How to fix 'SMTP could not authenticate' error? (2024)

While connecting your email account through the SMTP method, you may encounter SMTP Error: Could not authenticate error.

1. You might have entered the wrong email credentials.

  • In most cases, the Email address and Username should be the same.
  • Use the same password that you use while logging into your email inbox.

2. You might have the wrong SMTP settings.

  • Confirm your SMTP server address, TLS Port number, orSSL Port number with your email service provider and use the correct SMTP settings.

3. Your email account has multi-factor authentication enabled:

SMTP connection can't be established If you have turned on the 2-factor authentication for your email account so you either need to turn it off or generate an app password for your email account. That app password can be used in your SalesHandy account to connect the email account via SMTP method. Many email providers allow users to generate an app-specific password and every email service provider has different methods of creating app passwords. Please follow the below articles to know the steps of generating app passwords (Application-Specific Passwords) as per your email provider. Please note that you need to use the generated password while connecting your email account with SalesHandy.

  • Click here to know how the app password is generated in Gmail.
  • Click here to know how the app password is generated in Yahoo mail.
  • Click here to know how the app password is generated in Zoho mail.
  • Click here to know how the app password is generated in Yandex mail.

4. The SMTP connection is disabled by your email service provider.

Although it happens rarely, sometimes, the email providers keep the SMTP connection disabled so it can't be connected via the SMTP method. In that case, users are requested to reach out to their email service provider to get SMTP enabled.

If you're not sure about why you got this error while connecting your email via SMTP,

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How to fix 'SMTP could not authenticate' error? (2024)

FAQs

How to fix 'SMTP could not authenticate' error? ›

Troubleshooting steps: - Verify login credentials: Confirm that the email address and password are entered correctly. - Check account settings: Go to Mail > Preferences > Accounts. Select the email account and verify that the SMTP server settings and authentication method are accurate.

How do I fix SMTP authentication error? ›

To resolve this issue, the user can follow these steps:
  1. Ensure that the username and password are valid.
  2. Use an encryption algorithm supported by the email server. ...
  3. Use an authentication mechanism supported by the email server. ...
  4. Request the email server administrator to verify if the user is active.

What is the reason SMTP error could not authenticate? ›

Usually, the authentication error is caused due to incorrect SMTP credentials, SMTP authentication may have been disabled for your account. So, you can contact your SMTP provider with the full error log.

How do I fix SMTP connection error? ›

How to fix issues with sending email (SMTP)
  1. Open the settings for your email in the application or device you are using.
  2. Locate the outgoing SMTP server and its settings.
  3. Check the current outgoing port and change it to 26 or 587.
  4. Make sure any username and password fields are filled in if shown.
  5. Save changes and test.

How do I authenticate my SMTP account? ›

How do I configure SMTP authentication?
  1. Go to your Account Settings.
  2. Select Server Settings.
  3. Select Outgoing mail. ...
  4. Check the box “My outgoing (SMTP) server requires authentication” and select your preferred authentication option.
  5. Click Next to save your changes.

How do I enable SMTP requires authentication? ›

  1. From the Tools menu, choose "Accounts."
  2. Select email account you need to update. ( i.e. yourdomain.com ).
  3. Click "Properties".
  4. Select the "Servers" tab.
  5. Check the box next to "My Server Requires Authentication."
  6. Click "Ok."
Sep 11, 2018

How do I verify my SMTP server is working? ›

When in Command prompt, type ping mail.example.com where mail.example.com is the name or IP address of SMTP server you intend to use. Normally, if SMTP server is reachable, it should reply. If SMTP server is not reachable, the ping request will timeout.

Why can't I connect to my SMTP server? ›

The first step in resolving the “SMTP connect() failed” error is to verify your SMTP settings. Incorrect SMTP settings are a common cause of this error. Ensure that the SMTP host, port, username, and password are correctly configured in your PHPMailer script.

Is SMTP authentication going away? ›

In September 2021, Microsoft announced that effective October 1, 2022, they will begin disabling Basic Authentication for Outlook, EWS, RPS, POP, IMAP, and EAS protocols in Exchange Online. SMTP Auth will also be disabled if it is not being used.

How do I reset my SMTP service? ›

Click the Server > Status tab and select the Server Tasks view. Select SMTP Server from the list of tasks. Click Tools > Task > Restart, and then click Yes.

Why is SMTP not sending emails? ›

Here are some common reasons your email messages won't send: You're not connected to the internet. You've set up your email client with the wrong SMTP parameters. Your SMTP server connection is malfunctioning.

How do I find my SMTP server settings and authentication? ›

Steps to Find Your SMTP Server Address
  1. Log in to your email client or interface and locate the settings or preferences.
  2. Look for the outgoing mail server (SMTP) settings.
  3. Find the server address that is listed. This is your SMTP server address.
May 19, 2023

What is SMTP authentication error while sending email? ›

The “SMTP Error: Could Not Authenticate” error occurs when the email client cannot verify the user's login credentials. It is a common authentication error that can be caused by incorrect login credentials or configuration errors. Other common SMTP authentication errors include: SMTP Error: Authentication Failed.

What is basic SMTP authentication? ›

SMTP Authentication is the mechanism by which the clients of an ISP identify themselves to the mail server through which they intend to send email. It is not possible for any person to send email via any mail server they choose; mail servers will only allow the sending of email by legitimate users.

What does please turn on SMTP authentication in your mail client mean? ›

Your email client may require SMTP authentication for your email account to work. SMTP authentication reduces email spoofing, phishing, and spam by ensuring only authorized users can send and receive emails. You should enable SMTP authentication in your email settings to protect your account.

How to fix the authentication required by the outgoing SMTP server is not configured? ›

Click the "More Settings..." button in the bottom-right corner of the E-Mail Accounts window. In the Internet Email Settings window, click the "Outgoing Server" tab. Check that the box next to "My outgoing server (SMTP) requires authentication" is checked and "use same settings as my incoming mail server" is selected.

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