Cannot send mail to mail server in sql server

A common issue!

When you're unable to send mail from a SQL Server instance, there are several potential causes and solutions to explore. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you troubleshoot and resolve the issue:

1. Check the SQL Server Configuration Manager

• Open the SQL Server Configuration Manager (SSCM) on your machine.
• Expand the "SQL Server Network Configuration" section.
• Right-click on "Protocols for [Your SQL Server Instance]" and select "Properties".
• In the "Protocol Properties" window, ensure that the "SMTP" protocol is enabled and set to "Enabled" or "Automatic".
• Restart the SQL Server service to apply the changes.

2. Verify the Mail Server Settings

• Check the mail server settings in the SQL Server instance:
  • Open the "SQL Server Management Studio" (SSMS) and connect to your SQL Server instance.
  • Expand the "Server" node in the Object Explorer.
  • Right-click on "Server Properties" and select "Mail Setup".
  • Verify that the mail server settings are correct, including the server name, port, and authentication settings.

3. Check the SQL Server Agent Service

• Ensure that the SQL Server Agent service is running:
  • Open the "Services" console on your machine.
  • Locate the "SQL Server Agent" service and ensure it's running.
  • If it's not running, start the service and try sending mail again.

4. Check the Mail Profile

• Verify that a mail profile is configured:
  • Open the "SQL Server Management Studio" (SSMS) and connect to your SQL Server instance.
  • Expand the "Server" node in the Object Explorer.
  • Right-click on "Server Properties" and select "Mail Setup".
  • Check if a mail profile is configured. If not, create a new profile or modify an existing one.

5. Check the Mail Server Connectivity

• Test the connectivity to the mail server:
  • Use a tool like Telnet or a mail client (e.g., Outlook) to test the connection to the mail server.
  • Verify that you can send and receive mail using the same settings as the SQL Server instance.

6. Check the SQL Server Error Logs

• Review the SQL Server error logs for any errors related to mail sending:
  • Open the "SQL Server Management Studio" (SSMS) and connect to your SQL Server instance.
  • Expand the "Management" node in the Object Explorer.
  • Right-click on "SQL Server Logs" and select "View" > "SQL Server Log".
  • Search for errors related to mail sending and investigate the cause.

7. Check the SQL Server Version

• Ensure that your SQL Server version supports mail sending:
  • Check the SQL Server version you're running (e.g., SQL Server 2012, SQL Server 2017, etc.).
  • Mail sending is supported in SQL Server 2005 and later versions.

If none of these steps resolve the issue, you may want to consider seeking further assistance from Microsoft Support or a SQL Server expert.