Mail won't send on mac

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

Check the basics

  1. Internet connection: Ensure you have a stable internet connection. Try opening a web browser to check if you can access the internet.
  2. Mail app: Make sure the Mail app is open and not minimized or hidden.
  3. Account settings: Verify that your email account settings are correct. Go to Mail > Preferences > Accounts, and check that your email address, password, and server settings are correct.

Common issues and solutions

  1. Server connection issues: If you're experiencing issues connecting to your email server, try the following:
    • Check your server settings: Go to Mail > Preferences > Accounts > [Your Email Account] > Advanced > Server Settings. Ensure the server settings are correct.
    • Try restarting the Mail app or your Mac.
  2. Authentication issues: If you're having trouble authenticating with your email server, try:
    • Checking your password: Ensure your password is correct and up-to-date.
    • Enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) if your email provider requires it.
  3. Outgoing mail issues: If you're having trouble sending emails, try:
    • Checking your outgoing mail server settings: Go to Mail > Preferences > Accounts > [Your Email Account] > Advanced > Server Settings. Ensure the outgoing mail server settings are correct.
    • Disabling any firewalls or antivirus software that might be blocking outgoing mail.
  4. Mail app cache issues: Try clearing the Mail app cache:
    • Go to Mail > Preferences > Accounts > [Your Email Account] > Advanced > Server Settings.
    • Click the "Reset" button next to "Outgoing Mail Server".
    • Restart the Mail app.

Additional troubleshooting steps

  1. 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 issues.
  2. Try a different email client: If you're using a third-party email client, try using the built-in Mail app on your Mac to see if the issue persists.
  3. Reset the Mail app: If none of the above steps work, try resetting the Mail app:
    • Go to System Preferences > Mail, Contacts, Calendars.
    • Click the "Reset" button next to "Reset Mailbox".
    • Restart your Mac.

If none of these steps resolve the issue, you may want to consider seeking further assistance from your email provider's support team or a Mac support specialist.