Outlook 2010 POP3 client keeps failing

So we can assume you know exactly how to set up a POP3 account properly.

1. On the problem computer, set up a test Windows User Profile, log in, set up Outlook and test it. Does it work in a different user profile?

2. If not, try uninstalling Office 2010 completely, restarting and installing Office fresh. Office 2010 has 2 Service packs now, so download both and install both and then patch completely.

Please let us know.  

... Thinkpads_User

Have you checked firewalls or AV's to see if their blocking connection, is the pc using Citrix...etc, as haas been asked we need more info.

If only 1 out of 25 machines is having an issue, it is likely to be machine oriented.

.. Thinkpads_User

test a fresh user. 1st delete the profile goto Control>mail> show profiles... then delete it and start the wizard over with a new fresh user. If that fails. then check your Anti-virus and or uninstall and re-install office 2010. besides user error there can only be a few reason for this. But user error dominates the reason (not saying that the case here :) ).

test a fresh user.

@TheITJedis - Already suggested farther back.

.... Thinkpads_User

thanks Thinkpads_User :)

Today, I first removed the outlook profile restarted the OS then attempted to to configure the POP3 client but it failed.
Later, I removed office 2010 and the outlook profile, reboted the machine then reinstalled Office 2010, patched it and again attempted to comfigure the POP3 outloook client but it failed again.

If you tried a new Windows User Profile and a full uninstall/reinstall of Office and all that failed, then something has corrupted the operating system.   Try in order:
1. System file checker (SFC /SCANNOW)
2. Restore to a prior point if available.
3. Windows Repair Install.
4. Reinstall Windows.

.... Thinkpads_User

I've tried also tried a fresh user on the machine and on a new machine and they both failed. However, I'm able to telnet into the POP3 server from the offending windows7 client I will run scandisk later.

Thinkpads_user wasn't referring to scandisk, SFC is System File Checker and has many other commands however the scannow (and the space between SFC and / is intentional) is a scan and fix, SFC is run from the command window, navigate to the CMD icon, right click and choose "Run as administrator" then at the prompt you can enter SFC /SCANNOW.

I've successfully completed running SFC /SCANNOW then again tried connecting to the POP3 server from the windows7 client in question and it fails again. I'm a total lost here.

It is 1 of 25 machines and you have done what you can from an Outlook point of view. From my post above, do a Windows Repair Install, or (more preferably) do a fresh install of Windows. This one is turning into a black hole.

Here is the Microsoft link for a Repair Install:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-ca/windows7/start-your-computer-from-a-windows-7-installation-disc-or-usb-flash-drive

... Thinkpads_User

Sorry, for not getting back to you. However, I've now realize that I cannot configure the pop3 client in outlook on other laptops like I did previously even though, I'm able to telnet to the POP3 server. We've had quite a few firewall changes in the past few weeks, I'm beginning to wonder if its blocking it in some way. Next week I plan on attempting to configure the pop3 client using wireless connection. This will avoid the local firewall in our office as the Exchange server is in another state. Do you see any flaws in my approach?

Try what you are suggesting.

At first you said only 1 of 25 machines was an issue. Now you are saying POP configuration on a number of laptops is a problem. It is likely a port/SSL issue in advanced settings. Firewalls like to block ports 25 and sometimes 110.

So try wireless to bypass the firewall and let us know how that works.

... Thinkpads_User

I tried configuring the POP3 client using a wireless connection and that fails too.

Thinkpads_User, I originally said 1 of 25 because I wasn't aware that other newly built machines would be having that problem too. It's very puzzling to me.
I do have POP3 outlook client configured on my laptop that I use on a regular basis but I  configured it months ago and it works fine. However, when I attempt to configure the POP3 client using my credentials or even another user's credentials on a newly built laptop or desktop it fails.

It is hard for me to imagine this is a Windows / Outlook problem. I have used all possible combinations of Windows and Outlook all POP3 for decades now.

You probably need to talk to your ISP and see if there is some light they could shed.

If all newly built computers are having the same issue, it really starts to look like an ISP issue.

.... Thinkpads_User

Thank you Thinkpads_User, I will run the IPS possibility by my manager on Monday and see what he has to say.

With the outgoing test being fine and the incoming failing it has to be an issue with an AV, Firewall or IP blocking thats causing the issue, you'd have to ask IT to whitelist the ip of your mail server that you are using, also the likes of Symantec Endpoint solutions can give false positives to the users own domain or network ip which may be blocking it (if you have it installed), i remember not so long ago we had the same issue as you but this is what the issue was, sorted out Symantec and all was well :)

Good luck!

Regards,
Simon

I'm having our networking team look at this issue because it seems to be a firewall issue.

I've requested that this question be deleted for the following reason:

None of the possible solutions offered worked even though they all made sense. I'm having our network team look into because I suspect that it is a firewall issue.

After you said it was many computers and not just one, I suggested firewall because email ports can be blocked.

Your final post says you figure firewall as well.

So why are you deleting the question when we provided the answer?

.... Thinkpads_User

I'm offering to delete the question because I'm just spinning my wheels and going no where with this question. I've exhausted all of my options and I'm not absolutely confident that it is firewall either although, I can telnet and connect successfully using the port in question.

Thanks for the clarification. So then please proceed again to delete the question.

.... Thinkpads_User

For what it's worth I feel that this discussion shouldn't be up for deletion until you've bottomed it out and proved it's not the firewall, I truly believe that's where the problem lies.

If it's found to be the firewall or not the solutions given in this discussion will help others seeking help with similar issues as one or more of the suggestions may solve their issue.

Regards,
Simon

I've requested that this question be deleted for the following reason:

Please delete the question I'm not going to continue fighting about . I've exhausted everything.

Repost(pressed submit rather than Object):
For what it's worth I feel that this discussion shouldn't be up for deletion until you've bottomed it out and proved it's not the firewall, I truly believe that's where the problem lies.

If it's found to be the firewall or not the solutions given in this discussion will help others seeking help with similar issues as one or more of the suggestions may solve their issue.

Regards,
Simon

It resolved the issue