The error, 0×800ccc79, is generally associated with problems sending and receiving email from a server. It could be down to the authentication levels, or it could simply be a configuration issue in Outlook Express.

If you’re receiving this message, it’s unlikely that you’re capable of using mail in your standard client. In some instances, the error has been known to occur without affecting the delivery of the mail, but in most, this is not the case.

So how can we fix it?

Firstly, let’s take a look at a couple of the error variants that you might find.

‘The server does not support a SSL connection. Account; pop.xxx.com Server smtp.xxx.com.’ Protocol SMTP, server response ‘250 HELP’ Port; 25, Secure (SSL) Yes, Server Error 250, error number 0×800CCC7D.’

The message could not be sent because one of the recipients was rejected by the server. The rejected e-mail address was ‘recipient@address.com’ . Subject ‘My Subject’, Account: ‘My Account’, Server: ’smtp.xxx.xxx’, Protocol: SMTP, Server Response: ‘550 relaying to prohibited by administrator’, Port: 25, Secure(SSL): No, Server Error: 550, Error Number: 0×800CCC79

Both of these errors are due to the email client being configured to use SSL, Secure Socket Layer, when it is not needed.

If you’re using Microsoft’s Outlook Express, you will need to adjust the settings to bypass the SSL.

To do this, follow the steps below.

• Go to Tools.
• From the new dialogue, click Accounts.
• Select the account which applies to the email that you are trying to send or receive. Go to Properties.
• Go to Advanced Settings
• Locate; “This server requires a secure connection” for “Outgoing mail (SMTP)” and “Incoming mail (POP3)”.
• Remove the checks from the two boxes.
• Save the settings and exit
• Reload Outlook Express.

This should allow you to send and receive your mail.

Another problem commonly associated with Outlook Express involves just the sending of mail, while it’s still possible to receive them without errors.

You may be receiving a 0×800ccc79 error if your account provider has stipulated that you must already be logged on to the SMTP server in order to send new mail. This can be quite confusing because if you opt to receive mail first, you’ll usually connect and the gateway will be opened for mail to be sent.

This is down to what’s known as the “POP before SMTP” rule.

Either way, it’s possible to log straight on to the SMTP server by supplying a username and password to be automatically authenticated when you open Outlook Express. To do this, follow the next step of steps.

• Go to Extras.
• Click on Accounts
• Select the account which applies to the email that you are trying to send. Go to Properties.
• When the window opens, click on Server.
• Check the box under Outgoing Mail Server which says “My server requires authentication.”
• Save your settings and exit.

It’s then a simple matter of entering your designated username and password at the relevant screen. This will be passed on to the SMTP server and you should be able to send new mail without the frustration of a 0×800ccc79 error.

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