That was the question this guy asked me. I had no idea how to answer. I mean, what in the world is an SMTP server (outgoing or otherwise), and why would I need to change it’s settings? I soon learned that it was quite a practical question, and that I did indeed need to change those settings. Want to hear my story?

I got that strange-sounding question from one of the techs at the office when I was complaining about not being able to send email when I was away from the office. It turns out that the SMTP server is what my email program hands messages to when it wants to send them to someone.

He said that many SMTP servers now block any connections initiated by a computer that isn’t connected directly to their network. The idea is to keep creeps from using the SMTP server to send junk email, viruses, and so on. It’s a sensible idea, but it means you have to change certain settings in your email program if you want to connect from outside. I hadn’t done this, hence my inability to send email. With his help, I got the changed made in just a few minutes. Problem solved.

In other words, if you can receive email when you are away, but not send it, you probably have to change the outgoing SMTP server settings to make everything work right. You don’t really have to understand how it all works (I don’t) but I hope you have a better idea of what might be the problem.

Tired of not being able to send email while traveling? It will only take you a few minutes to diagnose and fix this when you visit this outgoing SMTP issue page.