple Mail, there are several troubleshooting solutions you can try:
- Check email account settings: Ensure that the outgoing mail server settings for your email account are correct. Check the port number and SSL settings as well.
- Reset SMTP server settings: If the first solution does not work, try resetting the SMTP server settings. Go to “Preferences,” then “Accounts,” and select your email account. Click on “Server Settings” and then “Reset SMTP Server.”
- Verify login credentials: If the error still persists, verify that your login credentials for the email account are correct. Check the username and password for your email account.
Let’s take a closer look at each of these solutions.
Check email account settings
The first solution you can try is to check the email account settings in Apple Mail. Here’s how:
- Open Apple Mail and go to “Preferences.”
- Select the “Accounts” tab and choose the email account that is causing problems.
- Check the settings for the outgoing mail server. Make sure the server address is correct and the port number matches with your email hosting provider’s SMTP settings.
- Make sure the SSL checkbox is checked if your email provider requires it.
Reset SMTP server settings
If checking the email account settings doesn’t work, resetting the SMTP server settings might help. Here’s how:
- Go to “Preferences” in Apple Mail and select the “Accounts” tab.
- Choose the email account causing the problem and click on the “Server Settings” button.
- Select “Reset SMTP Server,” and then try sending the message again.
Verify login credentials
It’s possible that the “Cannot Send Message Using the Server” error is caused because of incorrect login credentials. Here’s what to do:
- Open Apple Mail and go to “Preferences.”
- Select the “Accounts” tab and choose the email account that’s causing problems.
- Verify that the username and password are correct. If not, re-enter them and try sending the message again.
- If you are still unable to send messages after verifying the login credentials, try resetting the password for your email account.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Here are some common mistakes that can cause the “Cannot Send Message Using the Server” error and how to avoid them:
“Cannot Send Message Using the Server” error can be caused by incorrect email settings, such as server addresses and port numbers, or issues with the email account login credentials. Check these settings carefully and ensure that they are entered correctly.”
By following these steps, you should be able to fix the “Cannot Send Message Using the Server” error in Apple Mail.
Checking Email Account Settings in Apple Mail
Incorrect email account settings can cause the “Cannot Send Message Using the Server” error in Apple Mail. Here’s how to check your email account settings:
- Open Apple Mail.
- Click on the “Mail” menu and select “Preferences.”
- Select the “Accounts” tab.
- Select your email account from the list on the left side of the screen.
- Ensure that the “Description” field and other basic information, like your name and email address, are correct.
- Click on the “Server Settings” tab and ensure that the incoming and outgoing mail servers are correct.
- Make sure that the outgoing mail server port is set to 587.
- Close the Preferences window and try sending an email again to see if the error persists.
If the error message still appears, it may be necessary to reset the SMTP server settings.
Outgoing Mail Server Settings
Field | Setting |
---|---|
Server Name | Your outgoing mail server name (e.g. smtp.gmail.com) |
User Name | Your email address |
Password | Your email password |
Port | 587 |
Authentication | Password |
Resetting SMTP Server Settings in Apple Mail
If checking your email account settings did not fix the problem, resetting the SMTP server settings may help. Here’s how to do it:
Step | Action |
---|---|
1 | Open Apple Mail and go to “Preferences” from the Mail menu. |
2 | Click on the “Accounts” tab and select the account experiencing the issue. |
3 | Click on the “Server Settings” tab. Uncheck the box that says “Automatically manage connection settings”. |
4 | Click on the drop-down menu next to “Outgoing Mail Server (SMTP)” and choose “Edit SMTP Server List”. |
5 | Select the server that is causing the issue and click the “minus” button (-) to delete it. |
6 | Click the “plus” button (+) to add a new server. |
7 | Enter the correct SMTP server information provided by your email provider. Ensure that “Use Authentication” is checked and enter the correct login credentials. |
8 | Click “OK” to save the changes and close the window. |
Note: If you’re unsure about your SMTP server information or login credentials, contact your email provider for assistance.
After resetting the SMTP server settings, try sending an email again to see if the problem has been resolved.
