Meta Description:
BellSouth email lets you log in, but it won't send emails? Find out why and get simple steps to solve those SMTP, security, and login problems ASAP.
So, your BellSouth email lets you log in, but it won't send emails. Usually, this means your ** settings for getting mail are fine**. But the settings for sending mail (SMTP) are either blocked or not checking out correctly.
Since AT&T manages BellSouth email now, security's tighter. You might get into your account, but outgoing messages get stopped if AT&T can't check your email app the right way.
Wrong SMTP server or port is used
Sending mail without login verification is on
Not using a Secure Mail Key
Your firewall or antivirus is blocking SMTP
Your email app still has your old password
This is a settings mix-up—not an account issue.
You might see:
Emails stuck in your Outbox
Error messages like “Can’t send mail”
Logging in on the website works, but not on apps
No error, but emails never leave the Outbox
It works on one device, but not another
These signs confirm the problem is with your outgoing mail settings, not your login details.
Double-check your outgoing server settings to see if they match exactly:
Setting Value
SMTP Server smtp.mail.att.net
Port 465 (SSL) or 587 (TLS)
Encryption SSL / TLS
Authentication Required
Username Your full BellSouth email address
Password Secure Mail Key
⚠️ If login verification is OFF, BellSouth/AT&T will stop outgoing emails right away.
AT&T wants you to use a Secure Mail Key for other email apps, like:
Outlook
Apple Mail
iPhone & Android Mail apps
Even if you can log in, AT&T might block sending if you don't have a Secure Mail Key.
Here's the fix:
Log in to your AT&T account
Make a Secure Mail Key
Use this Secure Mail Key instead of your email password
Save the changes and restart your email app
👉 This fixes over 80% of “login works, but email won’t send” problems.
This issue often happens on phones after updates.
Quick fix for phones:
Go to Settings → Mail → Accounts
Delete your BellSouth email account
Restart your phone
Add the account again using IMAP
Put in the right SMTP settings
Use the Secure Mail Key for the password
Be sure Use SSL is turned on.
Outlook users often get repeated sending errors.
Outlook checklist:
Use your Secure Mail Key instead of your regular password
Turn on “My outgoing server needs login verification”
Use port 465 or 587
Restart Outlook
If it's still not working, delete the account and add it back.
Sometimes, networks stop outgoing mail ports.
Look for:
Antivirus or firewall blocking SMTP
Restrictions on office or public Wi-Fi
Router problems
To test, try this:
Switch to a different network
Restart your modem and router
Turn off your antivirus for a moment (only for testing)
If emails still aren’t sending:
Clear your email app's cache
Update your email app and phone's OS
See if you've hit your mailbox storage limit
Try sending mail through AT&T webmail to test
If webmail works, the problem is just on your device.
🔗 Resource: AT&T Email Help (official support)
Because your outgoing SMTP isn't checking out or is being blocked.
Getting emails uses IMAP. Sending needs SMTP login verification.
Yep. AT&T needs Secure Mail Keys to send emails.
Nope. This is about settings and security.
Go with port 465 (SSL) or 587 (TLS).
Use Secure Mail Keys, right server settings, and keep your apps up to date.
If BellSouth Email login works, but emails won't send, the reason has to do with SMTP login verification, Secure Mail Key needs, or ports being blocked. It’s not about your login details.
Fix your outgoing server settings, switch to a Secure Mail Key, and update your email app. This should get your email sending working again, fast and for good!