Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
6. Return to the Advanced view from Step 5 just previously. Choose a different
authentication method, click OK, and repeat the check in Connection Doctor.
Repeat this step up to five times, trying each method (including None) in turn. If
that doesn't work…
7. Back in the Advanced view, toggle the Use Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) checkbox,
click OK, and repeat the check in Connection Doctor.
8. If that doesn't work, try the suggestions for fixing a blocked port, next.
Fix the “Blocked Port” Problem
Many ISPs routinely block the use of port 25—the “channel” most email programs use to send
mail—except for email originating within that ISP's network and sent via its own SMTP serv-
ers. For example, if you're a Kabletown customer and connect via a cable modem from your
home, you could send email via Kabletown's SMTP server through port 25. But you couldn't
send mail using, say, smtp.me.com on port 25 (because that server is outside the network
from which you're connecting); similarly, if you take your laptop to a coffee shop, whose net-
work service is provided by another ISP, that network may block port 25, preventing you
from reaching your regular Kabletown SMTP server while you're away from home.
Either way, the result is an error message when you try sending email from a particular ac-
count—even though you might be able to send from that account at another location, or from
another account at your current location.
One way to solve this problem is to switch to a different port—one that isn't blocked. For this
to work, your email provider must support the use of the alternative port. To learn if they do,
check their Web site or contact their technical support department…or just guess. The most
commonly used alternative ports are 465 and 587, and Mail in Mavericks is smart enough to
try these two ports automatically if port 25 doesn't work. However, if your provider uses a
less-common port (such as 2525), you can enter that manually:
1. Choose Mail > Preferences > Accounts >
Account Name
> Account Information.
2. From the Outgoing Mail Server (SMTP) pop-up menu, choose Edit SMTP Server
List.
3. Confirm that the correct SMTP server is already selected in the list at the top; if
not, select the one you want.
4. In the Advanced view below, select Use Custom Port, enter the port number
(whatever your email provider tells you) in the adjacent field, and click OK.
