Windows 10 reached EOS (end of support) on October 14, 2025. If you are on Windows 10, see this article.

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

Outgoing server rejects authentification on Comcast

  • 2 replies
  • 0 have this problem
  • 288 views
  • Last reply by CWM2015
  • Solved

ANYONE know what happened to my Thunderbird ? Using Win 11, Thunderbird current version, I am unable to send messages. I get "outgoing server does not accept encrypted pw, try using normal pw" when I select encrypted pw. I get "outgoing server does not accept normal pw, use encrypted pw". when I use normal pw Have uninstalled Tbird, & installed fresh from Thunderbird.net. Comcast instructions are use “encrypted pw authentification. Port 465 or 587, have used both no help. Have changed smpt server pw on Comcast & in T Bird “saved passwords” Any ideas?

ANYONE know what happened to my Thunderbird ? Using Win 11, Thunderbird current version, I am unable to send messages. I get "outgoing server does not accept encrypted pw, try using normal pw" when I select encrypted pw. I get "outgoing server does not accept normal pw, use encrypted pw". when I use normal pw Have uninstalled Tbird, & installed fresh from Thunderbird.net. Comcast instructions are use “encrypted pw authentification. Port 465 or 587, have used both no help. Have changed smpt server pw on Comcast & in T Bird “saved passwords” Any ideas?

Chosen solution

Comcast uses te Xfinity server and there are very specific settings you must use.

Password means the use the same password you use to access the webmail account. I understand you have accessed webmail and modified/updated the password.

First check that new password still gets you access to the webmail account. If yes. Good.

Now check you have the correct outgoing server settings for the account. Outgoing server SMTP settings:

  • Server name: smtp.comcast.net
  • Port: 587
  • Connection Security: STARTTLS
  • Authentication Method: Normal Password
  • Username: full comcast email address

As you modified the password then this is what you need to check:

  • In Settings > Privacy & Security
  • Password section
  • Click on 'Saved Passwords'
  • Click on 'Show Passwords'

There should be two lines for the account. If you use Pop you will see: mailbox://account.... If you use imap then you will see: imap://account... You will also see the outgoing: smtp://account....

  • Right click on each relevant line and select 'Edit Password'
  • Completely clear everything and then carefully type the correct password.
  • Click on 'Close' when done

Exit Thunderbird, wait a few moments and restart.

Read this answer in context 👍 1

All Replies (2)

Chosen Solution

Comcast uses te Xfinity server and there are very specific settings you must use.

Password means the use the same password you use to access the webmail account. I understand you have accessed webmail and modified/updated the password.

First check that new password still gets you access to the webmail account. If yes. Good.

Now check you have the correct outgoing server settings for the account. Outgoing server SMTP settings:

  • Server name: smtp.comcast.net
  • Port: 587
  • Connection Security: STARTTLS
  • Authentication Method: Normal Password
  • Username: full comcast email address

As you modified the password then this is what you need to check:

  • In Settings > Privacy & Security
  • Password section
  • Click on 'Saved Passwords'
  • Click on 'Show Passwords'

There should be two lines for the account. If you use Pop you will see: mailbox://account.... If you use imap then you will see: imap://account... You will also see the outgoing: smtp://account....

  • Right click on each relevant line and select 'Edit Password'
  • Completely clear everything and then carefully type the correct password.
  • Click on 'Close' when done

Exit Thunderbird, wait a few moments and restart.

Yes this solves the issue. Note that the settings you supplied worked and are different than the Xfinity instruction settings,! Thank you

Ask a question

You must log in to your account to reply to posts. Please start a new question, if you do not have an account yet.