SMTP problems from Italy

Jowyta · 6 Dec 2015, 07:11 AM

A friend and I were in Italy earlier this year. We both use Runbox. I was able to send messages using SMTP from my netbook computer using Icedove (Debian's version of Thunderbird) on a GNU/Linux operating system. My friend was using K9 on an Android 'phone using the same account settings as me but was unable to send any messages. Any ideas what the problem might be?

n5bb · 6 Dec 2015, 07:31 AM

Welcome to the EMD Forums!

Were you using the same Internet service provider connection? If the netbook was on a wired or WiFi network and the phone was using a cellular network connection there might be significant differences. If messages could be read but not sent the problem may be with port blocking at the ISP. For example, most providers now block port 25 and some other ports.

Bill

Jowyta · 11 Dec 2015, 03:08 PM

Thanks for responding, Bill. We were both using the same WiFi network.

John

kservik · 15 Dec 2015, 08:44 AM

Did SMTP work for him with the same settings previously? If he does not know, what is the SMTP settings used?

DigitalOrchard · 15 Dec 2015, 10:12 AM

Yes, posting the exact settings here (without username and password) would be very helpful to know what's going on. Can you share that info?

The settings _should_ match:

Outgoing Server (SMTP): mail.runbox.com
Port: 465 (preferred) or 587
Secure/Encrypted Connection: Yes/On (SSL/TLS for port 465 or STARTTLS for port 587)
Authentication: Password

As found in this support document.

kservik · 15 Dec 2015, 10:18 AM

It is also worth noting that some email clients say TLS when they mean STARTTLS (post 587) and SSL when they mean SSL/TLS (port 465).

It can be a bit confusing.

Jowyta · 16 Dec 2015, 06:28 PM

Thanks for those ideas. I have checked the settings on our devices and I find that we have both been using secure.runbox.com for outgoing SMTP. Mostly it has worked but maybe there are some circumstances in which it can cause problems.
Also I was using STARTTLS on port 587 but my friend was using SSL/TLS on port 465 in K9 on her android phone. We now have them all set up according to the recommended settings.
She is off to Sicily tomorrow so we will see how she gets on.

John

6 Dec 2015, 07:11 AM	#1
Jowyta Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 3	SMTP problems from Italy A friend and I were in Italy earlier this year. We both use Runbox. I was able to send messages using SMTP from my netbook computer using Icedove (Debian's version of Thunderbird) on a GNU/Linux operating system. My friend was using K9 on an Android 'phone using the same account settings as me but was unable to send any messages. Any ideas what the problem might be?

6 Dec 2015, 07:31 AM	#2
n5bb Intergalactic Postmaster Join Date: May 2004 Location: Irving, Texas Posts: 8,930	Welcome to the EMD Forums! Were you using the same Internet service provider connection? If the netbook was on a wired or WiFi network and the phone was using a cellular network connection there might be significant differences. If messages could be read but not sent the problem may be with port blocking at the ISP. For example, most providers now block port 25 and some other ports. Bill

11 Dec 2015, 03:08 PM	#3
Jowyta Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 3	Thanks for responding, Bill. We were both using the same WiFi network. John

15 Dec 2015, 08:44 AM	#4
kservik Cornerstone of the Community Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Oslo, Norway Posts: 555 Representative of: Runbox.com	Did SMTP work for him with the same settings previously? If he does not know, what is the SMTP settings used?

15 Dec 2015, 10:12 AM	#5
DigitalOrchard Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Vancouver Island, Canada Posts: 19	Yes, posting the exact settings here (without username and password) would be very helpful to know what's going on. Can you share that info? The settings _should_ match: Outgoing Server (SMTP): mail.runbox.com Port: 465 (preferred) or 587 Secure/Encrypted Connection: Yes/On (SSL/TLS for port 465 or STARTTLS for port 587) Authentication: Password As found in this support document.

15 Dec 2015, 10:18 AM	#6
kservik Cornerstone of the Community Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Oslo, Norway Posts: 555 Representative of: Runbox.com	It is also worth noting that some email clients say TLS when they mean STARTTLS (post 587) and SSL when they mean SSL/TLS (port 465). It can be a bit confusing.

16 Dec 2015, 06:28 PM	#7
Jowyta Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 3	Thanks for those ideas. I have checked the settings on our devices and I find that we have both been using secure.runbox.com for outgoing SMTP. Mostly it has worked but maybe there are some circumstances in which it can cause problems. Also I was using STARTTLS on port 587 but my friend was using SSL/TLS on port 465 in K9 on her android phone. We now have them all set up according to the recommended settings. She is off to Sicily tomorrow so we will see how she gets on. John