Since the introduction of OS X El Capitan I’ve come across some connection issues with people using Apple Mail and AOL.
Configuration:
OS X El Capitan
Apple Mail
Adding AOL email within Apple Mail using Apple’s preconfigured mail connection.
One would think that this process would be verified between AOL and Apple but apparently their is another underling issue that I can’t seem to find a solution too. After many hours of testing, re-configuring Apple Mail, deleting keychain settings, removing accounts completely, re-adding AOL to Apple Mail, the problem persists. After reviewing it appears that AOL servers are refusing the connection from time to time causing Apple Mail to ask for a password. This isn’t the solution as its AOL just refusing the connection from my analysis looking at console logs. Quoting Appel Mail and opening again seems to force a connection again and usually works. Seems that maybe AOL is throttling the Apple Mails checking to frequently perhaps or Apple Mail is misconfigured? Its hard to precisely pinpoint the issue as its AOL servers that are kicking the attempted connection. Perhaps its to many devices checking the same “free” account. AOLs attempt to maintain its server resources? What ever the case its rather bothersome to clients using AOL which has prompted them to migrate more quickly to Gmail or other mail servers.