Author Topic: Can't send e-mail, SSL_connect error 38. Is this an Avast issue?  (Read 10543 times)

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Hubbaman

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Hi,
I have been using Thunderbird and Avast free edition for some time. Since a couple of days ago, I can't send e-mails using any of my accounts, but I can still receive e-mails. I get the following error message (the first line is my translation to English):

An error occurred while sending mail: The e-mail server sent an incorrect hello text:
Cannot establish TLS with SMTP server XX.XX.XX.XX, SSL_connect error 38.

I am using Thunderbird 3.1.10 and Avast 6.0.1125.

Could this be caused by Avast? Any ideas how to fix it? Thanks!


SafeSurf

  • Guest
Re: Can't send e-mail, SSL_connect error 38. Is this an Avast issue?
« Reply #1 on: May 16, 2011, 10:51:26 AM »
Did this problem just occur after upgrading to the newest version of Avast or can you relate this problem to any other changes you did on your machine?

Is your machine acting fine other wise?

Are your settings for Avast set at default or did you make any changes?

Hubbaman

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Re: Can't send e-mail, SSL_connect error 38. Is this an Avast issue?
« Reply #2 on: May 16, 2011, 11:01:28 AM »
Did this problem just occur after upgrading to the newest version of Avast or can you relate this problem to any other changes you did on your machine?

I do not think it started with the very last version of Avast. After the problem occurred, I checked for an update to Avast to see if that might solve the problem, and that's when I found and installed version 6.0.1125. (I update fairly often, though, so I was not using a very old version either.)

Is your machine acting fine other wise?

Yes.

Are your settings for Avast set at default or did you make any changes?

I'm not really sure, it's been a while since I configured it. Anything in particular I shoud look for?

SafeSurf

  • Guest
Re: Can't send e-mail, SSL_connect error 38. Is this an Avast issue?
« Reply #3 on: May 16, 2011, 11:07:47 AM »
In reviewing your recent posts, I noticed that you may have had or had some malware issues this past year.  Have you done Avast scans and MBAM scans to rule out malware?  

So this problem has been going on for several version upgrades of Avast?  At least for version 5.0 - the current version?

What is your firewall and is anything blocking your email or Avast?
« Last Edit: May 16, 2011, 11:23:03 AM by SafeSurf »

Hubbaman

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Re: Can't send e-mail, SSL_connect error 38. Is this an Avast issue?
« Reply #4 on: May 16, 2011, 02:12:45 PM »
In reviewing your recent posts, I noticed that you may have had or had some malware issues this past year.  Have you done Avast scans and MBAM scans to rule out malware? 

Yes, I have just done full scans. Nothing found.

So this problem has been going on for several version upgrades of Avast?  At least for version 5.0 - the current version?

No, that is not the case. The problem only started a couple of days ago, and I have been running version 6 of Avast for some time, at least a couple of months, I think.

What is your firewall and is anything blocking your email or Avast?

I'm using the Windows firewall. Can't find anything that I think would block e-mails.

Offline Zyndstoff (aka Steven Gail)

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Re: Can't send e-mail, SSL_connect error 38. Is this an Avast issue?
« Reply #5 on: May 16, 2011, 02:21:55 PM »
What program gives this error-message? Thunderbird?

Normally, you do disable all SSL and TLS in Thunderbird, that part is done by Avast if the "Scan inbound" and "Scan outbound" options are enabled.
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Hubbaman

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Re: Can't send e-mail, SSL_connect error 38. Is this an Avast issue?
« Reply #6 on: May 16, 2011, 02:37:24 PM »
What program gives this error-message? Thunderbird?

Yes. When I click "send" i get the error message. Before I click OK to remove the error message, the e-mail window is open with the progress bar says "Connected to [mail server]..." When I click OK, the progress bar disappears.

Normally, you do disable all SSL and TLS in Thunderbird, that part is done by Avast if the "Scan inbound" and "Scan outbound" options are enabled.

SSL/TLS is disabled in Thunderbird for all accounts.

Offline Zyndstoff (aka Steven Gail)

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Re: Can't send e-mail, SSL_connect error 38. Is this an Avast issue?
« Reply #7 on: May 16, 2011, 02:48:19 PM »
Okay, then try this:
Close Thunderbird.
In Avast, go to Mail Shield, Expert Settings, SSL-Accounts. Delete all accounts listed there.
Reboot and start Thunderbird, check your email-accounts (receive + send).
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Hubbaman

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Re: Can't send e-mail, SSL_connect error 38. Is this an Avast issue?
« Reply #8 on: May 16, 2011, 02:51:12 PM »
OK, thanks. I will try that later today and report back.

Hubbaman

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Re: Can't send e-mail, SSL_connect error 38. Is this an Avast issue?
« Reply #9 on: May 16, 2011, 09:54:35 PM »
Okay, then try this:
Close Thunderbird.
In Avast, go to Mail Shield, Expert Settings, SSL-Accounts. Delete all accounts listed there.
Reboot and start Thunderbird, check your email-accounts (receive + send).

I have tried this now, but I'm afraid it didn't solve the problem. Everything is still the same. I am receiving mail, but I can't send.

Hubbaman

  • Guest
Re: Can't send e-mail, SSL_connect error 38. Is this an Avast issue?
« Reply #10 on: May 16, 2011, 10:03:51 PM »
I tried turning off the real time e-mail shield in Avast and sending mail, but then the operation times out immediately.

Hubbaman

  • Guest
Re: Can't send e-mail, SSL_connect error 38. Is this an Avast issue?
« Reply #11 on: May 16, 2011, 10:34:13 PM »
Actually, deactivating all shields does not help. Does this mean that Avast is not causing this?

Nesivos

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Re: Can't send e-mail, SSL_connect error 38. Is this an Avast issue?
« Reply #12 on: May 16, 2011, 11:17:48 PM »
What are your outgoing Mail Server settings?

If the port is 25 it could be blocked.


Hubbaman

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Re: Can't send e-mail, SSL_connect error 38. Is this an Avast issue?
« Reply #13 on: May 16, 2011, 11:35:55 PM »
What are your outgoing Mail Server settings?

Port 587.
Connection security: STARTTLS
Authentication: Normal password

Edit: Spelling.
« Last Edit: May 17, 2011, 12:27:02 AM by Hubbaman »

Offline Zyndstoff (aka Steven Gail)

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Re: Can't send e-mail, SSL_connect error 38. Is this an Avast issue?
« Reply #14 on: May 17, 2011, 07:34:07 AM »
Disable STARTTLS in TBird. I thought you had disabled all SSL/TLS...? Then set Avast to scan in- / outbound.

What is your Email provider?
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