Subject: Alternate SMTP Port for Outlook Express and Outlook (Windows)

There are three versions of Outlook that are most commonly used, all of which are outlined in this article.

A common issue currently with Internet Service Providers is that they block port 25. This is the port that an email program uses to send email messages. They do this to try to reduce the spam that is generated directly from their customers.

Symptoms

1. Unable to send email messages all of a sudden. However, messages are still received.

2. Getting one of these two errors:
The connection to the server has failed. Account: 'Your Name', Server: 'mail.EXAMPLE.com', Protocol: SMTP, Port: 25, Secure(SSL): No, Socket Error: 10061, Error Number: 0x800CCC0E
-or-
Task 'Account Name - Sending' reported error (0x80042109) : 'Outlook is unable to connect to your outgoing (SMTP) e-mail server. If you continue to receive this message, contact your server administrator or Internet service provider (ISP).'

Outlook (Express, 97 or 2000)

1. From the Tools menu, select Accounts

2. Select the email account to be SMTP-authenticated and click on the PROPERTIES button.

3. On the "Advanced" tab, you'll see the port settings for both incoming mail (POP3/IMAP" and outgoing mail (SMTP). By default, the SMTP port is probably set to '25'.

4. Select the number displayed next to "Outgoing server (SMTP)" and change it to 8889.

5. Hit the "OK" button to close the "Internet E-mail Settings" window. Click on the "Next" button, then the "Finish" button.

Outlook (XP and 2003 or newer) that comes with Microsoft Office

1. From the menu item "Tools" select "Accounts." Click on the NEXT button. Click on the CHANGE button. Click on the MORE SETTINGS button.

2. On the "Advanced" tab, you'll see the port settings for both incoming mail (POP3/IMAP" and outgoing mail (SMTP). By default, the SMTP port is probably set to '25'.

3. Select the number displayed next to "Outgoing server (SMTP)" and change it to 8889.

4. Click on the buttons OKAY, NEXT, FINISH.

Outlook that comes with Microsoft Office Corporate

1. In Outlook, on the Tools menu, click Services. Click Internet e-mail, and then click Properties.

2. On the "Advanced" tab, you'll see the port settings for both incoming mail (POP3/IMAP" and outgoing mail (SMTP). By default, the SMTP port is probably set to '25'.

3. Select the number displayed next to "Outgoing server (SMTP)" and change it to 8889.

4. Click on the buttons OKAY, NEXT, FINISH.

** If the ISP's SMTP server was being used, change it to mail.EXAMPLE.com where EXAMPLE.com is your domain name. You should now be able to send mail from your domain, regardless of the ISP you are using.