Knowledge Base

Are you trying to send e-mails using your domain name as the outgoing (SMTP) server and you're getting error #  0x800CCC0E?

Is your mail program giving you errors related to sending mail? If so, make sure you read this.

Since about April 2004, more and more ISP's have been blocking all access to port 25 outside of their own networks.

This means if you are trying to use your domain name as your outgoing mail server and your ISP has this block in place, you will not be able to connect to the server.


The reasoning for such a drastic move is to stop spammers. The port in question, port 25, is commonly used by spammers to disguise spam as legitimate e-mail. The problem lies in a lot of businesses using port 25 for their mail servers. If you require port 25, the only option will be contact your current ISP and complain, or failing that  - to change ISP's.


There are 2 options for remedying this...


1. Change your outgoing (SMTP) server to the one provided by your ISP.

This will not affect the way your mail looks or the way your mail is delivered, and when the recipient replies, it will still go to your domain as normal. The only difference is the server the mail is being sent from.

Your ISP should have provided you with the address of their outgoing server.  If they haven't, you will need to contact them to find out.


or...


2. Change your outgoing (SMTP) server to port #587.

The outgoing server port setting can be found in the "Advanced" section when editing the properties of an email account.

In Outlook or Outlook Express, you edit the properties of an account, and then click the "more settings" button and go to the "Advanced" tab.  Look for the "Outgoing Server (SMTP)" field.  If it currently has "25" in it, change it to "587" and make sure you save your settings.

You will need to open any messages stuck in your Outbox, and try sending them again.