Process Bounces: Cannot create POP3 connection

ℹ️ Support
1

Hi folks!

I am using phpList v3.6.13
PHP v7.4.33
MySQL v8.0.33-25 (this was recently updated by my provider)

When I try to process bounces I get the following message:

Cannot create POP3 connection to pop.host.com: Can't connect to smtp.host.com,995: Connection timed out

This is strange because, because I double and triple checked the config file and made sure that I could login to the webmail interface of the bounce mailbox.

$message_envelope = 'phplist_bounces@mydomain.com';
$bounce_protocol = 'pop';
define('MANUALLY_PROCESS_BOUNCES', 1);
$bounce_mailbox_host = 'pop.host.com';
$bounce_mailbox_user = 'phplist_bounces@mydomain.com';
$bounce_mailbox_password = 'secret';
$bounce_mailbox_port = "995/pop3/ssl/novalidate-cert";

I copied and pasted email address and password to prevent typos.

What could be the reason for this not working?

Regards,
Christian

2

Hi Christian, It’s difficult to troubleshoot these issues by editing the config.php file.
What I usually do is use the Thunderbird email program, and setup the connection to the bounce mailbox within Thunderbird, then whan that works, I know what I should use in phpList.
At that point, it’s easier to try various settings within the config.php file, since you know what works in general.

3

I did exactly that - used Thunderbird to connect to the bounce mailbox with the settings in the config-file. Works as expected.

I tried many different settings, but all failed. This is so strange.

4

What really puzzles me is the following message;

Cannot create POP3 connection to pop.issp.at: Can’t connect to smtp.issp.at,995: Connection timed out

Why “smtp.issp.at,995”? Shouldn’t it be “smtp.issp.at,465”?

5

Meanwhile I am on v3.6.14 –The problem still persists:

Cannot create POP3 connection to {pop.issp.at:995/pop3/ssl/novalidate-cert}INBOX: Can't connect to smtp.issp.at,995: Connection timed out

In Thunderbird I can connect via POP3 to the mailbox without problems.

Why does the error message mention “smtp.issp.at,995”, although smtp uses port 465 ? Is the error message erroneous, or does phplist try to use port 995 to connect to the smpt-server?

6

@caigner Check that you do not have repeated settings in config.php with different values.

Possibly port 995 is blocked on the web server.

Otherwise I suggest raising the problem with the hosting company.

7

Well, I shall check that, but it does not explain why the message says

which, to me, is clearly wrong. It should be
smtp.issp.at,465.

8

I checked – I have no repeated settings in my config.php.

I have no problems sending mailing campaigns, so my smtp-settings are correct.

I only have problems when I try to fetch bounces.

9

smtp.issp.at and pop.issp.at have the same IP address, so it may just be a case of something selecting the “wrong” one when going from the IP address back to the domain.

You could try using IMAP to see whether that works

$bounce_mailbox_host = 'imap.issp.at';
$bounce_mailbox_port = "993/imap/ssl";
10

I tried IMAP:

Cannot create POP3 connection to {imap.issp.at:993/imap/ssl}INBOX: Can't connect to smtp.issp.at,993: Connection timed out

I have contacted my provider, but when he sees smtp.issp.at,993 I am sure he will say, that’s the wrong port number.