Are you finding that your trusty old Verizon.net email address isn‘t working like it used to? Don‘t worry, you‘re not alone. Ever since Verizon discontinued their email service back in 2017, many users have run into issues trying to access their migrated AOL or Yahoo accounts.
But before you throw in the towel and set up a brand new email address from scratch, there are a number of troubleshooting steps you can take to get your Verizon email back up and running. As someone who has helped countless friends and family members resolve this same issue, I‘ve put together the ultimate guide to fixing Verizon email problems in 2022.
First though, let‘s take a closer look at what exactly happened with Verizon‘s email service and why you might be experiencing issues now, years later. Then we‘ll dive into the top 15 fixes I recommend trying, starting with the quickest and easiest.
What Happened to Verizon.net Email Addresses?
Back in 2017, Verizon made the decision to shut down their email platform for good. At the time, they had partnerships with both AOL and Yahoo, so they gave users the option to migrate their Verizon.net email address and all of its data to one of those providers instead.
According to the Verizon website, customers had until the end of 2017 to make the switch. For those who took action, their email address stayed the same (@verizon.net) but now ran on the backend of either AOL or Yahoo. However, anyone who failed to migrate their account by the cut-off date risked having all of their emails and data permanently deleted.
So in a nutshell, Verizon email addresses do still exist, but they are either being actively used under AOL/Yahoo‘s platforms or are no longer accessible because the original account was never migrated. Keep this in mind as we troubleshoot some of the reasons why your email might not be working.
Top 15 Fixes for Verizon Email Not Working in 2022
Now that you have a better understanding of Verizon‘s email changes, let‘s take a look at the most common issues users face and how to resolve them. I recommend starting at the top of the list and working your way down, testing your email after each step.
1. Check for Verizon server outages
Even though Verizon email now runs on AOL or Yahoo‘s backend, there‘s still a chance that Verizon itself is experiencing server outages that are preventing you from accessing your account. You can quickly check the current status of Verizon‘s servers by using a free tool like Down Detector. If there is a known issue, you‘ll unfortunately need to wait it out until Verizon resolves it on their end.
2. Update your browser
One of the easiest things you can do to resolve email issues is ensure you‘re running the latest version of your preferred web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc). Companies are constantly pushing out new updates that contain important security fixes and performance improvements. Visit your browser‘s settings or "About" page to see if any updates are available.
3. Clear your browser data
Over time, your browser‘s cache, cookies, and other data can build up and cause issues with logging into or loading certain websites, including your email provider. Clearing this data can often resolve email problems. In most browsers, you can find this option under Settings > Privacy & Security > Clear Browsing Data. Be sure to select "All time" for the time range to delete everything.
4. Disable browser extensions
If you have any browser add-ons or extensions installed, try disabling them to see if they are interfering with your email account. Go to your browser‘s settings menu and look for an "Extensions" or "Add-ons" section where you can toggle off any non-essential extensions. Restart your browser and log in to your email again.
5. Disable ad-blocker or firewall
Sometimes ad-blocking software or strict firewall settings can prevent emails from loading properly. Try temporarily disabling these and refreshing your email to see if it makes a difference. If you do identify an ad-blocker or firewall as the culprit, you can add your email provider‘s URL and/or IP address to the approved allow list and re-enable the software.
6. Disable VPN
In a similar vein, Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) can also interfere with accessing your Verizon email. If you have one running, turn it off completely and try logging in again. If your email starts working, consider using the VPN‘s split tunneling feature or PAC file to allow email traffic through.
7. Reset your email password
If you‘re having trouble signing in, there‘s a chance that your email password is incorrect or has been changed without you realizing. You can reset your Verizon email password by going to the AOL or Yahoo sign-in page, clicking "Trouble signing in?" and following the prompts to receive a reset link. Be sure to choose a strong, unique password.
8. Verify your email settings
Another possible reason for Verizon email issues is that your email client (Outlook, Apple Mail, etc) has the incorrect server settings for AOL or Yahoo. Double-check that you‘re using the following:
– AOL incoming mail server (IMAP): imap.aol.com, port: 993, SSL required
– AOL outgoing mail server (SMTP): smtp.aol.com, port: 465, SSL required
– Yahoo incoming mail server (IMAP): imap.mail.yahoo.com, port: 993, SSL required
– Yahoo outgoing mail server (SMTP): smtp.mail.yahoo.com, port: 465 or 587, SSL required
9. Update your email client
Like your browser, it‘s also a good idea to keep your email client updated to the latest version. Newer versions often contain important bug fixes and security enhancements that could help resolve Verizon email problems. Visit the website or app store for your email client and check for any available updates.
10. Restart your device
Sometimes the simplest solution is the best one. Try fully powering down your computer, phone, or tablet and restarting it from scratch. This can clear out any temporary bugs or glitches that may be affecting your email‘s performance.
11. Check your internet connection
If your device is having trouble connecting to the internet, that could explain why your Verizon email isn‘t working. Start by running a speed test to check your current download and upload speeds – if they‘re drastically lower than what you‘re paying for, you may need to troubleshoot your Wi-Fi connection or contact your ISP for assistance.
12. Try accessing email from a different device
To determine if the problem is isolated to a single device, try logging into your Verizon email account from another computer, phone or tablet. If it works normally, then you‘ll know the issue is specific to the original device and can focus your troubleshooting efforts there.
13. Disable hardware acceleration
Hardware acceleration is a feature in most web browsers that utilizes your computer‘s GPU to load graphics-intensive websites faster. However, it can sometimes cause compatibility issues with certain sites, including email providers. Try disabling hardware acceleration (typically found under Advanced Settings) and restarting your browser.
14. Check for malware
In more serious cases, malware or viruses could be preventing you from accessing your Verizon email account. Run a full system scan using reputable antivirus software to check for anything suspicious. If you do find malware, follow the prompts to quarantine or remove it completely, then reset your email password just to be safe.
15. Contact AOL or Yahoo support
If you‘ve made it this far down the list and still can‘t get your Verizon email working, it may be time to contact AOL or Yahoo‘s customer support directly. Visit their official help sites to access live chat, email support forms, or phone numbers to call for 1-on-1 assistance troubleshooting your email issues.
Wrapping Up
Verizon may have shut down its own email service years ago, but that doesn‘t mean you still can‘t use your @verizon.net email address. By working through the list of common causes and fixes covered in this guide, you should be able to resolve most issues and get your email up and running again in no time.
Remember, the key is to be methodical and patient as you troubleshoot. Start with the quickest and easiest fixes first, then work your way up to more advanced solutions if needed. And if all else fails, don‘t hesitate to reach out to AOL or Yahoo‘s support teams for a helping hand.
Were you able to get your Verizon email working again? Let me know which fix finally did the trick in the comments below!
