Email

1. Set up a new email account

1. If this is the first time you've run Thunderbird, the Mail Account Setup window should be the first thing you see, so go to step c.

   If you've used Thunderbird before, open it, go to Tools and click Account Settings.

   

2. At the bottom of the Account Settings window, click Account Actions and then select Add Mail Account...

   

3. The Mail Account Setup window will open.

   

   Enter the following details:

   • Your Name: Enter your full name (or the name you'd like people to see when you send them email from this account)
   • Email Address: Enter the email address you're setting up, this could be a PlusNet address (yourname@username.plus.com) or a hosted domain address (something@yourdomain.co.uk).
   • Password: Enter the password for the email address you're setting up. Use your account password if it's your first Plusnet email address, or the mailbox password if you're setting up an additional email address.

   When you've done this, click Continue.

4. Now Thunderbird will try and detect your mail settings. This won't work so you'll need to enter them yourself.

   
   • User Name: This depends on the address you're setting up:
     • To set up your first Plusnet email address (What's my first Plusnet email address?), enter the username you log into this website with.
     • If you're setting up an Additional mailbox (What's an Additional Mailbox?), enter the mailbox username (in the format username+mailboxname) Check the email we sent after the mailbox was created if you're not sure what this is
   • Incoming: mail.plus.net
   • Outgoing: relay.plus.net (if you've set up an account before you'll be able to choose relay.plus.net from the dropdown list)

   Make sure the other boxes match the screenshot above and click Re-test Configuration.

5. Thunderbird will take a minute to check the settings you've entered. If it fails, go back to the previous step and make sure your settings match the screenshot. If it's successful you'll be able to click the Create Account button and move to the next step.

   

6. You'll see a warning screen like the one below, unfortunately our mail servers don't support encryption (we're looking into launching this feature) so to continue you'll need to tick I understand the risks and click Create Account.

   
7. Your email is now ready to use. If you're asked for a password when sending messages, please go to Section 3 - Outbound Server Settings.

2. Check or edit an existing email account

1. Open Thunderbird, go to Tools on the top bar and click Account Settings.

   

2. On the left hand side of the Account Settings window, you'll see a list of the email addresses you have set up with separate sections for each.

   Your main email settings are in the first two sections as shown below:

   

   If you want to save any changes you make in this window, click OK when you're finished.

   • The email address

     Here you can change the Account Name (how Thunderbird refers to this email account), your sender details, add a signature to your mails and choose an outgoing server.

     Make sure your name and email address are entered correctly. You can leave the reply-to blank, unless you want replies to your messages to go elsewhere.

   • Server Settings

     Here you can change the Incoming server (Server Name), the port it uses and the username for this email address.

     Make sure Connection Security is set to None and Use secure authentication is not ticked.

     The other details on this page can be configured as you like.

3. Outgoing Server Settings.

By default, Thunderbird will try to use a username and password when sending email. If you have problems sending mail you should make sure that the correct details are being used.

1. Open Thunderbird, go to Tools on the top bar and click Account Settings.

   

2. Click the Outgoing Server (SMTP) option in the left hand menu, select the default SMTP account and click Edit on the right hand side.

   

3. Now you'll see the SMTP server window

   
   • The Server Name should be relay.plus.net and the Port should be 25
   • If Use name and password is ticked, make sure that you enter your account username (the one you log into this website with) in the User Name box
   • Make sure Use secure authentication is not ticked and Connection security is set to None

When sending mail you'll be asked to enter a password, this needs to be your account password (the one you log into this website with). If you continue to have trouble sending mail, untick Use name and password and try again.

If you make any changes here, press OK to make sure they are saved.

This page last updated 20th April 2010