Socket Error 10060 is a timeout error that occurs when communicating with email provider servers. It can be caused by email settings, authentication, firewalls, antivirus programs, or ISP blocking. SMTP settings should be checked, and firewall software may need to be disabled or exceptions created. A virus or malware could also be blocking communication. Contacting the email provider or ISP may be necessary to resolve the issue.
Socket Error 10060 is an error that occurs while using email and specifically relates to a timeout when communicating with email provider servers. Causes can be found in email settings, authentication settings, firewall settings, antivirus programs, and simple mail transfer protocol (SMTP) blocking by an Internet service provider (ISP). This error occurs more often while the computer user is sending an email rather than receiving it.
The vast majority of all email uses SMTP for outgoing mail. Socket Error 10060 in most cases is related to SMTP settings for user’s email. Each email provider has unique settings for its services, so a user should contact their ISP or visit their support website to determine the correct settings.
When a Socket Error 10060 occurs, the user should first check the POP3 and SMTP server names to make sure they are correct. The next thing it should check is the outgoing SMTP port. Email providers change this value more than any other in their individual settings. If authentication is required, the user must click on the “Server requires authentication” box. All mail clients should have this selection option.
If your email settings are correct and you still get the Socket 10060 error, the cause may be your firewall software. The user must disable any installed firewall software to test the email connection. If this resolves the error, the user should follow the instructions in the support documentation for that particular firewall software to create an exception for the email program.
When this does not fix the error, the user should open a command prompt and ping the SMTP server address obtained from the email provider. If the ping fails and the computer is connected to a router, the user should connect directly to the cable modem to see if the router’s hardware firewall is blocking the SMTP traffic. If so, the user should consult the router’s documentation to create exceptions for the SMTP port used by their email provider. Alternatively, the cause could be that the SMTP server is blocked by the user’s ISP. He or she should contact the ISP for possible workarounds or to request unblocking.
It is possible that a virus or malware is blocking the SMTP communication. The user should update any antivirus or antimalware programs and run a full scan. If you still get a Socket 10060 error, the problem could be with your email provider. The user should contact the email provider and check if there are any problems with this end.
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