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IMAP Broken Error Not Able to Connect to Mail Server: A Complete Guide to Fix the Issue

  Tej Pratap Shukla
Written By Tej Pratap Shukla
Anuraag Singh
Approved By Anuraag Singh
Modified On November 26th, 2025
Reading Time 8 Min Read

For many years, I have worked with many clients, and I have always faced one recurring issue, which is the imap broken error not able to connect to mail server. This affects many aspects, like IMAP folder is not properly syncing instantly, and the inbox becomes in accessible.

In this guide, from my experience, I will explain what causes the IMAP broken error, why your device shows an unable to connect to mail server message, and methods that I personally use to fix the issue.

What Is the IMAP Broken Error Not Able to Connect to Mail Server Error?

IMAP stands for Internet Message Access Protocol. This issue occurs when your email application fails to show a stable way to connect with your IMAP server. The IMAP job is to receive emails and sync folders across all devices.

This happens when IMAP breaks:

  • Emails not loading
  • Sync is stuck for a long time
  • IMAP Authentication Failed
  • Repeated “unable to connect to mail server” messages
  • Constant offline mode

This clearly means either the IMAP server timeout or unreachable or your email app is facing some issue.

Why Modern Email Users Prefer IMAP Syncing

I have noticed that modern email users prefer using IMAP, as it gives them flexibility, and syncing happens across devices in real time. Here are some more benefits that you will experience using the IMAP:

1. Emails stay synced across all devices, which means that you can read, delete, or move an email on one of your devices and the changes reflect on other devices at the same time.

2. No risk of losing important emails because emails are always there on the server, so even if you lose your device, you can log in to any other device and access all messages.

3. Better organisation with server-level folders, if I delete or rename any folder on my email app, this will be automatically done on all other devices.

4. Efficient storage management because all my emails stay on the server, so the storage doesn’t get exhausted on my local device.

5. Faster troubleshooting and recovery as the emails are stored in the server, while in the recovery process from issues, it becomes easier.

Common Reasons for This IMAP Broken Error Not Able to Connect to Mail Server Error

From my experience, the reasons behind the error are:

1. Incorrect IMAP settings can be the reason behind the error, like if the port number, server address, or security type is entered wrong.

2. Weak or blocked internet connection, along with firewalls or unstable networks, can interrupt or completely block IMAP traffic.

3. Sometimes the actual root cause of the error is from your provider’s end, not yours. You can contact them to ask if there is any server outage or maintenance.

4. Outdated passwords or missing app passwords can cause issues. Nowadays, you will see that modern email services require an app-specific password for third-party email clients.

5. Sometimes IMAP ports like 993 or 143 can be blocked by security tools, resulting in antivirus or firewall blocking IMAP ports.

6. A corrupt email application profile or a damaged profile may be a reason that you are unable to connect to mail server.

How I Fix the IMAP Broken Error Step-by-Step

These are some troubleshooting methods that I personally follow to resolve imap broken error not able to connect to mail server.

#Method 1. Confirm IMAP is Enabled On the Mail Server

Sometimes, due to some security reasons, mail services disable IMAP.

I do one thing: log in to the webmail settings and check:

  • IMAP access Enabled
  • POP/IMAP settings: Correctly configured

Also, check if your device is connected to a stable network because most of the time, fluctuating internet is one of the common causes of IMAP errors.

#Method 2. Double-check the IMAP Server Settings

In order to be sure that the incoming mail settings are correct:

Mismatch in any of the above results in “unable to connect to mail server” error

#Method 3. Verify the Username and App Password

Most of the users enter them incorrectly:

  • Full email ID
  • Case-sensitive app password
  • Wrong SMTP password for IMAP 

If 2FA verification is ON, then generate a new app password and enter it in the email client. This might fix the  imap broken error not able to connect to mail server

#Method 4. Disable Antivirus Email Scanning

Some security tools might block IMAP ports.

