4 Fixes for Can’t Send Emails Using Mail App on Mac

Quick Tips

• Open the Mail app > Window > Connection Doctor > Check whether your email account is connected to the server.
• Open the Mail app > Settings > Accounts > Select your email account > Server Settings > Edit SMTP Server List > Select the SMTP server and then verify the information.
• Using Safe Mode will prevent third-party app interference and check if system apps like Apple Mail function properly.

Basic Fixes

• Check Wi-Fi connection: Ensure that you have connected to a 5GHz Wi-Fi network for faster speeds to send your emails.
• Force quit and relaunch the app: Click the Apple logo > Force Quit > Mail app > Force Quit.
• Update the Mail app: Open Settings > General > Software Update.

Fix 1: Check Server Connection

The Mail app allows you to check your server connection status. Your email client should be connected to the email server.

Step 1: Open the Mail app > Window > Connection Doctor.

Step 2: Check whether your email account is connected to the server. You can click on Check Again to confirm the same.

Fix 2: Check SMTP Server Settings

If you see the Cannot Send Message Using the Server error in Apple Mail on your Mac, you need to check and then verify your SMTP server settings. SMTP or Simple Mail Transfer Protocol helps computers and servers to exchange emails. You should verify the required server for your email account. You need to check the configuration settings of your SMTP server.

Step 1: Open the Mail app > Settings > Accounts > Select your email account.

Step 2: Click on Server Settings.

Step 3: Click the drop-down menu and then select Edit SMTP Server List.

Step 4: Select the SMTP server that your email account uses and then verify the information displayed.

You can remove duplicate servers by selecting them and then clicking the Minus icon.

Step 5: Click on Advanced and then ensure that all the fields match the information provided by your email account server.

Step 6: After confirmed, click on Ok and then try sending an email to yourself.

Fix 3: Disable Firewall

A firewall on your Mac prevents unwanted contact from other computers while you are connected to the internet. Your Mac allows you to restrict certain apps using Firewall and then ensure that Apple Mail hasn’t been added to the list.

Step 1: Press Command + Spacebar keyboard shortcut to open Spotlight Search, type Firewall Advanced Settings, and then press Return.

Step 2: Click on Firewall > Options > If the Mail app has been added, ensure that incoming connections are allowed.

Fix 4: Use Safe Mode

If none of the solutions have worked, we suggest booting your Mac in Safe Mode to troubleshoot the issue with the Mail app. This will prevent third-party app interference and check if system apps like Apple Mail function properly.

For Macs With M-Series Chip

Step 1: Shut down your Mac.

Step 2: After your Mac shuts down, press and hold the Power Button till you see the two startup options – Macintosh HD and Options.

Step 3: Select Macintosh HD while holding the Shift key and then select Continue in Safe Mode.

For Macs With Intel Chip

Step 1: Restart your Mac.

Step 2: Press and hold the Shift key when your Mac restarts. Release the Shift key when you see the login window.

Tip: Refer to our post to learn how to set Out of Office message on Mac mail.