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Why did my longtime IMAP connection to Comcast email stop working two days ago?

Anonymous
2022-12-28T16:19:06+00:00

Outlook connection to Comcast on my Android still works with same server settings. On Surface with Microsoft 365, Outlook started giving me connection error messages and dialog box with password asking me to login again. Login fails repeatedly. I've removed my comcast account and tried to re-add but this is failing too. Checked my settings at Comcast email end (allow IMAP connection) and updated password. Still no luck. Tried changing the outgoing server port number, nothing works.

Outlook | Windows | Classic Outlook for Windows | For business

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  1. Anonymous
    2022-12-28T16:59:25+00:00

    Hello JerryU_75,

    Comcast has some requirements as seen on here: https://www.xfinity.com/support/articles/email-... *

    These being:

     Incoming Mail Server Name: imap.comcast.net

Incoming Mail Server Port Number:

    Recommended: 993 with SSL ON

    Only if Needed: 143 with SSL ON

Outgoing Mail Server Name: smtp.comcast.net

Outgoing Mail Server Port Number:

    Recommended: 587 (SMTP)

    Only if Needed: 465 (SMTPS)

SSL Encryption: checked

Authentication: Xfinity username and password required

    Kindly make sure that these are being followed properly. It would be, also, pretty helpful if you share here any error code you are getting.

    *Note: This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-01-21T01:26:12+00:00

    The Norton 360 app allows you to turn off the firewall temporarily (has a timer), so I didn't have to uninstall and reinstall. I believe the setting is found under Resources (use the magnifying glass to find this).

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-01-21T01:03:10+00:00

    I have the same same issue with constant disruption to my outlook and gmail riding comcast system. How did you reinstall Norton firewall if you uninstalled Norton 360 (I have the same package installed). I am using a MS Laptop 2 with Office 365.

    Thanks,

    RB

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  4. Anonymous
    2022-12-28T22:38:36+00:00

    I poked around further on Xfinity email community forum. Found similar issue that was solved by uninstalling Norton 360. I turned off VPN - that did not solve IMAP connection issue. But then disabled Norton firewall for 15 minutes and restarted Outlook. Was able to add IMAP Comcast mail connection immediately, no issue. So it was probably a Norton update that broke the connection and prevented the fix until disabled.

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  5. Anonymous
    2022-12-28T18:58:15+00:00

    Hi George,

    Thanks for the reply! I have tried the various port settings and none work. Triple checked all other settings and username and password. I also updated the password on the Comcast (Xfinity) end and also verified their security setting to allow 3rd party IMAP access was checked.

    There is no error code. I just repeatedly get the Interent Email dialog box asking me to enter my username and PW for the imap.comcast.net server. Occasionally this would happen when updated folders, but usually resolved if I restarted Outlook. This time it wasn't resolving so I removed the Comcast account. Now I can't connect to add it back.

    Wondering if it's an obscure security setting in Microsoft 365 related to allowing POP answers IMAP connections? Maybe affected by recent auto-update?

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