Problem:

Mobile user can’t send email when traveling

Specifics:

Windows OS (any), Outlook Express, Outlook, others

Description: 

You are a mobile computer user and you use email software like Outlook or Outlook Express to get your email.  When working from home it usually works, but when you travel you cannot send email.

Root Cause:

This is caused by the fact that most Internet Service providers are blocking port 25 on their network because many email spammers have been using random email servers to send bulk unsolicited email.  When you send email, your software program like Outlook Express sends the mail or data stream to the sending email server via computer port 25.  If the email server is outside of the local service providers network, then the mail will be blocked.  You may notice this when you travel to a hotel and then suddenly notice that your sent email never got to the intended user.  The easiest solution to this is to stop using Outlook Express and use the Webmail service of your email provider and it bypasses port 25 and thus eliminates the problem.  However what do you do if you really like Outlook Express etc, and you just can’t change?  Well you may be in luck.  In order to bypass this problem, you may be able to use an alternative computer port for your send email.  If you are an experienced computer user, you may want to use my quick solution below.  If not go to the detailed solution.

Solution: 

Change smtp port from 25 to 587

Use an authenticated smtp service to send your email.

For Outlook Express, go to Tools – Accounts.

Select the Mail Tab and double click on the properties for the email profile

Click the servers tab, and find the Outgoing Mail Server section near the bottom.  Click on “My server requires authentication”.  Click on settings and enter the login credentials for the authenticated server.

Click on the Advance Tab

Change Outgoing Mail (SMTP) from 25 to 587

Another solution is to use third-party SMTP servers.  For example, Fastmail (www.fastmail.fm) -- a one-time setup fee of $15 gives you lifetime access to their SMTP server and you access that SMTP server from your laptop or PDA from hotels, airport lounges... any location, really.

Note: Many providers like Yahoo and others are moving towards authenticated and secure settings for  SMTP.  Using this will also cure the problems.  If you have any problems with getting this working for yourself, contact us and we'll be glad to lend a hand.

Last Updated: 7/19/08