Failed to connect to POP. CENTURYLINK.net server

[joe935]

For a while now, when using Mailwasher it gets the error "Can not connect to server" 50% of the time. But after a few tries it does connect. Or sometimes connects on first try. I am beginning to think it is the Centurylink server problem.

I was using another app called Magic Mail which also had the same problem connecting to Centurylink.

I am wondering if any one else is experiencing this problem? And if you resolved the problem, what did it?

Thanks

[Digerati]

Not sure what to tell you here. I'm a old fuddy-duddy when it comes to many things. I still have a landline phone and it works this morning. It is with CenturyLink. I just logged into my account with no problems. So at least part of their network works. They are not my ISP or mail service provider, however.

Since you are having this issue with Magic Mail too, that suggests it is not a MailWasher problem.

I see according to Is the Service Down, there have been problems in the last 24 hours - depending on where you live.

When did the problem start? If just recently, you may just have to wait it out.

[joe935]

This problem started when Brightspeed took over the centurylink mail server and internet service although not much trouble with internet.

I dont think the problem is either Mailwasher or Magic Mail, I am 99% positive it it the centurylink service. But getting them to do something about it is another story.
So that's why I am asking if there are other users of the centurylink mail server, if they are experiencing the same problem?

[Digerati]

I am 99% positive it it the centurylink service. But getting them to do something about it is another story.

I doubt it is their network or else 1000s (millions!) of users would be complaining. And checking again with "Is The Service Down" shows it is up in most areas. Similar status reporting sites say the same thing:

https://downforeveryoneorjustme.com/centurylink.net
https://issitedownrightnow.com/status/centurylink.net

But it sure could be a local service issue to your house or neighborhood. Do you have any neighbors with CenturyLink you can check with? What about other computers in your home?

[joe935]

They are not the same IE Centurylink mail and Centurylink Internet. Centurylink mail was give to Brightspeed (sold)
Right now I couldn't connect to the mail server with both the webmail and Mailwasher, but while typing this it came up.
No one in my neighborhood uses centurylink mail.

[Digerati]

I know they are not the same. That's why I was using centurylink.net instead of centurylink.com. I note not all CenturyLink subscribers went to Brightspeed. But again, if this were widespread, regardless if CenturyLink or Brightspeed, there would be widespread reports. I'm not seeing that.

I suggest you run through this: https://www.centurylink.com/home/help/i ... email.html

I may be a waste of time but it is likely tech support will tell you to run through it anyway. So you can say you did that when you make the call.

Your problem getting any help is the fact this problem is only intermittent. That makes it very difficult to troubleshoot - especially Murphy's Law dictates it will work fine when you call them.

You really need accessing from your network with another computer.

And next time you cannot connect, check your network connection with https://www.speedtest.net/. If speedtest shows good connection and speed, it is not your local network or your internet connection.

[joe935]

Bill, First, thanks for your reply. I must tell you I have done 98% of what you say before my original Post here, but i just installed mailwasher on my laptop so will wait to see if it has the same problem. As I wrote previous I was using another program called Magic Mail and it was having the same connection to server problem, so I installed mailwasher.
May I ask, Are you using brightspeed and there centurylink server in the Virginia?
Let me give you my background, Almost 20 years with IBM as Tech Support Rep, So I am not new to diagnosing computer problems.

[Digerati]

Are you using brightspeed and there centurylink server in the Virginia?

Sorry but I think I gave some confusing information. As I noted in my first post above, I only use CenturyLink for my landline phone. They are not my internet service provider (ISP) or my email provider.

When I said I used CenturyLink.net, I meant when using the "is the service down" app, I used the .net address to test if the site was up or not.

Let me give you my background, Almost 20 years with IBM as Tech Support Rep, So I am not new to diagnosing computer problems.

Well, I won't hold your obvious youth and lack of experience against you! (Follow the link in my sig - sorry it takes so long to load)

[joe935]

Just to let you know, The laptop and mailwasher gets the fail to connect error also. Oh and I liked the Reagan quote. Thanks again, Bill and Thanks for your Service.

[Digerati]

LOL - well, it was a bit of a paraphrase, but glad you got it.

Since this is also happening on a second computer, it could be a firewall setting in your router - though again, being intermittent makes it puzzling.

And thanks.

[gingbat]

Yes, sounds to me too like the provider is having issues, it's unlikely both mailwasher or magic mail are having issues at the same time on 2 different systems as one cannot cause connection issues in the other.... both connect to the centrylink mail server independently.

[joe935]

My supposition exactly. But that's why I was hoping for more users of the Brightspeed pop.centurylink.net mail server.

[joe935]

Just to let you know, It looks like the mail server has been fixed. Only 1 "failed to connect to server" error in the last 3 days.