Software Questions and Answers - Outlook Express Socket Error

Charmaine writes in with a software question

Question:I am able to receive email through Outlook Express, but I am not able to send any emails. The following error information is given: No. Socket Error - 10053 Error # - 0x800CCCOF. Thank you for your help.

Answer: Since Outlook Express is combined with Internet Explorer I would begin by running the Windows System File Checker on your computer since it can fix IE problems.

You may also want to try method 4 from this Microsoft link
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/318378

Here are the steps from the Microsoft link:

1. Click Start, click Run, type %systemroot%\inf, and then press Enter.
2. Find the Ie.inf file that is located in Windows\Inf folder.
3. Right-click the Ie.inf file, and then click Install.
4. Restart the computer when the file copy process is complete.

Another option is to do a System Restore back to a point where Outlook was working fine.

Also disable any antivirus or firewall software you are using if it is set to scan outgoing emails since I have heard of Norton having this problem. Norton Internet Security seems to cause a lot of problems from what I've seen.

Make sure your OE settings are correct and that the outgoing server has not been changed. You may also want to copy down all your settings on all the tabs, delete the mail account and then recreate it since your email account/profile may be corrupt.

Just make sure you backup your address book and email.

You can make a new account with the same settings only a different name and see if it will let you send your emails.

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