send mail timing out

[#1]

I use Thunderbird and recently started to get the following message and I can't send mail, quite often have to retry quite a few times

"Sending of the message failed.
The message could not be sent because the connection to Outgoing server (SMTP) ns.01383.uk timed out. Try again."

I think there is an issue with sending through my broadband with plus.net and I think it's related to sending to outgoing smtp server on port 587 ?

I saw on anothe rpost about a timeout but not sure if that will help ? (and not sure what timeout value to change)

I can send an email immediately when connected to my phone or directly from webmail, The server ns.01383.uk is up and running.  This is actually one of my servers so I know it is up and running

thanks Brian

[#2]

Hi @duncanbbd 

The timeouts could be caused by slow uplink speed?

I can telnet ns.01383.uk on port 587

C:\> telnet ns.01383.uk 587 (telnet on win 10 desktop is not enabled by default)

I get reply 220 ns.01383.uk ESMTP Postfix

a google search give this answer:- to find Options click on the three bars top right corner

How to Prevent Server Timeout Errors in Thunderbird

1. Open The Thunderbird Client
2. Go to Tools; Options; Advanced; General; Config Editor.
3. In filter field type in “mailnews.tcptimeout”.
4. Right click and select Modify.
5. Change the value to a higher number; example 1000 or 2000.

If you still receiving the connection timeout error, then there must be something wrong with your internet connection your computer, or our servers.

See https://www.convertmbox2pst.com/blog/smtp-server-timed-out-in-thunderbird/ for more details

Hope it solves the issue

Dan.

[#3]

thanks for that will check that value a bit later and give it a go.

I uploaded a 1.4GB file earlier without issue.

you found some good info on these links

[#4]

I changed the value to 5000

still timing out.

note I do setup of clients with mail and supposedly know what is needed (e.g starttls, 587, password) etc ;o)

this happens to me on Android phone GMail, I can't send email. I have to turn off wifi on phone to get email to send.

I do disagree with the link you gave that Outlook is better than thunderbird (I know it's not your opinion).  I'd say Thunderbird is better than outlook ;o)

[#5]

speedtest inf

ping: 21ms

download : 52.33 Mbps

upload : 17:20 Mbps

[#6]

That's disappointing it didn't resolve your issue 😑

Are you able to do a telnet test from a pc to the mail server ns.01383.uk, this would prove connectivity from your network!

Maybe further research is required on this issue.

Dan

[#7]

cheers Dan.

connectivity is fine. I can use webmail on that server to send without any problems. I can access other functions without any issue  (e.g SSH and FTP)

will dig about and see what else I can find

thanks again

[#8]

i tried to send an email again just now.

same timeout message.

i quickly changed to hotspot on my Android phone and it sent first time.

[#9]

Hello @duncanbbd

Sorry to hear that you're having issues with the SMTP server. Ae you able to try setting your account up via port 25?

I've seen a couple of comments about an SMTP time out issue today so there might be a wider issue going on.

[#10]

Hi Adam,

no, I am not wanting to use Port 25 due to lack of security.

I'll persevere with it at my end.

sometimes it works and others it doesn't. I just go online with webmail if I have something urgent to send.

thanks for keeping me posted.  let me know if I can help test anything.

[#11]

I'm sure that having a fixed IP address isn't the cause of the issue ?

but let me know if you need it for a test.

I tried to send an email earlier, didnt' work.  tried again just now and it worked fine.

[#12]

Thanks for getting back to us @duncanbbd

Can you private message me screenshots of the settings you're using in Thunderbird to send mail?

[#13]

I will do that shorlty.

maybe a dumb question 🐵

but would one of your server passthrough use an old Lets Encrypt SSL certificate (or the bit that manages it)

my remote mail servers uses Lets Encrypt SSL.

[#14]

Thanks for getting back to me @duncanbbd 

Not as far as I'm aware but try sending mail using our outgoing mail server not through your remote server.

If you're using smtpmail.globalnet.co.uk this doesn't support SSL or STARTTLS but to send mail securely with this, you can use relay.plus.net and the settings explained Here.

Let me know how it goes

[edit]

No idea where I got the idea from you had a Globalnet account. Sorry, ignore that ^

[#15]

just a quick follow up.

not seen any problems in the last 2-3 weeks, mail has been getting sent immediately.

so whatever the issue was seems to have gone

cheers