Troubleshooting error messages that you receive when you try to send and receive e-mail in Outlook and Outlook Express

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SYMPTOMS

When you try to send and receive e-mail, you may receive an error message that resembles one of the following:

• No connection could be made because the target machine actively refused it.

• The server could not be found. (Account:account name, POPserver:'mail', Error Number: 0x800ccc0d)

• Task 'server name - Sending and Receiving' reported error (0x800ccc0f): 'The connection to the server was interrupted. If this problem continues, contact the server administrator or Internet service provider (ISP). The server responded: ? K'

• Your server has unexpectedly terminated the connection. Possible causes of this include server problems, network problems, or a long period of inactivity. Account. account name, Server: 'server name', Protocol: POP3, Server Response: '+OK', Port: 110, Secure(SSL): No, Error Number: 0x800ccc0f

• Task 'SMTP server name - Sending and Receiving' reported error (0x80042109): 'Outlook is unable to connect to your outgoing (SMTP) e-mail server. If you continue to receive this message, contact the server administrator or Internet service provider (ISP).'

• The operation timed out waiting for a response from the receiving (POP) server 0x8004210a

• A time-out occurred while communicating with the server 0x800ccc19

You may also receive an error message that includes one or more of the following error codes:

• 0x800ccc15
• 0x80042108
• 0x800ccc0e
• 0x8004210b
• 0x800ccc0b
• 0x800ccc79
• 0x800ccc67
• 0x80040900
• 0x800ccc81

For more information about resolution for time-out messages, see the "More Information" section.

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CAUSE

These error messages may occur if Microsoft Outlook or Microsoft Outlook Express cannot establish a connection with your e-mail server. These error messages are frequently caused by one of the following:

• You are not connected to the Internet or a network, or your mail server is temporarily unavailable.
• Your account settings are incorrect.
• Your user profile in Outlook is damaged.
• An e-mail item on your POP3 server is damaged.
• The configuration of your AV software is incorrect.
• Outlook Express was removed from the computer or the installation is damaged.
• The configuration of your personal firewall software is incorrect.

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RESOLUTION

The methods described in this article are for both beginning and advanced users. 

The most common causes of these error messages are problems with Internet connectivity and account settings configured incorrectly in Outlook or Outlook Express. First, verify that you are connected to the Internet. To do this, go to method 1.

Method 1: Verify that you are connected to the Internet

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Method 2: Verify your account settings

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Advanced troubleshooting

If you still have problems sending and receiving mail after you have verified your e-mail server settings with your e-mail service provider, the following steps provide advanced troubleshooting. If you are not comfortable with advanced troubleshooting, you might want to ask someone for help or contact Support. For information about how to do this, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

Select a Product Solution Center

Perform the following methods in order. If one method does not resolve the issue, move on to the next one.
 

Method 3: Start Outlook in safe mode

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Method 4: Create a new e-mail profile

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Method 5: Delete suspicious messages from your mailbox

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Method 6: Check your antivirus vendor's Web site for additional suggestions

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Method 7: Repair Outlook Express

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Method 8: Verify that all SMTP e-mail addresses in a distribution list are valid

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Method 9: Examine the configuration of your firewall software

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MORE INFORMATION

If the error code is accompanied by a time-out error message, you may be able to resolve this problem by increasing the server time-out setting in Outlook or Outlook Express. To increase the server time-out setting, use the following method that is appropriate for your version of Outlook or Outlook Express.

Outlook 2000 Corporate or Workgroup mode (CW)

1. Start Outlook.
2. On the Tools menu, click Services.
3. On the Services tab, select Internet E-mail, and then click Properties.
4. Click the Advanced tab.
5. Gradually increase the server time-out setting until the problem is resolved.

Outlook 2000 Internet Mail Only (IMO)

1. Start Outlook.
2. On the Tools menu, click Accounts.
3. Select the target account, and then click Properties.
4. Click the Advanced tab.
5. Gradually increase the server time-out setting until the problem is resolved.

Outlook 2002 and Outlook 2003

1. Start Outlook.
2. On the Tools menu, click E-mail Accounts.
3. Click View or change existing e-mail accounts, and then click Next.
4. Click your POP3 account, and then click Change.
5. Click More Settings.
6. Click the Advanced tab.
7. Gradually increase the server time-out setting until the issue is resolved.

Outlook 2007

1. Start Outlook.
2. On the Tools menu, click Account Settings.
3. Click to select the target POP3 account, and then click Change.
4. Click More Settings.
5. Click the Advanced tab.
6. Gradually increase the server time-out setting until the issue is resolved.

Outlook 2010

1. Start Outlook.
2. On the Files menu, click Info.
3. Click Account Settings, and then select Account Settings from the list.
4. Click to select the target POP3 account, and then click Change.
5. Click More Settings.
6. Click the Advanced tab.
7. Gradually increase the server time-out setting until the issue is resolved.

Outlook Express 5.x and 6.0

1. Start Outlook Express.
2. On the Tools menu, click Accounts.
3. Click the Mail tab.
4. Click your POP3 account, and then click Properties.
5. Click the Advanced tab.
6. Gradually increase the server time-out setting until the problem is resolved.

The third-party products that this article discusses are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, about the performance or reliability of these products.

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NEXT STEPS

If these methods did not work for you, you can use the Microsoft Customer Support Services Web site to find other solutions to your problem. Some services that the Microsoft Customer Support Services Web sites provide include the following:

• Searchable Knowledge Base : Search technical support information and self-help tools for Microsoft products.
• Solution Centers : View product-specific frequently asked questions and support highlights.
• Microsoft Customer Support Newsgroups : Contact counterparts, peers, and Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals (MVPs).
• Other Support Options : Use the Web to ask a question, contact Microsoft Customer Support Services, or provide feedback.

Original Article: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/813514