Totalise emails and NordVPN

[#1]

Hi,

I recently downloaded NordVPN on my Windows 10 computer and find that I now can't send emails. Using MS Outlook for email and get the following message.

Task 'xxxx@totalise.co.uk - Sending' reported error (0x800CCC67) : ' 

The server responded: 421 Cannot connect to SMTP server 212.159.8.240 (212.159.8.240:25), connect error 10060'

I've tried to add MS Outlook to NordVPN 'Split Tunneling' which I presume will exclude the VPN use when using MS Outlook?

Not been able to and trying to work on that angle.

Should I be changing my settings on Outlook?

Regards

Pete

[#2 · Accepted solution]

If you drop the VPN, does this work without issue?

Why are you using a VPN?  There is very little legitimate use for a VPN outside of facilitating secure networking between a remote client (you) and a closed private network.  The use of VPNs (as so often mis-sold) to hide something or other is somewhat nefarious and - as here - serves only to create other issues.

I note that you are attempting to connect to the SMTP server for email message submission on port 25, which is reserved for MTA to MTA email message relay.  The correct port email message submission from an email client is 587.

Many closed secure networks of the ilk one would use a VPN for, would be likely to block external access to port 25, expecting all outbound email to be routed by a SMTP server within that secure network.

10060 is a server time out error which could arise from access being blocked by the VPN service (as described above) or just a general time out.  You could try extending the server time out value in your Outlook settings.

[#3]

Make sure the MS Outlook a/c has Credentials and Encryption enabled for both in bound and out bound servers.

[#4]

Thanks @Townman for your reply. Yes it works without the VPN - have removed it from my Android phone. Now can send and receive on the phone. I have not removed the VPN program from my computer as I thought it would add an extra layer of security for banking/investing/financial transactions as I keep getting messages that my IP address is visible to hackers? Plus able to watch sport available in other countries, but not available in UK.

I’ve eventually figured out how to set up the split tunnelling feature on NordVPN which switches off the VPN for MSOutlook.

Settings – Split Tunnelling – Select Outlook from program files. Ive also added Avast & Malwarebytes as didn’t want conflicts from them. (had to restart computer as some boxes greyed out)

All seems to be working now, emails sending now.

Thanks again.

Pete

[#5]

Using NordVPN for online banking / shopping will be detected and will leave red flags all over your bank accounts. Generic VPNs are frequently used for evasion and fraud, they may be falsely sold as for security but with HTTPS being standard they serve no purpose & should not be used for everyday tasks.

I see you have found away to side step NordVPN for email, but have you enabled encryption on both email servers ? if not you are sharing your email credentials in the open every few minutes.  NordVPN is not a fix for this.