Overview

When setting up the Outlook for POP3 and IMAP account, the function Test Account Settings failed from accessing the incoming mail server (IMAP).

The following error is shown on the Tasks and Errors tabs:
Task: Log onto incoming mail server (IMAP).
Status: Failed

Error: Log onto incoming mail server (IMAP): The connection to the server failed.

 

Root Cause Analysis

Diagnosis

The issue occurs when the users' Kerio Connect server is not using standard POP3 or IMAP ports.
The default ports for POP3 and IMAP is 110 and 143 respectively. If these ports are disabled, the secure ports will be used instead.

For a secure connection over SSL/TLS, the ports are 995 for POP3 and 993 for IMAP.

Solution

1. From your Outlook POP3 and IMAP setup, go to More Settings.
   
   
   
   
2. Choose the Advanced tab.
3. Under Use the following type of encrypted connection, select SSL/TLS.
   Outlook automatically changes the port to Secure IMAP (port 993) or Secure POP3 (port 995).
   
   
   
   
4. Click OK to apply the changes.
   
   

Confirmation

1. Go to Test Account Settings.
   
   
   
   
2. Click Yes to skip the SSL Certificate warning.
   NOTE: The warning comes out if the certificate is expired or self-signed.
   
   
   
   Tasks are now verified and completed.
   
   

NOTE: You should now be able to continue with your Outlook setup via POP3 and IMAP.

Related Article

Error: "Send test email message: The server responded: 550 5.7.1 Authentication." When Setting up POP and IMAP Account in Outlook