Esumsoft Forums

Having a similar issue as another post here.. since starting to use a VPN service. ( nordVPN ) ..

I constantly get error message: "COuld not connect to SMTP server"

If i turn off the VPN.. it works fine...


[To view the SEND MAIL settings, right-click the account in the Account List > select [EDIT ACCOUNT] > [SEND MAIL] tab

Server Type: IMAP

A. Send option -- SMTP
B. SMTP server -- smtp.mail.yahoo.com
C. Is SSL/TLS enabled? -- YES
D. Port number -- 465
E. Is "Server requires authentication" checked? -- YES

Can reproduce error all the time with VPN active... can always send emails without error when VPN off.....

Frustrating me,

I Have NO problems retrieving emails while using the VPN.. just sending emails with it on.

Hi GratefulJim,

Sorry to hear that you too, are having an issue with your VPN and sending Yahoo email.

(I edited the alphabet 'bullets' in your post to match the ones in the other topic reply I made).

Please post back with the entire error message text PP is giving you, following the instructions in the article below:

PP error messages: How to view them & copy/paste into your post

* - Be sure to note the CAUTION statement near the bottom of the Sticky.

This provides us with more complete information needed to better assist you.

As mentioned in another topic - other members of The Esumsoft Team will be dropping-by later to review your topic further.

(I have also contacted Jeff about the issues you and hime3 are having with your respective VPN's).

Thank you and best regards,

POP Peeper does not do anything special when you're using a VPN -- that should be transparent to the email client.

NordVpn has the following FAQ:

Do you offer any open ports?
All ports are open on our servers, except SMTP and Netbios for outgoing connections. For the SMTP incoming port, you can alternatively use ports 465 or 587. Of course, since we do not provide any port-forwarding, no incoming connections can go through.

I highlighted "incoming" because I don't know if that's a typo or not. If it's not a typo, then smtp won't work because they don't allow it. I know that some VPN's do block smtp port 25 because that port is historically an open smtp port that can be used for anonymous spamming, and they don't want to be responsible for spammers abusing their VPN; but most VPN's do allow 465/587. I would suggest that you contact them for clarification.