# Outlook can send but does not receive email **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 19, 2007, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outlook-can-send-but-does-not-receive-email/388625 "2007-01-19T21:06:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2007, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outlook-can-send-but-does-not-receive-email/388625/1 "2007-01-19T21:06:06Z")
I’ll let ny friend describe her problem. > [@](#): > > The problem is with Outlook, not AOL. (I use AOL for free email, but view / store / send / receive everything in Outlook. Rarely open AOL). > > Why can I receive but not send? (As of 10:52 yesterday morning). I have rechecked all the IMAP and SMTP settings, etc. But I keep getting messages from the system administrator (WHAT administrator? Outlook?) that the message is undeliverable. Transfer failure 554. > > I am in computer hell. I have called my ISP, Roadrunner. Called Microsoft. Called AOL (who will not take calls from users of their free service). Am now on hold with Dell (since my Microsoft Office suite is OEM). Dell will, undoubtedly, send me back to Microsoft. And, I have spent two days trying to figure out the problem myself on line. My Outlook will still not send out mail! IIRC, she’s running XP and Outlook 2003. So, any guesses? What is a “transfer failure 554”? ---
**Author:** ![Smitty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@Smitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smitty)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2007, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outlook-can-send-but-does-not-receive-email/388625/2 "2007-01-19T21:22:56Z")
See if she is authenticating with the smtp server. It probably requires that she does in order to prevent the server from being used as a spam relay. Click the circle-box “My outgoing server (SMTP) requires authentication”, and verify that the circle-box “Use same settings as my incoming mail server” is selected. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2007, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outlook-can-send-but-does-not-receive-email/388625/3 "2007-01-19T21:27:42Z")
Error 554 is a generic “Transaction Failed” error in SMTP. It could mean any number of problems. First thing to do is to read [this](http://members.aol.com/adamkb/aol/mailfaq/imap/) page which explains how to set up your email client to access AOL’s IMAP/SMTP servers. Note that to send mail through, the server requires authentication, so you must check the appropriate box in your email account settings in Outlook. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2007, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outlook-can-send-but-does-not-receive-email/388625/4 "2007-01-19T21:36:06Z")
[QUOTE=Smitty] …the circle-box… [/QUOTE] I have never before heard anyone call a radio button a “circle-box”. It took me a minute or two to realize what you meant. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2007, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outlook-can-send-but-does-not-receive-email/388625/5 "2007-01-19T21:51:49Z")
Is it as in “it might be a circle and it might be a box?” Thanks! I passed along your suggestions and look forward to the next seven hours being away from email so I don’t read any more panic attacks. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2007, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outlook-can-send-but-does-not-receive-email/388625/6 "2007-01-20T04:40:18Z")
I came home to two identical–except for their format and one had an obvious Outlook signature–replies to the same email from her so it looks like she’s back in action. Thank you again for your help! ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2007, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outlook-can-send-but-does-not-receive-email/388625/7 "2007-01-20T06:20:30Z")
I was wrong; the other one was from her Blackberry. I suggested a temporary fix was to give up on Outlook but is that BS? or is there a way to really fix this? ---
**Author:** ![GiantRat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@GiantRat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GiantRat)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2007, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outlook-can-send-but-does-not-receive-email/388625/8 "2007-01-20T06:44:28Z")
[QUOTE=dropzone] I was wrong; the other one was from her Blackberry. I suggested a temporary fix was to give up on Outlook but is that BS? or is there a way to really fix this? [/QUOTE] Sounds like an incoming vs. outgoing mail server problem. She’s probably using AOL email via Outlook, but AOL isn’t her service provider. The service provider’s outgoing (SMTP) server must be specified. The incoming mail server would be AOL’s mail server. For example, if her ISP were “yourlocalisp,” her server settings would be something like: Outgoing server (POP3): [mail.aol.com](http://mail.aol.com) (or whatever aol’s mail server is) Incoming server (SMTP): [mail.yourlocalisp.com](http://mail.yourlocalisp.com) I’d bet the ranch (if I had one) that that’s her problem; I’ve seen it a hundred times. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2007, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outlook-can-send-but-does-not-receive-email/388625/9 "2007-01-21T02:14:55Z")
