"The connection to the server has failed" error in Outlook Express

This article provides resolution to the error "The connection to the server has failed" reported by users who can't send or receive e-mails when using an e-mail client especially Outlook Express.

Error:

The connection to the server has failed. Account: 'Hotmail', Server: 'smtp.live.com', Protocol: SMTP, Port: 25, Secure(SSL): No, Socket Error: 10051, Error Number: 0x800CCC0E

-Or-

The connection to the server has failed. Account: 'Hotmail', Server: 'pop3.live.com', Protocol: POP3, Port: 110, Secure(SSL): No, Socket Error: 10060, Error Number: 0x800CCC0E

Resolution:

This one will appear if SSL is unchecked. If you've already enabled SSL and you still can't send e-mails, your ISP might be blocking the port that you are using for the outgoing server. If this is the case, try 25 or 587.

Error:

The connection to the server has failed. Account: 'Hotmail', Server: 'smpt.live.com', Protocol: SMTP, Port: 587, Secure(SSL): Yes, Socket Error: 10060, Error Number: 0x800CCC0E

-Or-

The connection to the server has failed. Account: 'Hotmail', Server: 'ppp3.live.com', Protocol: POP3, Port: 995, Secure(SSL): Yes, Socket Error: 10060, Error Number: 0x800CCC0E

Resolution:

An invalid server name is causing the error. It should be pop3.live.com for the incoming server while smtp.live.com for outgoing.

Please note that the settings in the screenshot below are incorrect to depict the cause of the error mentioned above.

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