Can't send e-mail, SSL_connect error 38. Is this an Avast issue?

Hi,
I have been using Thunderbird and Avast free edition for some time. Since a couple of days ago, I can’t send e-mails using any of my accounts, but I can still receive e-mails. I get the following error message (the first line is my translation to English):

An error occurred while sending mail: The e-mail server sent an incorrect hello text:
Cannot establish TLS with SMTP server XX.XX.XX.XX, SSL_connect error 38.

I am using Thunderbird 3.1.10 and Avast 6.0.1125.

Could this be caused by Avast? Any ideas how to fix it? Thanks!

Did this problem just occur after upgrading to the newest version of Avast or can you relate this problem to any other changes you did on your machine?

Is your machine acting fine other wise?

Are your settings for Avast set at default or did you make any changes?

I do not think it started with the very last version of Avast. After the problem occurred, I checked for an update to Avast to see if that might solve the problem, and that’s when I found and installed version 6.0.1125. (I update fairly often, though, so I was not using a very old version either.)

Yes.

I’m not really sure, it’s been a while since I configured it. Anything in particular I shoud look for?

In reviewing your recent posts, I noticed that you may have had or had some malware issues this past year. Have you done Avast scans and MBAM scans to rule out malware?

So this problem has been going on for several version upgrades of Avast? At least for version 5.0 - the current version?

What is your firewall and is anything blocking your email or Avast?

Yes, I have just done full scans. Nothing found.

No, that is not the case. The problem only started a couple of days ago, and I have been running version 6 of Avast for some time, at least a couple of months, I think.

I’m using the Windows firewall. Can’t find anything that I think would block e-mails.

What program gives this error-message? Thunderbird?

Normally, you do disable all SSL and TLS in Thunderbird, that part is done by Avast if the “Scan inbound” and “Scan outbound” options are enabled.

Yes. When I click “send” i get the error message. Before I click OK to remove the error message, the e-mail window is open with the progress bar says “Connected to [mail server]…” When I click OK, the progress bar disappears.

SSL/TLS is disabled in Thunderbird for all accounts.

Okay, then try this:
Close Thunderbird.
In Avast, go to Mail Shield, Expert Settings, SSL-Accounts. Delete all accounts listed there.
Reboot and start Thunderbird, check your email-accounts (receive + send).

OK, thanks. I will try that later today and report back.

I have tried this now, but I’m afraid it didn’t solve the problem. Everything is still the same. I am receiving mail, but I can’t send.

I tried turning off the real time e-mail shield in Avast and sending mail, but then the operation times out immediately.

Actually, deactivating all shields does not help. Does this mean that Avast is not causing this?

What are your outgoing Mail Server settings?

If the port is 25 it could be blocked.

Port 587.
Connection security: STARTTLS
Authentication: Normal password

Edit: Spelling.

Disable STARTTLS in TBird. I thought you had disabled all SSL/TLS…? Then set Avast to scan in- / outbound.

What is your Email provider?

I had disabled SSL/TLS for all accounts, but not STARTTLS for outgoing SMTP server. I tried disabling this now, with no luck. (Should I delete all SSL accounts under mail shield / expert settings and rebooot?)

I really appreciate your help! Sorry if I am not being clear. I have not touched any of these settings, and everything has been working until now.

My e-mail provider is broadpark.no (NextGenTel).

See if any of these help you: https://support.avast.com/index.php?_m=knowledgebase&_a=view&parentcategoryid=64&pcid=2&nav=0,2.

Yes, you should also disable STARTTLS / TLS or anything in SMTP Server settings.

Delete all ssl accounts in avast, reboot.

Has anything changed with your provider? Maybe the provider has changed something and you need to adapt?

Sorry, I am very short on time the next days…

Yes, that did it! Thank you!

I have absolutely no idea why it suddenly stopped working. As I said, I haven’t touched the settings in Thunderbird, so I assume STARTTLS has been activated for outgoing SMTP all the time.
???

Once again, thank you for your help!

My pleasure.

Glad we fixed it. ;D