Temporarily disable them, and if the connection works, then it is pretty clear that the antivirus is causing the issue.

  • SSL scanning
  • Email protection
  • Firewall blocking unknown ports

#Method 5. Clear IMAP Cache and Rebuild the Mailbox

Most email clients store cached IMAP data.

Follow the steps below to clear the IMAP cache to resolve sync conflicts.

  • Outlook: Repair account > Clear OST
  • Thunderbird: Right-click folder > Properties > Repair Folder
  • Apple Mail: Sync > Rebuild mailbox

#Method 6. Check Server Status from the Provider

When nothing works, it is time to contact your email service provider might be possible that there is some issue from their end; you can check it:

  • Gmail Status Dashboard
  • Yahoo Mail System Status
  • Outlook Service Health

The server outages can cause temporary imap broken error not able to connect to mail server problems.

#Method 7. Reset Network Settings

At the end, I reset my device’s network settings, and most of the time, after this reset, IMAP get connected smoothly.

  • Flush DNS
  • Reset TCP/IP
  • Renew IP address
#Method 8. Create a New Profile

The reason for creating a new profile is sometimes the profile sometimes gets corrupted due to outdated settings or damaged cached files, as we discussed above. Creating a fresh profile resolves the issue instantly. So, first, remove IMAP account, and follow the steps:

Step 1. Open the control panel: Go to Start Menu > Control Panel

Step 2. Select “Mail ” or “Mail ( Microsoft Outlook)”

Step 3. Click on “Show Profiles”

Step 4. Click on “Add”

Step 5. Add your email account again

Enter the required details:

  • Email address
  • IMAP incoming server 
  • Port: 993
  • Encryption: SSL/TLS
  • App password

Step 6. Set the new profile as the default

Step 7. Restart Outlook, here you go, the new profile is ready to use.

Why Experts Avoid Manual Approaches

Sometimes, manual troubleshooting steps are not enough to fix the imap broken error not able to connect to mail server, and manual methods fall short for organisations and advanced users. Here are some reasons why the experts avoid them:

  • Manual fixes don’t work for large mailboxes
  • High chance of accidental data loss
  • Manual troubleshooting is time-consuming
  • Manual methods are not suitable for migration or archive IMAP emails
Before Troubleshooting IMAP Broken Error Not Able to Connect to Mail Server: Back up Data

Many of us face an unable to connect to mail server as a recurring issue, so taking a backup of mailboxes is always a wise decision, as we see that in the above manual troubleshooting methods are temporary and if none of the fixes resolve the issue. Then the best we can do is to create a fresh profile.

Before creating a fresh profile, take a backup so you won’t lose your data, and in this situation, I always prefer a professional and reliable tool, that is, SysTools IMAP Backup Tool, which is much better than doing it manually and less time-consuming. Try it free for now:

From my experience, I noticed it offers many benefits:

  • Export IMAP to PST, MBOX, EML, MSG, and PDF
  • Secure login through modern authentication
  • Incremental backups to avoid duplicates
  • Full mailbox and selective folder backup
  • Easy restoration whenever needed
Preventing the IMAP Broken Error

In order to prevent the “ unable to connect to mail server” messages, I make sure to:

  • Keep IMAP settings updated
  • Change passwords only after updating them on all devices
  • Avoid multiple simultaneous logins
  • Use stable networks for syncing
  • Update email apps regularly

These are some simple habits that I follow regularly to avoid the IMAP-related issues.

Closing Thoughts

The IMAP broken error not able to connect to mail server, can be an obstacle for your workflow and stop email syncing completely. But with the right manual troubleshooting steps that I have shared above, you can restore connectivity quickly, but if the issue is recurring, then the wise decision is to create a new profile.

And before performing major fixes, I recommend securing your mailbox using a professional and reliable tool that I have mentioned above. By doing this, you can avoid the unable to connect to mail server issue permanently.