'Cannot Get Mail' The connection to the server failed [9 Solutions]

If you can't get mail due to a server connection failure, try these steps: 1. Check internet connectivity. 2. Verify correct mail server settings. 3. Toggle Airplane Mode. 4. Restart the Mail app. 5. Re-enter your password. 6. Remove and re-add the account. 7. Update your system and apps. 8. Disable firewall/antivirus temporarily. 9. Test with another email client.

If you're seeing a "Cannot Get Mail" error with a message that the connection to the server failed, your device is unable to communicate with the mail server. Here are several solutions to resolve this issue:

The operating environment of this tutorial: MacBook Air, macOS Sonoma

1. Check Your Internet Connection

Without a stable internet connection, your mail client cannot reach the server. Confirm that your device is connected to a working network.

• Try loading a website in your browser to verify internet access.
• Switch between Wi-Fi and cellular data (or a different Wi-Fi network) to test connectivity.
• Restart your router if the network seems unstable.

2. Verify Mail Server Settings

Incorrect incoming or outgoing server settings are a common cause of connection failures. Ensure the hostnames, ports, and encryption methods match your email provider's requirements.

• Go to Mail settings and select your account.
• Check the incoming (IMAP/POP) and outgoing (SMTP) server addresses.
• Confirm the correct port numbers (e.g., 993 for IMAP with SSL, 587 for SMTP with TLS).
• Important: Use the exact server settings provided by your email service (e.g., Gmail, Outlook, or your company’s IT department).

3. Toggle Airplane Mode

Resetting your network interfaces can resolve temporary glitches in network communication.

• Enable Airplane Mode for 10 seconds, then disable it.
• This action resets Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular connections, potentially clearing transient network errors.

4. Restart the Mail Application

A temporary software freeze in the mail client can prevent proper server communication.

• Completely close the Mail app from the Dock or using Force Quit.
• Reopen the application and attempt to fetch new messages.

5. Re-enter Your Account Password

An outdated or incorrect password can result in authentication failure, appearing as a connection error.

• Navigate to Mail settings and select your email account.
• Delete the current password and re-enter it carefully.
• Note: If two-factor authentication is enabled, you may need an app-specific password instead of your regular password.

6. Remove and Re-add the Email Account

Corrupted account configurations can prevent successful server connections. Re-adding the account refreshes all settings.

• Delete the problematic email account from the Mail app.
• Restart the Mail app.
• Add the account again by entering your email and password, allowing the system to auto-configure settings.

7. Check for System and App Updates

Bugs in the operating system or Mail app may interfere with server connectivity. Updates often include fixes for known issues.

• Go to System Settings > General > Software Update to check for macOS updates.
• Open the App Store and update any available applications, including system components.

8. Disable Third-Party Firewall or Antivirus Software

Security software may block the Mail app from accessing the internet, especially if it misidentifies the connection as suspicious.

• Temporarily disable any third-party firewall or antivirus tools.
• Test if the Mail app can now connect to the server.
• If the issue resolves, adjust the security software settings to allow the Mail app through the firewall.

9. Test with a Different Email Client

Determining whether the issue is specific to the built-in Mail app helps isolate the problem.

• Install a different email client (e.g., Outlook, Spark, or Thunderbird).
• Configure your email account using the same server settings.
• If the account works in another client, the issue likely lies with the native Mail app’s configuration or cache.

The above is the detailed content of 'Cannot Get Mail' The connection to the server failed [9 Solutions]. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!