Software Development:
Individual Programming

Symptom

If you try to retrieve emails from your inbox, your mail software is unable to connect to the server.

Cause

A security software on your computer blocks the connection to the server's mail port.

Solution

Check the settings of your antivirus software. It has often been observed that antivirus programs block certain ports. For example, the Avira software blocks the IMAP port 143, but allows mail to pass on port 993. By changing the setting either in your antivirus software or in your mail program you can bypass the blockage. Similar blockages have also been observed in other programs, e.g. Kaspersky and McAfee security programs. You can easily test if security software is blocking a port by temporarily disabling or removing the security software and then trying to connect to the mail server again.

Overview of frequently asked questions