Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Unable to receive AOL mail on my MBA...

StarShot

StarShot

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Mar 31, 2014
1,151
397
Running High Sierra and can't receive email in the Apple App. If I log on to aol.com with a browser and enter my user name/password, I can receive my mail.

But if I attemp to use Main, I get an error message "unable to account name or password". Is there a problem with aol and OS-X?
 
I have two AOL accounts in Mail, and both will occasionally go wack-o, particularly after a macOS system reinstall.
Fix is (assuming that your Mail account is set up properly) go into Accounts (in System preferences). Click on your account name. Close any message that pops up about a password, then click on the Details button. Make sure your account name (including @aol.com) and password are both correct in the Details window. Be sure to re-enter your current AOL mail account password. Click OK to complete that entry. That should fix it.
 
DeltaMac said:
I have two AOL accounts in Mail, and both will occasionally go wack-o, particularly after a macOS system reinstall.
Fix is (assuming that your Mail account is set up properly) go into Accounts (in System preferences). Click on your account name. Close any message that pops up about a password, then click on the Details button. Make sure your account name (including @aol.com) and password are both correct in the Details window. Be sure to re-enter your current AOL mail account password. Click OK to complete that entry. That should fix it.
Click to expand...

That didn't work. I can't access the AOL account either with my MBA or a Windows 10 laptop if I use Apps like Mail in OS-X or Mail in Win 10. Strangely I can access my AOL email if I go with aol.com, using the same log-in data. I'm wondering if I may have too many email accounts (around 10 or so)? Could that be a limitation?

Not that it probably matters, but I couldn't find the "details" button you mentioned. Also, at one time I deleted this aol account from my MBA because I was getting tired of all the error messages.
 
As you can connect to view your AOL mail at aol.com, then the difference is you don't need any settings, just login and you can view webmail. Your settings in Mail app on both Windows 10 and macOS need checking. Something is wrong, or just missing a setting.

What have you tried in Windows 10 to get your AOL account to work in Mail?
Here's what looks like good tips to get that going on Windows.

Something similar should work for Mac Mail, too. Search for something like "AOL mail settings for macOS Mail", or something similar. You should see quite a few results for that.
 
DeltaMac said:
As you can connect to view your AOL mail at aol.com, then the difference is you don't need any settings, just login and you can view webmail. Your settings in Mail app on both Windows 10 and macOS need checking. Something is wrong, or just missing a setting.

What have you tried in Windows 10 to get your AOL account to work in Mail?
Here's what looks like good tips to get that going on Windows.

Something similar should work for Mac Mail, too. Search for something like "AOL mail settings for macOS Mail", or something similar. You should see quite a few results for that.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the input. Yes, I can always go to aol.com. Just easier using my mail app as I receive mail also on gmail and outlook. Almost daily i get a popup saying there is a settings problem with aol.com
 
StarShot said:
Also, at one time I deleted this aol account from my MBA because I was getting tired of all the error messages.
Click to expand...
It has to be a problem with your settings, so maybe that's what you should do this time. Delete the account and re-enter it.
 
chabig said:
It has to be a problem with your settings, so maybe that's what you should do this time. Delete the account and re-enter it.
Click to expand...

I've tried that several times already. The problem occurs on my MBA and on my Windows 10 Surface Pro. I'm starting to think AOL only wants to grant me access to AOL mail if I sign in to AOL.com.
 
Settings on the Mac wouldn't explain why you would also have problems with Mail in Windows!

You really need to double-check your settings. As chabig says, AOL has the settings available in help.
There's also a number of other sites that have tips on how to get a stubborn mail account working, either on Windows, or Mac. You just have to work your way through the settings, and make sure all is good.

AOL will provide chat support if you have a paid AOL account, otherwise, you have to send emails to AOL support. Not even sure if that still is a choice now that AOL is owned by Verizon...
Maybe you could try contacting AOL support - https://help.aol.com/contact/
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back