Resolving a Windows Live Mail Error ID 0x800ccc0e

Resolving a Windows Live Mail Error ID 0x800ccc0e
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Among a variety of Windows Live Mail Errors, ID 0x800ccc0e is one of the most common. This error code is also known as several other errors including XP_E_FAILED_TO_CONNECT and Cannot Connect to Server. If you are receiving any of these errors, read on to learn how to resolve this common problem with Windows Live Mail.

Windows Live Mail Error Codes

In order to make life easier for users, troubleshooters, and even itself, Microsoft builds into its software a variety of error codes so that issues and bugs can be resolved as quickly as possible. These error codes often look much like the error code for the Windows Live Mail Cannot Connect to Server error. They may look alike, but each code indicates a different type of error. The most common error message in Windows Live Mail is the 0x800ccc0e Cannot Connect to Server error. Luckily, this error is usually easy to fix.

Resolve Error 0x800ccc0e

Windows Live Mail Error ID 0x800ccc0e occurs when the application is unable to connect to a mail server. Your mail server is the computer responsible for retrieving, storing, and sending your e-mail messages. In order for Windows Live Mail to receive and send e-mail, you must tell the program where your e-mail server is and what special parameters it needs to communicate with it.

First, you need to establish that you are capable of communicating with your mail server from your current location. To do this, hold down your WINDOWS KEY on your keyboard and hit the R key. This will bring up the RUN window (see Figure 1). Type CMD in the box and then click OK. This will bring up the command prompt.

At the command prompt, type in the following line:

telnet smtpmailserver.domain.com 25

Where smtpmailserver is the name of your e-mail provider’s SMTP mail server and domain is the domain of your mail server. For example, if you have a RoadRunner Internet connection and you live in the Southern Tier of New York, the line should read:

telnet smtp-server.stny.rr.com 25

If you are unsure of your e-mail providers SMTP server location, contact your e-mail provider.

If you are able to connect to your provider’s mail server, then you must now check your e-mail server settings in Windows Live Mail.

Checking Windows Live Mail Server Settings

Windows Live Mail Properties

On the left hand side of the Windows Live Mail window, right click on your e-mail account and then click on PROPERTIES. The properties window for your e-mail account will open (see Figure 2). On the GENERAL TAB, be sure that your e-mail address and other pertinent information are correct under USER INFORMATION. Also, be certain that the box labeled INCLUDE THIS ACCOUNT WHEN RECEIVING MAIL OR SYNCHRONIZING is checked.

Now click on the SERVER TAB. This tab may appear differently depending on whether your e-mail server has an HTTP address. If you use Hotmail, for example, you will connect to your e-mail through an HTTP address. If so, make sure the HTTP address in the SERVER URL box is correct for your e-mail provider.

If you connect to your e-mail account using SMTP and POP3 servers, you need to make sure two server settings are correct. First, make sure the correct server address is in the INCOMING MAIL (POP3) box. POP3 e-mail servers are usually in the form:

pop3server.domain.com

where pop3server is the name of your e-mail provider’s POP3 server address and domain is the domain name of your provider.

Similarly, make sure that the OUTGOING MAIL (SMTP) box contains the correct information for your provider’s SMTP mail server. These server addresses are usually in the form:

smtpmailserver.domain.com

where smtpmailserver is the name of your e-mail provider’s SMTP server address and domain is the domain name of your provider.

In the INCOMING MAIL SERVER section of the SERVERS TAB, be certain that your E-MAIL USERNAME and PASSWORD are correct. Click OK.

These steps are usually enough to resolve a 0x800ccc0e error code in Windows Live Mail. However, you may have to check other e-mail settings specific to your e-mail provider. For example, some people need to connect to their e-mail provider’s servers using a variety of security and certificate settings. Contact your e-mail provider for information on the security settings specific to connecting to its e-mail servers. These settings can be further found on the SERVERS TAB but are also found on other tabs such as SECURITY and ADVANCED.