I passed it along, GiantRat. She’s blaming AOL but can’t understand why it’s worked for years but stopped working suddenly. One of her ideas is to change email providers, maybe to one from her ISP, which sounds like would inadvertantly fix her problem. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2007, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outlook-can-send-but-does-not-receive-email/388625/10 "2007-01-22T03:08:12Z")
> [@My Friend](#): > > Create and Configure a New AOL® or AIM® E-mail Account in the Outlook Software > > After the AOL or AIM e-mail account is set up, the Outlook software must be correctly configured to be able to connect to the AOL® or AIM® service. > > To create and configure a new AOL or AIM e-mail account in the Outlook software: > > 1. Launch the Microsoft Outlook software. > 2. Click the Tools menu, then click E-mail Accounts… > 3. Choose the Add a new e-mail account option by clicking it, then click the Next button. > 4. Choose the IMAP option by clicking it, then click the Next button. > 5. In the Your Name: box, type your name as you wish it to appear on outgoing e-mail. > 6. In the E-mail Address: box, type your full AOL® or AIM® e-mail address; for example, [GabbyGrace@aol.com](mailto:GabbyGrace@aol.com) or [GabbyGrace@aim.com](mailto:GabbyGrace@aim.com). > 7. In the User Name: box, type your AOL® or AIM® screen name, for example, GabbyGrace. > 8. In the Password: box, type your AOL® or AIM® password. > 9. In the Incoming mail server (IMAP): box, type [imap.aol.com](http://imap.aol.com) or [imap.aim.com](http://imap.aim.com). > 10. In the Outgoing mail server (SMTP): box, type [smtp.aol.com](http://smtp.aol.com) or [smtp.aim.com](http://smtp.aim.com). > 11. Click the More Settings button. > 12. Click the Outgoing Server tab. > 13. Click the My outgoing server requires authentication box to place a check mark in it. > 14. Choose the Use same settings as my incoming mail server option by clicking it, then click the Advanced tab. > 15. In the Outgoing mail (SMTP): box, type 587, then click the OK button. > 16. Click the Next button. > 17. Click the Finish button. > > This is exactly what I have done. But no email will go out. > > This is the message I get: > > Your message did not reach some or all of the intended recipients. > > ``` > Subject: RE: My email problems > Sent: 1/19/2007 2:15 PM > > ``` > > The following recipient(s) could not be reached: > > ``` > 'dropzone' on 1/19/2007 2:15 PM > 554 TRANSACTION FAILED > > ``` > > I have also tried turning off my firewall. That did not correct the problem. Which, to review, came out of the blue. I changed nothing. It just stopped sending email out!!! Evan a system restore did not correct the problem. > > But when I send using a POP with another server, using port 25 (not 587 as required by AOL), the mail goes out. So the problem has to be one with port 587. Note the dates on the failed message, though. I haven’t received verification that she did what **GiantRat** suggested yesterday before sending the quoted message today. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2007, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outlook-can-send-but-does-not-receive-email/388625/11 "2007-01-22T12:40:01Z")
I suggest she type in the email address for your account, looking for an error in the address. Make sure she doesn’t use a address book entry to send the test email. Are the emails being initiated by reply to sender? It will take the information from your email to reply. Your original email could have an error in the email information. On your computer from the outlook menu open tools - accounts. Go to the mail tab and click on the account you want to examine. Click on properties. Click on the general tab. Look for the User information, and scrutinise the E\_mail Address. Did you see an error? Fix it if you did. An error in that entry, will prevent a reply to sender from getting back to you. It may have put the wrong address into her address book also, if it was auto entered from an email you sent her with the wrong user email address filled in. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2007, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outlook-can-send-but-does-not-receive-email/388625/12 "2007-01-22T14:17:56Z")
[QUOTE=Harmonious Discord] I suggest she type in the email address for your account, looking for an error in the address. Make sure she doesn’t use a address book entry to send the test email. [/QUOTE] I believe her problem involves ALL outgoing email. But since I’m not sure she’s done any of the things suggested since Friday, I’m not sure. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2007, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outlook-can-send-but-does-not-receive-email/388625/13 "2007-01-22T15:32:59Z")
