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10 Messages
Unable to connect to POP3 server this morning
Is Comcast POP3 server down this morning? It worked fine yesterday afternoon at 5:55 pm EDT.
My Thunderbird email client using POP3 is reporting it "Could not connect to server mail.comcast.net. Connection refused". I have been able to log in using the www.comcast.net site successfully and read and send email, but I have been using Thunderbird for many years, and POP3 email from comcast for several decades.
Also does not work on my spouse's computer this morning (same setup, different email account).
A ping to the server fails. [I note a ping to the IMAP server also fails, so perhaps this is a standard setting on the servers to avoid responding at all to DOS attacks.]
SMTP server appears to be working, so I can send using Thunderbird.
IMAP server appears to be working, as gmail client on my phone (IMAP) receives email from comcast.net (and from googlemail of course).
The outage reporter at www.comcast.net indicates no outages.
Anyone else have this problem? What's going on Comcast? @XfinityThomasB ?
My setup:
Windows 11 Home version 10.0.26100 Build 26100 version 24H2, with latest updates. last update (KB5063878) (26100.4946)
Thunderbird 140.2.0esr (64-bit)
POP3 (incoming email)
Server: mail.comcast.net [also tried pop3.comcast.net which has same error]
Port: 995
User name is my email address [xxxx.yyy]@comcast.net
Security: SSL/TLS
Authentication: Normal password
Check on new messages at startup
SMTP Settings (outgoing email)
Server name: smtp.comcast.net
Port: 465
User name is my email address [xxxx.yyy]@comcast.net
Authentication: Normal password
Security: SSL/TLS
What's going on Comcast?
rbec
New Poster
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7 Messages
2 days ago
I'm having the same issue on Linux and Windows. IMAP on my android phone is working but not POP3.
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user_jc64dl
Visitor
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8 Messages
2 days ago
Yes, we're having similar issues in Westland, MI. No incoming mail using Outlook. Error is "your server does not support the connection encryption type you have specified." Have tried multiple troubleshooting tasks, including trying different ports and encryption. No go. My login info works on the Comcast email website. Very frustrating.
My Outlook settings are:
Incoming 995
SMTP 465
SSL/TLS
It's been working perfectly until this morning.
(edited)
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VIP3R
Visitor
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2 Messages
2 days ago
Same problem here. I cannot connect through Thunderbird, but I can access my online email through Xfinity just fine.
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Bobby123678
Regular Visitor
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7 Messages
2 days ago
I am also having problems accessing my email from 3rd party software. This was working yesterday and now not.
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user_2voay0
Visitor
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1 Message
2 days ago
Good call Old Grumpy1.
Same here on Thunderbird & windows10. Same POP3 config as you. SMTP works, POP3 does NOT.
I also tried changing the server name to pop3.comcast.net to no avail.
I'm in Philadelphia PA
(edited)
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MelvinTheGrate
Problem Solver
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717 Messages
2 days ago
Same problem here since 7:45 PM CDT 26 Aug 2025. First found in Linux fetchmail, but same problem if I try to connect using Windows 11.
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user_8brcxm
Visitor
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1 Message
2 days ago
Same problem: Windows 11 using Thunderbird mail
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Andyross
Gold Problem Solver
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8K Messages
2 days ago
Also having some weird issues with both Thunderbird on my computer, and Outlook on the phone.
TB gives an error that the connection was reset. Sometimes, if I close and reopen TB, it will then work for a bit and at least download mail. This uses POP3.
On the phone's Outlook, which I believe is set up for IMAP, it constantly asks for the password. It may take 2 or 3 tries before it works, but it will later fail again.
On the phone, Yahoo mail and FairEmail both seem to work without problems. Both are using IMAP.
As it is, with the upcoming change to Yahoo servers, I have been moving everything to a different email anyways.
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OldGrumpy1
Visitor
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10 Messages
2 days ago
[Update: 11:08 EDT 8/27/25 I STAND CORRECTED ; Not fixed...getting the old error again
NOT FIXED!!
TRY IT NOW. ]I spent 30 mins on a call with tech support. Clearly she did not understand. She had me change the POP3 server name, and it did start to work. That said, my wife's computer Thunderbird app started working when I restarted the app, and no change was made. [Update: 11:08 EDT 8/27/25 Not working again!] This was undoubtedly an outage of the POP3 servers, and based on the response to this forum posting, nationwide in the US.
Attention COMCAST management:
1) This was a service outage. Unacceptable.
2) Alas, the outage does not appear on the registry of outages, and therefore customers cannot receive compensation for the outage. Criminal really. But you thought that might save money.
3) It is unfair to your "technical" customer service reps to not inform them of outages. They look stupid to your customers. Maybe you don't care.
4) It is EXPENSIVE to COMCAST and RESULTS IN LOST PROFITABILITY when a customer service rep WASTES COMCAST'S MONEY on a 30 minute call that could be resolved in 1 minute, for each person that calls in to technical support. If the technical support customer service reps had a live stream or internal website with outages, even brief ones caused by internal technical problems, they could quickly provide that info and move on to the next customer. IF COMCAST MANAGEMENT REALLY CARED ABOUT MANAGING COSTS AND PRESERVING PROFIT TO SHAREHOLDERS, they would also post this info on the www.comcast.net, perhaps only on the login page, if they wished to avoid looking bad to non- (i.e. potential) customers. But NO! A foolish management outlook has decided treating customers poorly is the best road to profitability. The CEO and his lackeys must have gotten their MBAs from the back of a cereal box. Look for a decline in share prices in the not-too-distant-future unless you learn to manage better.
[Update: 11:08 EDT 8/27/25 5) REALLY? Get it together COMCAST! Not Fixed or Intermittent outages persist]
(edited)
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Andyross
Gold Problem Solver
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8K Messages
2 days ago
@OldGrumpy1 As I stated in my post, sometimes restarting TB would get it to work, but it won't last. There is something going on with it retaining authentication settings.
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OldGrumpy1
Visitor
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10 Messages
2 days ago
Update: 11:08 EDT 8/27/25 I STAND CORRECTED ; Not fixed...getting the old error again
NOT FIXED!!
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user_756ska
Visitor
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1 Message
2 days ago
Same issue here. Hattiesburg, MS.
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user_t7kcbj
Visitor
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1 Message
2 days ago
Same problem here. Just started today. I did not change anything on my end since it was last working.
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user_xk283g
Visitor
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2 Messages
2 days ago
Same here. Chicago area. Happens on multiple machines, as well as trying to use Thunderbird over a non-comcast network. Thunderbird works with all other email accounts that I have. I can send smtp but cannot receive pop3. My connection is always reset or refused
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user_8zh4j2
Visitor
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1 Message
2 days ago
I'm have the same issue attempting to connect Thunderbird to Comcast email. I can send but not receive. When Thunderbird opens, I get the message "connection to server mail.comcast.net was reset."
Evidently it was reset to "broken."
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