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Apple Mail “smtp.xxxx.com:xxxxx” offline

I have 2 gmail accounts configured under “Mail” and over the last few days 1 of my accounts when sending a new email shows the “smtp.gmail.com:xxxxx” as “Offline”, if I forced a send from it, I would have to type my password in again. Then it would send, but go back offline.

Even when re-setting the password under the Mail Account Prefs, no difference.

Here’s what worked for me.

1. Start a new message

2. Pull down the “smtp.gmail.com: xxxx” menu and select “EDIT smtp server list”

3. Click on the account that’s going “Offline”, select “Advanced”

4. Fill in the password and close.

I don’t know why, but the account that was having issues did NOT have my password saved (even though it was “saved” under the normal account preferences area).

All seems well again, even after closing and opening mail etc.

The very strange thing is, the “EDIT smtp server list” seems to be a sub-menu under the normal Account preferences, that can’t be accessed except the above way. Odd.

Hope this helps.

Published inAppleEmail

5 Comments

  1. This worked perfectly! Been trying to work out what the hell was going on for ages.

    Well done.

    Thanks!

    Damon.

  2. Decco1 Decco1

    Thanks that seems to have sorted an identical problem here BUT my outbox seems to have slipped off the horizon [ie prior to implementing your solution NOT after] and hasn’t returned despite fixing as above – any suggestions?? Thanks

  3. Jade Wah'oo Grigori Jade Wah'oo Grigori

    Thanks! This did the trick.

  4. Chris Chris

    Fantastic! THANK YOU!

  5. yosi sofer yosi sofer

    can you please send me a Screenshots of this action?

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