Socket Error 10060 is an error that occurs while using email, and it specifically refers to a timeout while communicating with the email provider servers. The causes can be found in email settings, in authentication settings, in firewall settings, in anti-virus programs and in the blocking of simple mail transfer protocol (SMTP) by an Internet service provider (ISP). This error will most often occur while the computer user is sending email rather than receiving it.
The vast majority of all email uses SMTP for outgoing mail. Socket Error 10060 in most instances is related to the SMTP settings for the user's email. Every email provider has unique settings for its services, so a user must contact his or her ISP or visiting its support website to determine the correct settings.
When a Socket Error 10060 occurs, the user should first check the names of the POP3 and SMTP servers to ensure that they are correct. The next thing he or she should check is the outgoing SMTP port. Email providers change this value more than any other in their individual settings. If authentication is required, the user should click the “Server Requires Authentication” box. All email clients should have this selection option.
If the email settings are correct and the Socket Error 10060 is still occurring, the cause might be firewall software. The user should turn off any installed firewall software to test the email connection. If this resolves the error, the user should follow the instructions in the support documentation for that particular firewall software to create an exception for the email program.
When that does not correct the error, the user should open a command prompt and ping the SMTP server address obtained from the email provider. If the ping is unsuccessful and the computer is connected to a router, the user should connect it directly to the cable modem to test whether the router hardware firewall is blocking the SMTP traffic. If this is the case, the user should consult the router documentation to create exceptions for the SMTP port his or her email provider uses. Alternatively, the cause might be the SMTP server being blocked by the user's ISP. He or she should contact the ISP for possible workarounds or to request unblocking.
There is the possibility that a virus or malware is blocking SMTP communication. The user should update any anti-virus or anti-malware programs and run a complete scan. If a Socket Error 10060 is still occurring, the issue might be caused on the email provider's end. The user should contact the email provider and see whether there are any issues on that end.
