Apple mail outgoing mail server offline

The frustration of an offline outgoing mail server in Apple Mail!

Don't worry, I'm here to help you troubleshoot the issue. Here are some steps to help you resolve the problem:

Step 1: Check your internet connection

Ensure that your internet connection is stable and working properly. Restart your router, modem, or internet service provider (ISP) if necessary.

Step 2: Check your email account settings

  1. Open Apple Mail on your Mac.
  2. Click on "Mail" in the top menu bar and select "Preferences."
  3. Click on the "Accounts" tab.
  4. Select your email account from the list of accounts.
  5. Click on the "Advanced" tab.
  6. Check the "Outgoing Mail Server" settings:
    • Make sure the "SMTP" server is set to the correct server address (e.g., smtp.gmail.com for Gmail).
    • Verify that the "Port" is set to the correct port number (e.g., 587 for Gmail).
    • Ensure that the "Authentication" is set to "Password" or "OAuth" (depending on your email provider's requirements).

Step 3: Check your email provider's status

Visit your email provider's website or social media pages to see if there are any known outages or maintenance issues affecting their outgoing mail servers.

Step 4: Restart Apple Mail

  1. Close Apple Mail.
  2. Restart your Mac.
  3. Open Apple Mail again.

Step 5: Check for updates

Make sure your Mac and Apple Mail are up to date. Go to System Preferences > Software Update to check for any available updates.

Step 6: Reset Apple Mail

If none of the above steps resolve the issue, try resetting Apple Mail:

  1. Go to System Preferences > Mail, Contacts, Calendars.
  2. Click on the "Accounts" tab.
  3. Select your email account from the list of accounts.
  4. Click the "-" button at the bottom left corner of the window to remove the account.
  5. Restart your Mac.
  6. Re-add your email account to Apple Mail.

Step 7: Contact your email provider's support

If none of the above steps resolve the issue, it's possible that the problem lies with your email provider's outgoing mail server. Contact their support team to report the issue and ask for assistance.

I hope these steps help you resolve the issue with your Apple Mail outgoing mail server being offline.