How to Fix "Connections to the server on the default ports timed out" in Mac Mail

What does “Connections to the server on the default ports timed out” means?

The error message in Mac Mail indicates that your email client is unable to properly establish a connection with the email server. This is most commonly caused by incorrect mail server settings configured in the mail client.

Get Ready-To-Use Email Prompts

Download our free ChatGPT email prompt templates prepared by AI professionals. Try them out to create engaging and successful emails in no time.

Important!

Error!

Email

Describe your role in managing websites Please select I manage my own website I manage the website(s) of the company I work for I manage websites for external clients I still don't own/manage any website, but I'm planning to start doing so I'm not really interested in setting up a website or managing someone else's

I have read and agree to the SiteGround Digital Materials Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

DOWNLOAD

Google reCAPTCHA used. Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply

Check server settings in Mac Mail

If you are using SiteGround as your email provider, you can find the correct server settings to use in Mac Mail in your Site Tools > Email > Accounts, choose the problematic email account, and go to the kebab menu > Mail Configuration, and select the Manual Settings tab. Note down all the configuration items on that page.

Then, open your Mac Mail client and go to Mail -> Preferences. Click the Accounts tab, select your email from the accounts list, and click the Server Settings tab.

Compare the server settings here with the settings from Site Tools and ensure that all of them match especially the ports. Once you are done changing the existing settings to the ones from Site Tools, click Save in order to apply the changes. Allow up to a minute for the new settings to take effect and test the functionality of your email account again.