Mail (Mavericks): Verify your outgoing mail server
If you see an alert that your message can’t be sent using a specific outgoing mail server, it’s possible that you’re not using the required server, or the server may be configured incorrectly.
- Choose Mail > Preferences, then click Accounts.
- Select an account.
- Click Account Information, then review the server being used for outgoing messages.
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If None is selected, choose a different server from the Outgoing Mail Server pop-up menu.
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Make sure the selected server is one specified by your account provider and that the server name is spelled correctly. Choose Edit SMTP Server List from the pop-up menu, then review or enter information as directed by your provider.
If you contact your provider about the server, use this “cheat sheet” to record Mail settings you might need for configuring the server.
Apple Support article: Configuring Mail for your email account
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If the server is obsolete, choose Edit SMTP Server List from the pop-up menu, select the server, then click Remove (-). Don’t remove a server that’s in use by an account unless you’re ready to add a different server for the account.
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- Test your changes by sending yourself a message.
If you use your Mac on a different network, such as at a coffee shop, your regular mail server might not accept and send your messages. Deselect “Use only this server” in the Account Information pane to have Mail use any available server.
When you choose a different server for an account, all messages you send from the account will use that server until the network status changes. The status can change when you move from one network to another (say, from work to home), or if your Mac goes to sleep and wakes up in different network environments.