Why can I send but not receive IMAP emails using Outlook, Windows Live Mail or eM Client?

[SandT]

Since May 5, I can send but not receive emails using email client such as Outlook 2010, Windows Live Mail or eM Client, on my Windows 7 desktop PC. I called Bell support to confirm all setting are correct: 

Incoming IMAP server: imap.bell.net, port 993, SSL required (does not work)

Outgoing SMTP server: smtphm.sympatico.ca, port 587 (works)

Outgoing mail is stuck in Outbox folder and does not get saved in Sent folder,  but recipient confirms receiving email.  I cannot read incoming email using client, but can read on my Android phone.

I can send and receive email using Bell WebMail or another PC with Outlook 365 client with no problem with same account..

I have seen posts that other users have a similar issue. Can you help?

[dks]

Thank you for your question. Unfortunately, Office 2010 is no longer supported by Microsoft, but your installation should be repairable. Follow the steps in this post in the Microsoft support forum to repair your Outlook installation. I have found that this method can resolve many issues across the Office suite. You will not lose any of your e-mails, either. 
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook_com/forum/all/how-to-repair-outlook/270a3262-0ad7-49f6-b... 

[WelshTerrier]

Good Day & Welcome to the Bell Community Forum.

Your issues are more than likely related to your operating system. You proved this by being able to access your email account from another computer. You were able to send & receive your emails.

Microsoft no longer provides support or provides any updates for Windows 7 , Outlook 2010, Internet Explorer, etc. If you were using a much newer operating system, I would suggest doing a reinstall or repair.

Have you tried accessing your mail with a browser on this computer?

Bell Webmail:  https://webmail.bell.net/

Have you checked your antivirus software for errors or potential issues? Firewall? 

You can try running Windows 7 System File checker to repair or check for a missing file. You can also rollback your system to an earlier date using Windows 7 with System Restore. (Unless you know what you are doing, these commands can cause you more harm than good.)

You can have a look at the link I have provided below. It may be of some assistance.

Troubleshooting Bell email

I wish I could do more & offer up to you a firm solution & quick fix but I can not do so in a simple reply to your question. You could send your computer out fo repair. This in itself may not be cost effective & not necessarily the right decision to make. 

Take care.

[SandT]

Thank you for your quick reply.  I tried running Outlook Repair option yesterday, and the IMAP incoming email error persists. Windows Live Mail and eM Client also have the same issue. I have not tried to recreate my email account yet, but will follow suggestions to repair Windows 7 operating system described in next post first.  Will let you know how it works.

[SandT]

Thank you for your quick reply. I can send and receive email using Bell Webmail with Google Chrome browser on the same Windows 7 computer where Outlook 2010, Windows Live Mail, and eM Client cannot receive emails.  I will run full virus scan overnight.  Firewall is on and reports no issues.  I may try the other options you mention later this week. I will keep you informed. Thanks.  (I can receive emails using Outlook 365 on a Windows 10 laptop without issues).

[dks]

Thank you for the update. All of the signs you give suggest the issue is not within the modem, Bell's equipment or Office itself but in your Windows 7 installation. It is possible Windows 7 files have been corrupted (it does happen). Unfortunately,  Microsoft ended their support of Windows 7 in January 2020. At the same time, it is possible for you to still perform a Repair Install of Windows 7, which will restore all your Windows 7 files without touching your personal files and data. 

Because this is a user to user forum and Bell does not support non-Bell equipment or programs, I can only suggest you do a quick search using "windows 7 repair install", where you will find lots of options available. You will have to download the full Windows 7 installation file from Microsoft and have a blank USB stick available, too.  If you do not feel comfortable doing that, I suggest taking the computer to a reputable computer repair shop and have them perform the repair install. 

[Aclou]

I have exactly same issue, on the same date, eM client stop connecting with imap server!  Coincidence.. I doubt it…has Bell changed some parameters on the imap server causing this issue? What is the solution to solve this issue? Thanks

[Vanadiel]

E-mail client and operating system version used to retrieve e-mail?

[Aclou]

eM Client: version 9.2.2258

Windows: Windows 7 Family Premium Edition, Service pack 1

Note: All was working fine before May 5th, eM was connecting with server..?

Thanks for your help

[Vanadiel · Accepted solution]

This is the list of minimum e-mail clients and operating systems supported by Bell. They have enforced these very recently and there has been communication around this well ahead of the changes and subsequent enforcement.

eM is not on the list of supported clients, so you might have to contact eM to see if they have any updates in the works to make the client compliant with the security requirements enforced by Bell.

[dks]

Given that Bell no longer supports Outlook 2010 but requires Microsoft Outlook 2013 and higher, That answers your question. You will have to upgrade your e-mail client. 

[mrsb]

bell email everthing seems to have changed I cannot get my email history or incoming messages .

[SandT]

I understand now that Bell no longer supports Outlook 2010, WLM or eM client.  I would have liked to upgrade to Outlook 365 on Windows 7 but Microsoft does not support this.  I may try installing Thunderbird 31 on Windows 7 PC, as this is listed as supported by Bell.  Will see how it goes...

[Aclou]

Thunderbird works fine, thanks for the tip.

[SandT]

I installed Thunderbird email client and it works great!  I did receive the email regarding Bell not supporting older email clients, but thought it was a scam. Unfortunately, there are many scam emails pretending to be Bell asking for personal information, so genuine warnings are not heeded.  I recommend Bell get after the scammers who pretend to be Bell as it impacts customers.

Thanks to everyone who participated in this thread, as it helped me out alot 🙂