Author Topic: Can't send Outlook 2016 SMTP e-mail unless I disable the Avast Firewall.  (Read 4908 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

REDACTED

  • Guest
It uses:  smtp.comcast.net.
When I attempt to ping this address, it changes it to smtp.g.comcast.net
There is no response to my ping.

When I turn off the firewall, I can send my e-mail just fine.  This problem started after I moved to a new place.  Still with Comcast/Xfinity.  It's been working fine for about 1.5 years.  I didn't make any changes.  I receive my POP3 e-mail (from another site).  No problem, but nothing leaves my Outbox until I turn off the firewall.  I tried adding the Port that Comcast needs (87) to the outgoing ports listed.  It made no difference.

It doesn't make any difference in the error message if I change my user name and password, even to fake ones.  Clearly, I'm not communicating with the SMTP server at all until I turn off the Avast firewall.

Is there a way I can punch a hole in the firewall for SMTP?


Offline Asyn

  • Avast Überevangelist
  • Certainly Bot
  • *****
  • Posts: 76037
    • >>>  Avast Forum - Deutschsprachiger Bereich  <<<
W8.1 [x64] - Avast Free AV 23.3.8047.BC [UI.757] - Firefox ESR 102.9 [NS/uBO/PB] - Thunderbird 102.9.1
Avast-Tools: Secure Browser 109.0 - Cleanup 23.1 - SecureLine 5.18 - DriverUpdater 23.1 - CCleaner 6.01
Avast Wissenswertes (Downloads, Anleitungen & Infos): https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=60523.0

REDACTED

  • Guest
Thanks, Asyn.  This article talks about how to add items to the firewall.  I'm not sure what I need to configure Outlook 2016 specifically.  Again, this same firewall was working before I moved.  In both locations it was Comcast/Xfinity as the ISP.

In Avast's firewall settings, I see these applications/settings:
     Both of these applications show allowed connections as:  Internet Out (otherwise auto-decide)

Microsoft Outlook - Allowing outbound access to the Internet on all ports.
Microsoft Outlook Communications - Allowing outbound access to the Internet on ports 443,80,587.
   I added the 587.
      For all other connections, Auto-decide.

Offline Asyn

  • Avast Überevangelist
  • Certainly Bot
  • *****
  • Posts: 76037
    • >>>  Avast Forum - Deutschsprachiger Bereich  <<<
Another SMTP port is 25, try adding it.
W8.1 [x64] - Avast Free AV 23.3.8047.BC [UI.757] - Firefox ESR 102.9 [NS/uBO/PB] - Thunderbird 102.9.1
Avast-Tools: Secure Browser 109.0 - Cleanup 23.1 - SecureLine 5.18 - DriverUpdater 23.1 - CCleaner 6.01
Avast Wissenswertes (Downloads, Anleitungen & Infos): https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=60523.0

REDACTED

  • Guest
Tried adding port 25.  No help.  When I turn off the Avast firewall, SMTP works again.

Offline bob3160

  • Avast Überevangelist
  • Probably Bot
  • *****
  • Posts: 48524
  • 64 Years of Happiness
    • bob3160 Protecting Yourself, Your Computer and, Your Identity
Free Security Seminar: https://bit.ly/bobg2023  -  Important: http://www.organdonor.gov/ -- My Web Site: http://bob3160.strikingly.com/ - Win 11 Pro v22H2 64bit, 16 Gig Ram, 1TB SSD, Avast Free 23.5.6066, How to Successfully Install Avast http://goo.gl/VLXdeRepair & Clean Install https://goo.gl/t7aJGq -- My Online Activity https://bit.ly/BobGInternet

REDACTED

  • Guest
I would reset the rules, if I only knew what to reset. Directing SMTP traffic to the Port 587 (as Comcast describes) doesn't make any difference, even when I list it in the rules.  So, unless there is a button that says "Reset The Rules" that I can press, I need a more detailed description of what to reset.

I tried Repair and reboot (under the app in the control panel).  No help.

