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All collectionsEmail Disconnection Errors Why am I getting a ‘Connection Timed Out’ error?

Why am I getting a ‘Connection Timed Out’ error?

Here's why you might be getting ‘Connection Timed Out’ error when connecting and how to resolve it. The complete guide- Smartlead.

A "Connection Timed Out" error when connecting your inbox to Smartlead means that the SMTP port your account is trying to use is being blocked - either by your Internet Service Provider (ISP), a firewall, or your email provider's server configuration. The connection attempt starts but never receives a response, causing it to time out.

The Most Common Cause - Blocked SMTP Port

Smartlead defaults to port 465 (SSL) for outgoing SMTP connections. However, some ISPs and network configurations block this port. Switching to port 587 usually resolves the issue immediately.

How to Fix It

  1. In Smartlead, go to Email Accounts and open the settings for the affected account

  2. Find the SMTP Port field

  3. Change the port from 465 to 587 and save

  4. Make sure the encryption setting is updated to match:

    • Port 465 → SSL

    • Port 587 → TLS / STARTTLS

Still Not Working?

If switching to port 587 doesn't resolve the error, contact Smartlead support with the following details:

  • The email provider you're connecting (e.g. Gmail, Outlook, Zoho)

  • The port and encryption setting you've tried

  • Any additional error message shown

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