No Incoming Emails

[Ann]

Anyone else having problems? I'm with talktalk and use Internet Explorer 6. I haven't received any since 6pm and not sure any of mine have got through as I sent myself test emails and haven't received them yet.

[Buenchico]

If you're sure that you're using Internet Explorer 6 to access your emails (which means that you're using a web-based service rather than a 'proper' email client, such as Outlook Express or Windows Live Mail) then the fault must be at TalkTalk's end.

However such problems are usually related to Outlook Express (or similar) on your computer losing the correct settings to download new mail. So is it definitely (the incredibly antiquated) IE6 that you're using?

[SpikeyBush]

My ISP is Digiweb and I use Mozilla Thunderbird for my email. Occasionally it has gone awry and I have been unable to send emails. Seems to be an ISP issue as it usually works OK the following working day. Receipt of email and spam is unaffected. Webmail still works though.

[Ann]

Apologies Chris, I meant Outlook Express 6. If it is outdated could you please explain how I can update it (in simple terms please ;)

[Buenchico]

Thanks for that Ann. (I hate writing 'Are you sure you really meant that' posts; people tend to get offended!).

I'll try to answer point by point:

1. As a short-term workaround, remember that you can access your email without using Outlook Express by logging into TalkTalk's webmail service here:
http://www.talktalk.co.uk/mail/?check_cookie=1

2. As Spikey has pointed out, some email problems can be related to temporary problems with the sending server. (i.e. TalkTalk might be experiencing problems). So simply waiting a day or two (and using webmail, as above, in the meantime) might be all that you need to do.

3. If the problem doesn't clear itself, try checking the settings for your account in Outlook Express, as follows:

Go to Tools > Accounts > Mail. If your email account isn't already highlighted, click on it to make it so. Click 'Properties'. Look through what's there, taking particular note of what you find from the 'Servers' tab, next to 'Incoming mail'. It should match what you find from here:
https://help2.talktalk.co.uk/email-settings-imap-pop3
If it's incorrect, change it, click 'Apply' and then 'OK'

However Outlook Express has a nasty habit of showing the correct details under 'Properties' but not actually using them. If you find nothing wrong, start as above but, instead of selecting 'Properties', choose 'Remove'. (Don't worry. You won't lose any emails; it's only the account settings that are removed). Then use 'Add' to create the account again, using the information from my TalkTalk link above.

4. Despite its propensity to 'lose' account settings, there's not really much wrong with Outlook Express. (If you want something better, try Thunderbird: http://www.mozilla.org/en-GB/thunderbird/ ). It's Internet Explorer 6 that I was describing as 'antiquated'. Get a decent web browser!
http://www.mozilla.org/en-GB/firefox/new/

[Ann]

Thanks for your brilliantly detailed reply Chris, will look at it tomorrow and try to implement it, off to bed now but many thanks for your help, much appreciated! :)

[Ann]

Hi Chris, I tried all that you suggested this morning and nothing changed. Suddenly around lunchtime everything worked ok, so it was obviously Talktalk up to their usual tricks again!!! Thanks for the useful links anyway x