Did receive reply from cox.help@cox.com. Unfortunately not encouraged by response. No date furnished for issue resolution; only informed problem being worked.
I have performed a quick search on this Cox Internet Forum and learned that the identical email retrieval problem I'm currently experiencing has been reported on several prior threads dating back to July 2017 (including another unresolved thread--not mine--with latest posting also today). Obviously the Cox technical "wizards" have been unable to come up with a definitive solution to correct a recurring situation for many months now. I've been advised, "it's a known issue"--if so, fix it!
What is going on? Very poor service on the part of Cox, especially regarding a long standing issue plaguing numerous customers.
To "add fuel to the fire," yesterday I received my February Cox billing statement. In conjunction with an announced Cox rate increase, my total charges went up by over $16 per month. Most of that increase was due to a hefty boost in the monthly charge for Cox's "Preferred 100 Internet Service" (which includes email). Unbelievable! Now I have to do pick up the phone and deal (battle?) with Cox's billing and loyalty groups. And I've been a Cox customer for over 23 years!
Very unhappy, frustrated, and disappointed with Cox!