How to troubleshoot AOL Mail

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

This guide will help the expert learn how to troubleshoot AOL Mail

2. Issues

Choose the Issue

3. Sent folder contains emails that weren't sent by User

If your contacts are getting emails you didn't send, your sent folder is full of messages you didn't send, or you're missing folders, it could be a sign that your account has been compromised or hacked.

If you notice these signs, you may also end up having problems with sending or composing mail. Once you've secured your account and changed your password, it should help to resolve the additional issues with your account

4. Send/Receive

Choose an Option

5. Unable to send email

If you're having problems sending mail, there are a few troubleshooting steps you can take to fix the problem. Be aware that some of these steps will cause you to lose your place on this help page, so you may want to print these instructions or save this page in your bookmarks.

Restart your computer:

If you haven't shut down your computer in a while, we recommend that you begin troubleshooting by restarting your computer. This will help to clear the internal memory of your computer (RAM) and will often resolve many issues.

Use a different browser:

If you're using an older or outdated browser, such as Internet Explorer, you may need to access AOL Mail from a different browser. If you don't have an updated or supported browser installed on your computer, you'll need to update your existing browser or download a new one.

Check your display name:

If you have any combination of "AOL" in your display name, the message won't go through. It is especially important to check your Mail settings for this if your account has been recently compromised, as hackers will often change your name to make it harder for you to use your account normally even after it's secured.

Clear your browser's cache

Clear your browser's cache to reset your browser back to its clear state. Doing this will wipe out all the little unwanted bits of info that have been stored in your browser, resetting it and making it overall run better.

Disable pop-up blocking software:

You may need to temporarily disable your pop-up blocking software or add AOL to your allowlist.

While you'll need to contact your software vendor for specifics instructions for your software, most browsers will allow you a temporary bypass by holding down the Shift key as you click web site links.

Disable firewall using McAfee Internet Security Suite:

A firewall prevents hackers from accessing your computer online, which prohibits them from stealing your sensitive info or infecting your computer. While you should keep the firewall active most of the time, temporality turning it off can be helpful when trying to determine what is causing issues with your computer.

While you will need to check out the software's website for instructions for most firewall providers, if you're using McAfee Internet Security Suite from AOL, you can find out more through our help page.

6. Unable to Receive email

Restart your computer:

Use a different browser:

Check your display name:

Clear your browser's cache

Disable pop-up blocking software:

You may need to temporarily disable your pop-up blocking software or add AOL to your allowlist.

Disable firewall using McAfee Internet Security Suite:

7. Problems with image challenges when sending mail

If you see an image challenge question when sending mail, you should just be able to complete the challenge then send mail. If, however, you correctly answer the image challenge and still can't send mail, it could be a sign of a more serious issue with your account, which may require additional steps to secure your account

8. Problems with images not showing for mail recipients

Enable Rich Text/HTML:

If your Mail settings don't have Rich Text or HTML enabled, you could have problems with viewing images in forwarded emails. These settings can be enabled from the Mail Settings page

Send image as an attachment:

If you've sent an image in an email, but your recipient didn't receive it there may have been a problem with the way the file was sent. You'll need to download the image, then send it as attachment to your contact

9. Use POP or IMAP to sync

Choose the appropriate application to Sync POP and IMAP settings

10. Thunderbird

First, open the Account Settings: In the Thunderbird menu bar, click on the Tools menu and select out Account Settings, or click on the Application menu button New Fx Menu and select out Options and Account Settings from the sub-menu
Each email or newsgroup account that has already been configured is listed on the left thing of the Account Settings dialog these accounts correspond to the top-level folders displayed in the "All Folders" list

11. Outlook for Windows

Open Outlook and select File > Add Account
On the next screen, enter your email address, select Advanced options, then check the box for Let me set up my account manually and select Connect
Select your account type. Most of the time when you need to use this option, you'll select IMAP
The Account settings screen should be pre-populated with most of the account settings you need
Enter your password and then select Connect

12. Outlook for Mac

1.Select Outlook > Preferences > Account

2.Click the plus (+) sign > New Account

3.Type your email address > Continue

4.Type your password > Add Account. (Your screen might look different from this one depending on the account you're adding.)

13. Aol Mail

Most email software and applications have an account settings menu where you'll need to update the IMAP or POP3 settings. When entering your account info, make sure you use your full email address, including @aol.com, and that the SSL encryption is enabled for incoming and outgoing mail.

ProtocolServer SettingsPort SettingsPOP 3Incoming mail server (POP3):pop.aol.comOutgoing mail server (SMTP):smtp.aol.comPOP3-995-SSLSMTP-465-SSLIMAPIncoming mail server (IMAP):imap.aol.comOutgoing mail server (SMTP):smtp.aol.comIMAP-993-SSLSMTP-465-SSL