Verifying Login Credentials in Apple Mail
If you have checked your email server and internet connection and the problem still persists, it’s time to verify your login credentials. Incorrect login credentials can prevent you from sending emails using Apple Mail.
Follow these steps to verify your login credentials:
- Open Apple Mail and click on “Mail” in the top left corner of the screen.
- Select “Preferences” from the dropdown menu.
- Click on the “Accounts” tab.
- Select the email account you are having issues with from the list on the left-hand side.
- Check that your email address and password are entered correctly in the fields provided.
- If you are unsure of your password, click on the “Forgot Password?” link and follow the steps to reset your password.
- Once you have verified your login credentials, click on the “Server Settings” tab.
- Check that the “Outgoing Mail Server (SMTP)” settings are correct for your email account.
If your login credentials were incorrect, updating them should resolve the “Cannot Send Message Using the Server” error. If the problem persists, try resetting your SMTP server settings or contacting your email service provider.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
When setting up an email account in Apple Mail, there are some common mistakes that users make which can lead to the “Cannot Send Message Using the Server” error. Here are some tips on how to avoid these mistakes:
1. Incorrect Email Settings
One of the most common mistakes is entering incorrect email settings, such as the incoming and outgoing mail server settings. To avoid this, double-check the settings by going to the Mail menu and selecting Preferences. From there, select the Accounts tab and click on the email account in question. Make sure the settings match those provided by your email provider.
2. Incorrect Port Settings
Another common mistake is entering incorrect port settings for the outgoing mail server. Ensure that the port settings match those provided by your email provider.
3. Incorrect Login Credentials
It’s easy to make a mistake when entering login credentials, such as the email address or password. To avoid this, double-check the login credentials by going to the Mail menu and selecting Preferences. From there, select the Accounts tab and click on the email account in question. Make sure the email address and password are correct.
4. Firewall or Antivirus Software
Firewall or antivirus software may block Apple Mail from sending emails. To avoid this, temporarily disable the software and try sending an email again. If the email sends successfully, add Apple Mail to the list of trusted applications in the software settings.
5. Outdated Software
Outdated software may cause compatibility issues with Apple Mail. Ensure that macOS and Apple Mail are up to date to avoid any compatibility issues.
By avoiding these common mistakes, you can prevent the “Cannot Send Message Using the Server” error in Apple Mail.
Solutions to fix “Cannot Send Message Using the Server” error in Apple Mail
Now that you understand the reasons behind the “Cannot Send Message Using the Server” error in Apple Mail, it’s time to go through some solutions to fix it. Here are some troubleshooting options that you can try:
Check email account settings
The most common reason for this error is incorrect outgoing mail server settings. To make sure your settings are correct, go to Mail -> Preferences -> Accounts -> Select your email account -> Outgoing Mail Server. Ensure that your email address, password, and other server settings are correct. If not, update them as required.
Reset the SMTP server settings
If the above step doesn’t work, try resetting the SMTP server settings. Go to Mail -> Preferences -> Accounts -> Select your email account -> SMTP. Choose the primary server, and then click on “Remove Server”. Next, click on the “+” sign and re-add the server with the correct settings. Make sure to enter your login credentials, and then try sending a message through the account again.
Verify login credentials
If you’re still experiencing issues, the problem may be with incorrect login credentials. Go to Mail -> Preferences -> Accounts -> Select your email account -> Password. Enter your password again, and try sending a message through the account again.
FAQ about “Cannot Send Message Using the Server” error in Apple Mail
Q: How can I check if my internet connection is causing the error?
A: You can try accessing the internet through a browser or check if other devices are connected to the same network and working correctly. You can also try restarting your modem or router to see if it fixes the issue.
Q: Why does the error occur when trying to send an attachment?
A: This error can occur if the attachment size exceeds the limit set by your email provider, or if there is an issue with the file format. Try sending the attachment after compressing it or using a different file format.
Q: Why does the error message mention the server?
A: This error message is displayed when the Mail app is unable to communicate with the email server to send the email. It can be caused by server issues, incorrect login details, or internet connectivity problems.
By following these troubleshooting options, you should be able to fix the “Cannot Send Message Using the Server” error in Apple Mail and ensure that your email sending is smooth and uninterrupted.