Offline Asyn

  • Avast Überevangelist
  • Certainly Bot
  • *****
  • Posts: 76037
    • >>>  Avast Forum - Deutschsprachiger Bereich  <<<
- Which Avast..? (Free/Pro/IS/Premier)
- Which version..?
- OS..? (32/64 Bit..? - which SP/Build..?)
- Other security related software installed..?
- Which AV(s) did you use before Avast..?
W8.1 [x64] - Avast Free AV 23.3.8047.BC [UI.757] - Firefox ESR 102.9 [NS/uBO/PB] - Thunderbird 102.9.1
Avast-Tools: Secure Browser 109.0 - Cleanup 23.1 - SecureLine 5.18 - DriverUpdater 23.1 - CCleaner 6.01
Avast Wissenswertes (Downloads, Anleitungen & Infos): https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=60523.0

Offline bob3160

  • Avast Überevangelist
  • Probably Bot
  • *****
  • Posts: 48524
  • 64 Years of Happiness
    • bob3160 Protecting Yourself, Your Computer and, Your Identity
I would reset the rules, if I only knew what to reset. Directing SMTP traffic to the Port 587 (as Comcast describes) doesn't make any difference, even when I list it in the rules.  So, unless there is a button that says "Reset The Rules" that I can press, I need a more detailed description of what to reset.

I tried Repair and reboot (under the app in the control panel).  No help.
Have you tried a clean install which would reset all rules and wipe out any rules that might now be blocking things ???

Clean Install of Avast:
https://goo.gl/4Ptzkf
If you need additional help with the Clean Install, watch this:
https://youtu.be/p-h3myRD51A
Free Security Seminar: https://bit.ly/bobg2023  -  Important: http://www.organdonor.gov/ -- My Web Site: http://bob3160.strikingly.com/ - Win 11 Pro v22H2 64bit, 16 Gig Ram, 1TB SSD, Avast Free 23.5.6066, How to Successfully Install Avast http://goo.gl/VLXdeRepair & Clean Install https://goo.gl/t7aJGq -- My Online Activity https://bit.ly/BobGInternet

REDACTED

  • Guest
Re: Can't send Outlook 2016 SMTP e-mail unless I disable the Avast Firewall.
« Reply #9 on: September 14, 2017, 04:00:19 PM »
It seems a fair amount of us are having problems with Avast and Outlook 2016 after the most recent Windows update.

I called them to ask about it.  They told me it was due to some minuscule remnants of a previous installation of Malwarebites and that when you uninstall mwb you need to use a tool and not just "remove program".  While i was on hold i did just that - i downloaded the mwb uninstall tool and cleaned it out of my pc - restarted pc - same problem.  They then told me they would charge me to dig into my pc and "fix" the problem.

When i explained that this wasn't my PC's problem, it was an "Avast not working with Windows and Outlook problem" they just got ignorant and insisted on charging me to go any further.  My response to them was not for public consumption.  Avast has now become a scam - an attempt to further separate you from your money.  There are other tools out there i can use. 

Offline bob3160

  • Avast Überevangelist
  • Probably Bot
  • *****
  • Posts: 48524
  • 64 Years of Happiness
    • bob3160 Protecting Yourself, Your Computer and, Your Identity
Re: Can't send Outlook 2016 SMTP e-mail unless I disable the Avast Firewall.
« Reply #10 on: September 14, 2017, 04:14:35 PM »
Phone support is handled by a third party. It doesn't lessen Avast's responsability but, you aren't getting help from Avast.
If you want help directly from Avast follow this: https://support.avast.com/support/tickets/new?form=3
Free Security Seminar: https://bit.ly/bobg2023  -  Important: http://www.organdonor.gov/ -- My Web Site: http://bob3160.strikingly.com/ - Win 11 Pro v22H2 64bit, 16 Gig Ram, 1TB SSD, Avast Free 23.5.6066, How to Successfully Install Avast http://goo.gl/VLXdeRepair & Clean Install https://goo.gl/t7aJGq -- My Online Activity https://bit.ly/BobGInternet

REDACTED

  • Guest
Re: Can't send Outlook 2016 SMTP e-mail unless I disable the Avast Firewall.
« Reply #11 on: September 14, 2017, 05:02:54 PM »
I've reported similar but not quite the same issues here with releases over time.

Try:
Ping your SMTP server and get the IP address. Then replace the hostname in our email config with the IP address.

My problem is usually that DNS resolution gets cutoff, but apps like Skype still work because they use an IP.
If this IS the problem, the pattern here is this:
- Avast doesn't acknowledge the issue in the forum.
- I cite a bunch of current and past examples of the exact same problem.
- They delete my posts as over-posting rather than recognizing that I'm putting multiple confirmations of an ongoing issue.
- I leave protection off.
- Within some number of days a new build is released that fixes the problem.
- We all move on like it didn't happen.

I hope you have the same luck in this area that I've had.  :o