VM outgoing email issues, partially sorted...

[thetcutkid]

Today, 15Jul24, I’ve experienced problems sending email from Outlook on two email addresses I’ve had for over 20 years that are always in regular use, one is from @ntlworld.com days and the other is a domain I rent through Get Dotted (previously Freeola).

Initially the error was the same on both email addresses, on trying to send an email I received the following error message…

Sending' reported error (0x800CCC78) : 'Cannot send the message. Verify the e-mail address in your account properties. The server responded: 530 5.1.0 Authentication Required (VM401)

A quick search of the forum and I found the post from a few weeks ago by DeLorean regarding an outgoing SMTP mail server error. Following his advice to tick the ‘My outgoing server (SMTP) requires authentication’ check box in the settings for each account, the old @ntlworld.com email address is now working fine.

The email linked to the rented domain is not.

Now, with the 'outgoing server requires authentication' check box ticked, each time I try and send an email, I’m presented with a pop-up window showing the login details for the outgoing server, both username and password fields are already completed and if I click ok, the window disappears for a moment only to reappear and prompt me to login again. It’s like I’m stuck in a loop the only way to stop it is to cancel the window at which point you get the following error message…

Sending' reported error (0x800CCC92) : 'Your e-mail server rejected your login. Verify your user name and password for this account in Account Settings.'

I'm a little bit stumped, none of the settings on my email accounts, nor the login details, have changed in years, so can anyone advise on what’s suddenly changed and how I might fix it?

Many thanks for your time.

[Bizmuth]

I get similar errors when I try to send emails from my iPhone. I get a Failed to send error, stating smtp login or password failed. Like you I haven’t changed it in years, why does it suddenly and randomly stop working like this?

[goslow]

Do your Freeola email settings match those here?

https://freeola.com/support/category/e-mail-help-guides.html

If it is your Freeola email account with the issue, and your VM email is now working, you should contact Freeola support who will be best placed to help.

[goslow]

---

@Bizmuth wrote:

I get similar errors when I try to send emails from my iPhone. I get a Failed to send error, stating smtp login or password failed. Like you I haven’t changed it in years, why does it suddenly and randomly stop working like this?

---

You would do best to start your own topic for your own query.

The most simple change, for the most recent issues, seems to be to enable SMTP authentication as per

https://community.virginmedia.com/t5/Email/Can-t-send-email-from-apple-devices/td-p/5540980

for Apple devices

[thetcutkid]

Thanks for your reply goslow.

Short answer to your question is no, the settings for the email account in question were not set up exactly as shown in your link.

Slightly longer answer is that I called Freeola and they explained that as I was basically still using a legacy ntl/VM outgoing mail server there was little they could do from their end - it might start working again tomorrow, in 5 mins or a week next Tuesday. The settings I had on that email account were also ancient, yes they should still work but Freeola changed one of them about 17 years ago!

Logging into my Freeola control panel (probably 17 years ago when I last did that tbh lol) and since I only have one email address with them, there was a free upgrade available which apparently enables me to use Freeola's own outgoing mail server which, should problems like this arise, they can help trouble shoot.

Anyway, to be on the safe side I backed all my emails up, took advantage of the upgrade and then changed all the settings inline with the info on my Freeola control panel and it's now working perfectly.

I must say I'm definitely someone who falls into the 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' category so I've been going along merrily not really thinking that settings might have changed if my email is working perfectly but perhaps it does pay to check that settings are up to date from time to time.

Thanks for your time.