Common Outlook Express Errors

Outlook Express comes built-in with the Windows operating system and this is the reason why it is one of the most used email clients used around the world. Being popular, there are also quite a few people who need help in resolving various Outlook Express error messages.

There are many different kinds of Outlook Express errors including Outlook Express SMTP errors, Outlook Express SSL errors, corruption of various Outlook Express folders, interference from third-party software like anti-virus and firewall etc.

Just like any other error, how you fix an Outlook Express error depends on the primary cause of the error. If you don’t follow  standard good practices, Outlook mail errors can occur frequently on your computer.

Let us take a look at some of the common Outlook Express errors and the steps you can take to fix them.

Outlook Express SMTP Errors

SMTP or Simple Mail Transfer Protocol is a standard protocol that most e-mail clients use to send mails. The following are some of the common reasons why Outlook Express SMTP errors occur on your computer:

Incorrect SMTP Settings

While configuring a new email account in Outlook Express, always ensure to enter the correct SMTP settings suggested by your ISP or email account provider, such as Gmail.  Outlook Express SMTP error may occur when the default SMTP port 25 is blocked by your ISP or on your network. To resolve the incorrect SMTP settings issues, follow the steps below:

Talk to your ISP or network administrator for the port on which SMTP transactions are allowed. If you are configuring an online email account like Gmail, you can get the correct SMTP values from the providers help page.

Next, in your Outlook Express, open the Tools menu, and click Accounts. Double-click on your e-mail account to open its properties dialog box. Here, on the Advanced tab, enter the correct SMTP ports used by your ISP or on your network.

Slow Internet Connection or Line Dropping

In this case usually waiting a little solves the problem. You may also try to browse some websites to verify that your Internet connection is working as it should.

Wrong “To” Address Used

The error may also occur if you have added an incorrect “To” address in your email message. You can fix this issue simply by entering the correct email address or addresses to which you want to send your email.

Outlook Express SSL Errors

SSL refers to Secure Sockets Layer, which is a secure communication protocol. When your ISP blocks certain ports, you might need to enable this to use different secure ports for your e-mail. Outlook Express SSL errors occur due to mismatch of settings or due to SSL being unsupported by some POP3 servers etc.

Getting around Outlook Express SSL errors usually involves simply disabling SSL outlined below:

1. Click on Tools and then Accounts
2. Click on the email account that is generating the errors and then click Properties
3. Next, click Advanced
4. Clear the This server requires a secure connection checkboxes for both Incoming mail as well as Outgoing mail

Outlook Mail Errors

There are a few other reasons why Outlook Mail errors might occur:

Interference of Third Party Software

Anti-Virus software and firewalls that offer real-time protection sometimes block incoming as well as outgoing emails. They also scan incoming and outgoing emails, which, although good, considerably slow down the download process or cause errors. To workaround this issue, usually temporarily disabling the anti-virus or firewall during sending/receiving e-mail is enough.

Keep in mind that disabling your security software leaves your computer vulnerable to attacks during this period. Contact the third party vendor for more effective solutions to such problems. Sometimes updates might fix this issue too. You may also opt for user-friendly security tools, such as XoftSpySE that don’t interfere with the functioning of your email software unless something really malicious is downloading.

Corrupt Outlook Express Folders

Corruption of various Outlook Express folders may also generate Outlook mail errors. In such cases, make backups of your Outlook Express folders (.dbx files) and delete them. This makes new folders and solves this problem.