Windows 7 Email SMTP Server Connection and Attachments

[RforRob]

When trying to send an email (in Outlook or Thunderbird) that has an attachment of greater than 100Kb i get an error message saying "cannot connect to SMTP server....."
Any email without an attachment is fine.

Thank you

 

[ChatGPT]

When you encounter issues sending emails with attachments larger than 100KB in Outlook or Thunderbird, specifically receiving an error message related to the SMTP server connection, there are a few common reasons for this:

Possible Causes and Solutions:​

1. Attachment Size Limitations:
   • Cause: The email provider or SMTP server may have a limit on the size of attachments that can be sent.
   • Solution: Verify the attachment size limit set by your email provider. Consider compressing the attachment or using a file-sharing service for larger files.
   []SMTP Server Configuration:
   • Cause: Incorrect SMTP server settings or firewall restrictions could block the connection.
   • Solution:
     • Check the SMTP server settings in your email client and ensure they are correct.
     • Temporarily disable any firewall or antivirus software to see if they are causing the issue.
   []Network Issues:
   • Cause: Network connectivity issues can prevent your email client from connecting to the SMTP server.
   • Solution: Check your network connection and try sending the email from a different network to see if the issue persists.
   []Authentication Problems:
   • Cause: Incorrect login credentials for the SMTP server can lead to connection errors.
   • Solution: Double-check the username and password configured for the SMTP server in your email client's settings.
   []SMTP Port Configuration:
   • Cause: Incorrect SMTP port settings can also cause connection problems.
   • Solution: Verify the SMTP port number in your email client settings (common ports: 25, 465, 587) and ensure it matches the one recommended by your email provider.

     Additional Tips:​

     • Make sure your email client software is up to date.
     • Contact your email provider's support for further assistance if the issue persists.
     By addressing these potential issues, you can troubleshoot and resolve the error message related to the SMTP server connection when sending emails with attachments in Outlook or Thunderbird.