Charter outgoing mail server not working — Complete Troubleshooting Guide
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Having trouble with a non-working Charter outgoing mail server? Learn how to troubleshoot SMTP errors, issues with sending, password difficulties, SSL problems, and configuration of the server in this comprehensive guide.

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If you are dealing with *email sending failures*, “SMTP server error” messages, or emails stuck in the Outbox, you are not alone. Thousands of users report the **Charter outgoing mail server not working** each year, due to wrong settings, authentication failures, server downtime, or network restrictions.

This detailed, expert-backed guide walks you through **every fix** necessary to get your outgoing email sending again, no matter if you're using Spectrum Webmail, Outlook, Apple Mail, Thunderbird, iPhone, or Android.

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## **Introduction to Charter Outgoing Mail Server Issues**

Charter email is powered by Spectrum's modern server infrastructure. Receiving email usually works flawlessly, but *sending email* relies exclusively on the SMTP server. If your SMTP settings are wrong or blocked, your messages fail instantly.

What Causes Charter Email Sending Problems?

The most common reasons include:

* Incorrect SMTP port
* Wrong outgoing mail server
* authentication disabled
SSL not enabled
* Password Recently Changed
* Device with old credentials stored
The connection might be blocked by a firewall or a VPN.
* Spectrum server outage
SmtpException: * Too many emails being sent at once (rate limit)

* Certificate or SSL handshake errors

Signs Your SMTP Server Isn't Working

You may see:
* “Cannot send mail”
* “SMTP server not responding”
* “Authentication failed”
* “Relaying denied”
* Emails stuck in Outbox

* Error Code 0x800CCC0E / 0x80042109

* iPhone “Cannot connect using SSL”

If these look familiar, continue below.

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# Charter outgoing mail server not working: Step-by-Step Fixes

Follow these steps in order for best results.

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## Step 1: Verify Email Password and Account Login

Before you troubleshoot your outgoing email, make sure your Charter/Spectrum password is working.

Log into:

**[https://www.spectrum.net/login](https://www.spectrum.net/login)**
If the login fails, SMTP will NOT work.
How to Reset Spectrum/Charter Email Password

1. Click **Forgot Username or Password**

2. Verify with phone/email

3. Set a strong new password

4. Update password on ALL devices and apps

If *any device* has an old password saved, it can trigger a lockout.

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## Step 2: Check Your SMTP Settings Carefully

Incorrect SMTP settings are the #1 cause of **Charter outgoing mail server not working.
Correct Charter SMTP Server & Port Settings
Use these EXACT settings:
**Outgoing Mail (SMTP):**
* Server: **smtp.charter.net**
* Port: **587** (recommended)

* Alternate Port: **465

* SSL: **ON

* Authentication: **Required**

* Username: FULL Charter email

* Password: Your email password

If authentication is OFF, email sending will fail immediately.

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## Step 3: Fix Authentication & SSL Errors
Spectrum requires encrypted connections.

**SSL Requirements for Outgoing Mail

Make sure:

* SSL is enabled

* SMTP authentication is ON
* Username = full email address

* Password matches Spectrum login

On iPhone and iPad:

Settings → Mail → Accounts → Charter Email → Account → SMTP → select the server → make sure **Use SSL** is ON and Port = 587.

On Outlook:

File → Account Settings → More Settings → Outgoing Server → Check:
✔ “My outgoing server requires authentication”

✔ Use same settings as incoming mail

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## Step 4: Remove and Re-add Your Email Account

Sending will break if old SMTP data is cached.

Outlook Fix
* Remove Charter account

* Restart Outlook

* Re-add using IMAP + correct SMTP
Apple Mail Fix

Delete email account

* Restart Mac

* Add account manually (Other Mail Account)

iPHONE/IPAD FIX

* Settings → Mail → Accounts → Delete Account

* Restart iPhone

* Add manually using “Other”
ANDROID FIX ***
* Clear app cache
* Delete email account

* Re-add with manual setup

This solves 80% of all persistent SMTP errors.
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## Step 5: Troubleshoot Network Issues Affecting SMTP

Your outgoing server might not work because of your Internet connection.

**Firewalls, VPNs & ISP Restrictions

Temporarily disable the following:

* VPN

* Proxy server

* Firewall rules

Antivirus email scanning

* Public Wi-Fi blocks

Spectrum SMTP ports such as 587 and 465 are normally blocked on public or hotel Wi-Fi.

To test:

Try sending email over mobile hotspot.

If it works → your network is blocking SMTP.

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## Step 6: Fix Errors in Webmail vs Email Apps
If Webmail works but apps don’t:

* Incorrect SMTP settings

* Send limit exceeded

If Webmail *also* fails to send:

* Your account may be restricted

* The Spectrum server could be down.

Check Spectrum support status:

**[https://www.spectrum.net/support](https://www.spectrum.net/support)**
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# Advanced Fixes for Charter Outgoing Mail Issues

For intractable, complicated problems

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SMTP Server Timeouts & Rate Limits

Spectrum limits:

* Large attachments
* Too many recipients

Bulk sending

* Too many emails per hour

Split emails, if necessary, into smaller batches.

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Certificate Problems & Security Blocks
If you see:
* "Cannot verify server identity"
* “SSL handshake failed”

Fix:

* Update device OS
* Remove & re-add email account
* Reset network settings
* Make sure **smtp.charter.net** matches server identity

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## **Fixing DNS & Router Email Port Blocking **

Your router might be blocking outbound SMTP.

Try:

* Restart router

- Change DNS to Google DNS (8.8.8.8)

* Temporarily disable router firewall

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# **When to Contact Spectrum Support

You need Spectrum Support if:

* Password resets fail

* SMTP works on Webmail but not on any device

* Emails fail due to server-side issues

* Account is locked or disabled

* Messages bounce back with “Relay denied”

* E-mail suspected hacked

Information to Provide Spectrum Support

* Full email address * Device type: iPhone, Mac, PC, Android * Screenshot of an error message * SMTP settings you're using * Recent password changes This speeds up diagnosis. It could be argued that there are strong theoretical underpinnings for the belief in eventual resolution despite political systems' predispositions to self-interest and competition. #

**FAQs About Charter outgoing mail server not working**

**1. Why are my Charter emails stuck in the Outbox? Incorrect SMTP port or authentication disabled.

2. Why does Charter outgoing mail server not working happen after password changes? Your devices still have old credentials and cause an authentication failure.

**3. Why am I not able to send e-mails, but I can receive them? SMTP (Outgoing) settings are incorrect, though IMAP (incoming) is correct.

4. Should SMTP port be 587 or 465? First try 587, then if it doesn't work, use 465 with SSL.

**5. Why does SMTP fail on public Wi-Fi? Public networks often block outgoing email ports. **6. What if SMTP works in Webmail, but not on my device? Your app settings will need to be updated manually.

**Conclusion** In fact, the reasons for **Charter outgoing mail server not working** are almost always connected with outdated SMTP settings, password mismatches, SSL errors, and blocked outbound ports. By applying the exact server configuration, enabling authentication, removing old accounts, and fixing network restrictions, you can restore outgoing email. If issues persist, deeper server or account-level problems can be fixed by Spectrum Support.