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Outlook Express Problems And TroubleShooting

Last Updated: May 27, 2015

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A look at some commonly encountered problems with Outlook express and how to troubleshoot and  resolve them.

Problem(s)

  • Unable to access Email.
  • Outlook Express complains that no account is setup
Causes
  • This is usually cause by incorrect account configuration either because Outlook Express failed to import previous settings correctly or you have manually setup up the configuration incorrectly.
  • It can also be caused by the presence of a firewall
Resolution

See

Problem(s)

You have problems logging in or accessing your mail server typical error message is:

There was a problem logging onto your mail server. Your Password was rejected. Account: ‘mail.onetel.net.uk’, Server: ‘mail.onetel.net.uk’, Protocol: POP3, Server Response: ‘-ERR Message Server said: Invalid login’, Port: 110, Secure(SSL): No, Server Error: 0x800CCC90, Error Number: 0x800CCC92

The connection to the server has failed. Account: ‘mail.onetel.net.uk’, Server: ‘ ‘mail.onetel.net.uk’, Protocol: POP3, Port: 110, Secure(SSL): No, Socket Error: 10061, Error Number: 0x800CCC0E


The host ‘mail.onetel.net.uk’ could not be found. Please verify that you have entered server name correctly. Account:’yourname’, Server ‘mail.onetel.net.uk’, protocol: POP3, Port:110’Secure(SSL):No, Socket Error:11001,Error Number 0x800CCC0D.

Causes

  • If this is an initial setup then the most likely cause is incorrect account configuration -see above.
  • If the message suddenly appears then it could be that the account password has become corrupt.
  • A firewall is blocking access

Resolution

Follow through the procedure in Setup Outlook Express Email and re-enter the username and password. If this doesn’t solve it create a new account with the same account details but don’t delete the original one just disable it by unticking the box next to the account.

To eliminate firewall problems go to a command prompt and type:

telnet smtpservername 25

If you get a response like:

220 smtpservername ESMTP

Then the firewall is not blocking you if you get an unable to establish connection message then the firewall is causing a problem. You need to enable access to ports 25 (SMTP) and 110(pop3) on your firewall and it should work ok.

NOTE: Windows XP has a firewall built into the operating system which you can disable/configure.

If that still doesn’t solve it then try resetting the TCP/IP stack on windows XP:

Click on Start, then Run
Type cmd and press the Enter
Type in netsh int ip reset c:\resetlog.txt

Problem(s)

Error sending messages -SMTP, Server Response: ‘530 authentication required .

Causes

Your SMTP server requires authentication

Resolution

 

  • From the Tools menu, choose Accounts.
  • Select the Mail tab.
  • Double-click the account
  • Select the Servers tab.
  • Check the box next to My Server Requires Authentication.
  • Usually you use the same account for POP3 for authentication. If not then you need to enter the account details.
  • Click OK.

 

Problem(s)

  • No images in Html email
  • No attachments or attachments missing

Causes

New anti-spam and virus measures in windows XP and OE.

Resolution

Problem(s)

  • Messages missing in inbox
  • Hotmail messages download twice
  • error sending messages
  • messages stuck in outbox
  • Msimm.exe error

Causes

  • Corrupt Database

Resolution

For general details on repairing corrupt databases see these Microsoft articles :

 

Problem

Hyperlinks not Working in Outlook Express Email

Causes

Installed a new browser, add on, toolbar etc that have changed the default settings

Resolution

  • Start Internet Explorer
  • Select the Tools->Internet Options menu
  • Select the Programs tab
  • Look for a checkbox labelled “Internet Explorer should check to see whether it is the default browser“
  • If this checkbox is not ticked, then this is the cause of the problem, so tick it!
  • Click OK
  • Close Internet Explorer and Re-open Internet Explorer
  • Close Outlook Express and Re-open Outlook Express

If that doesn’t work see the Microsoft KB article “Send To” and E-mail Links Do Not Work Using Outlook Express as Default

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