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Bayman's avatar
Bayman
New Contributor II
6 years ago
Solved

Can’t Access E-Mail using Outlook or MacMail (Error Code 3170)

Can’t Access E-Mail using Outlook or Mac Mail (Error Code 3170) Starting on 10/2/19, I’ve started getting the following error message: “Outlook cannot find the server. Verify the server informatio...
connection
connection issues
cox email
e-mail problem
email
email help
  • Bayman's avatar
    Bayman
    6 years ago

    I finally found the solution.  It wasn't a Cox problem, nor was it an e-mail client problem.  Turned out to be a 3rd party software issue.

    On the Apple discussions forum, it was suggested to download the EtreCheck diagnostic app for Mac; it paid off. The problem turned out to be the following “Unsigned” file: com.DataFormatSearchP.plist.  I have no idea what an “Unsigned” file is, or what this one did, but deleting it fixed my problem. Mac Mail is finally working!

    Thanks for everyone's replies.

Bayman's avatar
Bayman
New Contributor II
6 years ago

Thanks for your answer.  I already tried updating my password; didn't work.  I'm almost certain that it's a Cox problem as opposed to an Outlook problem because I can't connect using Mac Mail either.  Not being able to connect using two separate e-mail clients tells me there's something screwed up on Cox's end.

KevinM2's avatar
KevinM2
Former Moderator
6 years ago
Hi Bayman, I do see that an escalation has been created for this and we will be keeping a close eye on this here in Social Media. Since you have this set to IMAP (993), have you removed the Cox email from your client device entirely and re-entered the credentials? I highly recommend doing so and starting from scratch. Please also verify that the server name fields do NOT include east, west, or central. Here is a step-by-step guide for more information:

www.cox.com/.../changing-email-server-settings-for-microsoft-outlook-2007-2016.html

-Kevin M. Cox Support Forum Moderator
  • Bayman's avatar
    Bayman
    New Contributor II
    6 years ago

    Hi Kevin, thanks for your reply.  The problem with removing my existing Cox email on Outlook is that I get a pop-up window saying all e-mails & documents associated with the account will be lost, so that option is too risky.  I did create a new account for Cox using the proper settings to no effect.
     
    Also, keep in mind that I’ve been unable to connect with both Outlook and Mac Mail.  This leads me to believe that there must be an issue with Cox.  

    I should mention that I had a problem with the Cox smtp server back in June 2017.  At the time, I was unable to send e-mails.  Again, both my e-mail clients were affected.  When recently speaking with the Tier 2 tech reps, I remembered that the 2017 issue involved my account being blocked; apparently it had been put on some type of “black list” involving spam.  Which makes no sense at all;  I’m lucky if I send out 1 e-mail a day and I don’t do any type of e-mail marketing.  Cox eventually acknowledged and fixed the problem, but it took close to three weeks; hope whatever’s going on now can be resolved much more quickly.

      • KevinM2's avatar
        KevinM2
        Former Moderator
        6 years ago
        Hi Bayman, we are having this investigated now and more information should be available within the next 24-72 business hours. We appreciate your patience. -Kevin M. Cox Support Forum Moderator