Mail 2.0 Help
Verifying your SMTP server
If Mail displays an alert stating that it cannot send messages using a specific SMTP server, or you are otherwise having trouble sending messages, it's possible you are not using the required server or the server is not configured correctly. Verify your SMTP server and make changes, as necessary.
To check your outgoing mail server:
- Choose Mail > Preferences, and then click Accounts.
- Select an account.
- In the Account Information pane, use the following information to review the SMTP server the account is using:
- Make sure the server is one specified by your ISP or network provider. If necessary, choose a different server from the Outgoing Mail Server pop-up menu. To configure a new server, choose Add Server from the pop-up menu.
- If the server name is misspelled, click Server Settings and then correct the spelling.
- If the server is obsolete, choose Edit Server List from the pop-up menu, select the server, and then click Remove Server. Do not remove an SMTP server that is in use by an account.
If you use your computer on a different network, such as a wireless AirPort network at a coffee shop, your regular mail server might not accept and send your messages. Try using another SMTP server listed in your Mail preferences. For example, send a message from your home account using the SMTP server at your office.
When you choose a different SMTP server for an account, all messages you send from that account will use that server, until the network status changes. The status changes when you move from one network to another (for example, work to home), if you put your computer to sleep and wake it up in a different network environment, or if you unplug your Ethernet cable and turn on AirPort.
See also