Apple mail this message cannot be downloaded from the server

The frustrating error message!

When you see "This message cannot be downloaded from the server" in Apple Mail, it usually indicates that there's an issue with retrieving the message from the email server. Here are some troubleshooting steps to help you resolve the issue:

  1. Check your internet connection: Ensure that your internet connection is stable and working properly. Restart your router or modem if necessary.
  2. Check your email account settings: Verify that your email account settings are correct and up-to-date. Go to Mail > Preferences > Accounts, select your email account, and click on "Edit SMTP Server List" to check the settings.
  3. Check the email server status: Visit the email server's website or check their status page to see if there are any known issues or outages.
  4. Try downloading the message again: Go back to the message and try downloading it again. You can do this by clicking on the message, then clicking on "Download" or "Get Message" from the menu.
  5. Check for duplicate messages: Sometimes, duplicate messages can cause issues. Try deleting the message and then re-downloading it.
  6. Check for corrupted messages: If you're experiencing issues with multiple messages, it's possible that the messages themselves are corrupted. Try deleting the messages and then re-downloading them.
  7. Reset Apple Mail: Resetting Apple Mail can sometimes resolve issues. To do this, go to Mail > Preferences > General, and click on "Reset" next to "Reset Apple Mail".
  8. Check for updates: Ensure that your Mac and Apple Mail are up-to-date. Go to System Preferences > Software Update to check for updates.
  9. Try using a different email client: If you're still experiencing issues, try using a different email client, such as Microsoft Outlook or Mozilla Thunderbird, to see if the problem persists.
  10. Contact your email provider: If none of the above steps resolve the issue, contact your email provider's support team for further assistance.

I hope these steps help you resolve the issue and get your email messages downloading smoothly again!