[QUOTE=dropzone] I believe her problem involves ALL outgoing email. But since I’m not sure she’s done any of the things suggested since Friday, I’m not sure. [/QUOTE] The second paragraph deals with your outlook email program and not her’s. Your user information may be causing an incorrect address in any replies. I’m not saying she isn’t the end that falls down here, but give your settings a check. The error message dhe get’s looks like something they send back to her because the address doesn’t exist. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2007, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outlook-can-send-but-does-not-receive-email/388625/14 "2007-01-22T17:07:42Z")
Please note she’s having that problem with everybody she emails, not just me. I re-sent her GiantRat’s idea and got this reply: > [@](#): > > If you look at what I just sent, the outgoing server must be [smtp.aol.com](http://smtp.aol.com). Using port 587. That is what I have configured. Incoming server is [imap.aol.com](http://imap.aol.com) Port 143. Which I have. Re-read the instructions I just sent you. > > AND IT WORKED THUSLY. FOR MONTHS. THEN SUDDENLY STOPPED. THURSDAY MORNING. AT 10:51. She’s talked to MS, AOL, and her ISP and has gotten no help, which is why she’s so testy. Serves her right for using AOL, but that’s just my opinion. I use Yahoo, not Outlook, so I have no problems and can email from any computer. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2007, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outlook-can-send-but-does-not-receive-email/388625/15 "2007-01-22T18:26:43Z")
Okey Dokey. I was making sure you understood my post, which I’m good at making convoluted at times. I feel the same about AOL. ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Straight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dec6dc/32.png) [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2007, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outlook-can-send-but-does-not-receive-email/388625/16 "2007-01-22T18:27:23Z")
I have the opposite problem with Outlook Express: I can recieve but not send email. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![isaaccs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/90db22/32.png) [@isaaccs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/isaaccs)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2007, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outlook-can-send-but-does-not-receive-email/388625/17 "2007-01-22T22:59:54Z")
If you didn’t adjust any settings in your Outlook, and based on the message you’re getting, this problem has nothing to do with Outlook or your configuration. If your configuration is wrong, you’ll get an error message telling you a server couldn’t be found, or that you need to provide your password, etc. What you won’t get is an e-mail back from the System Administrator giving you an error code of 554. You’ve been blocked by AOL. [http://postmaster.aol.com/errors/554rlyb1.html](http://postmaster.aol.com/errors/554rlyb1.html) You can try sending AOL support an e-mail about it, but considering who you’re dealing with, you might be best to move on to a yahoo or gmail account… Good luck ---
**Author:** ![Smitty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@Smitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smitty)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2007, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outlook-can-send-but-does-not-receive-email/388625/18 "2007-01-22T23:02:55Z")
[QUOTE=Q.E.D.] I have never before heard anyone call a radio button a “circle-box”. It took me a minute or two to realize what you meant. [/QUOTE] I can’t believe I wrote that… :smack: ---
**Author:** ![isaaccs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/90db22/32.png) [@isaaccs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/isaaccs)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2007, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outlook-can-send-but-does-not-receive-email/388625/19 "2007-01-22T23:12:33Z")
Apparently a 554 block is removed after twenty-four hours, so it should start working again at that time. Is it possible someone has hijacked her account/computer and used it to send SPAM? That would explain the block from AOL. Of course AOL is a little block happy… so maybe she didn’t do anything. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2007, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outlook-can-send-but-does-not-receive-email/388625/20 "2007-01-23T03:32:17Z")
Interesting, **isaaccs**! I’ll pass it along. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outlook-can-send-but-does-not-receive-email/388625.md?page=2)