How to Fix Outlook 2021 POP Errors 0x80042109 and 8
Question details
The user needs to resolve error codes 0x80042109 and 8 in Outlook 2021, which are preventing their POP account from sending and receiving emails.
- Product
- Microsoft Outlook 2021
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to send or receive emails using a POP account configuration.
- Observed behavior
- Outlook fails to connect to the mail server, throwing error codes 0x80042109 and 8, completely blocking incoming and outgoing mail flow.
Before modifying your email account settings, verify that your internet connection is stable and gather the correct POP and SMTP port numbers from your email provider.
Verify POP and SMTP Server Settings
Incorrect server settings are the most common cause of error 0x80042109. Checking and updating your account configurations can quickly restore your mail flow.
Email providers frequently update their security requirements and port numbers. If your Outlook client is using outdated settings, the connection to the outgoing mail server will be rejected.
Launch Outlook 2021, click on the File tab in the top-left corner, and select Account Settings, then click Account Settings from the drop-down menu.
In the Email tab, click on your POP email account to highlight it, and then click the Change button above.
Verify that the addresses listed under Incoming mail server (POP3) and Outgoing mail server (SMTP) perfectly match the ones provided by your email service.
Click on More Settings, navigate to the Advanced tab, and ensure the port numbers are correct. Typically, POP3 uses port 995 and SMTP uses 465 or 587 with SSL/TLS encryption enabled.
Temporarily Disable Antivirus Email Scanning
Overly aggressive antivirus software can intercept and block Outlook from communicating with the mail server.
Allow Outlook Through Windows Firewall
If Windows Firewall is blocking Outlook's network access, the application will not be able to establish a connection to your POP or SMTP servers.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does Outlook error 0x80042109 mean?
Error 0x80042109 indicates that Outlook cannot connect to your outgoing (SMTP) e-mail server. This is typically caused by incorrect server settings, blocked network ports, or firewall restrictions.
How do I find my correct POP and SMTP server settings?
You can find the correct POP and SMTP server settings by visiting the official support or help page of your email service provider, such as Gmail, Yahoo, or your local Internet Service Provider.
Can my antivirus software cause email errors in Outlook?
Yes, some antivirus programs include an email scanning feature that intercepts network connections. If misconfigured, this feature can block Outlook from communicating with the server, resulting in send/receive errors.
Why am I getting error 8 alongside error 0x80042109?
Error 8 in this context usually points to a broader connectivity or authentication issue. It often occurs simultaneously when both incoming and outgoing server connections fail due to security software interference or incorrect port configuration.
