Fix: Can’t Send or Receive Emails (SMTP / IMAP Not Working)

Estimated reading: 2 minutes

If you can log into webmail but can’t send or receive emails via an email client (Outlook, Thunderbird, Apple Mail, etc.), the issue is usually wrong SMTP/IMAP settings or a blocked port. Here’s how to fix it.

Correct Veerhost Email Settings

Use these settings in your email client:

SettingValue
Incoming (IMAP)mail.yourdomain.com — Port 993 — SSL/TLS
Incoming (POP3)mail.yourdomain.com — Port 995 — SSL/TLS
Outgoing (SMTP)mail.yourdomain.com — Port 465 — SSL/TLS
Outgoing (SMTP alt)mail.yourdomain.com — Port 587 — STARTTLS
UsernameYour full email address (e.g. [email protected])
PasswordYour email account password set in cPanel

Replace mail.yourdomain.com with your actual domain. If your domain isn’t pointed to Veerhost yet, use your server hostname instead (found in cPanel → Server Information).

Fix 1: Port 25 Is Blocked (Can’t Send)

Port 25 is blocked on most shared hosting and ISPs to prevent spam. Never use port 25. Use port 465 (SSL) or 587 (STARTTLS) for outgoing mail instead.

Fix 2: Authentication Error

If you see “Authentication failed” or “Wrong username/password”:

  • Confirm the password by logging into cPanel → Email Accounts → click Check Email next to your address — if that works, your password is correct
  • Make sure your username is the full email address, not just the part before @
  • Reset the email password in cPanel → Email Accounts → Manage if needed

Fix 3: SSL Certificate Warning

If you get an SSL certificate warning, it’s because mail.yourdomain.com may not have a matching SSL cert yet. As a workaround, use your server hostname as the mail server address instead. Find it in cPanel → Server Information.

Fix 4: Emails Received But Not Showing

If you’re using POP3, emails are downloaded and deleted from the server. Switch to IMAP so emails stay synced across all your devices and remain on the server.

Still Not Working?

Contact Veerhost support at veerhost.com/support and include the exact error message your email client shows.

My account