In a digital world where communication is instant, an email that doesn’t arrive can represent a significant problem. For many in Italy, Alice Mail, now TIM Mail, is more than just an email service: it is a habit, a piece of personal digital history interwoven with daily and professional life. When Alice Mail does not receive emails from certain senders, it creates a disruption that can generate frustration and inconvenience. Understanding the causes of this problem is the first step to solving it and restoring the flow of communication, combining the familiarity of a traditional service with the need for modern efficiency.
This article explores the most common reasons behind the failure to receive messages on Alice Mail and provides practical solutions. From checking available space in the mailbox to analyzing spam filters, managing blacklists, and verifying client settings, we will address every aspect to help you solve the problem quickly and effectively. The goal is to offer a clear guide, accessible to everyone, to ensure that no important communication is lost.
Initial checks: essential controls to perform immediately
Before delving into complex configurations, it is fundamental to start with the basics. Often, the solution is simpler than one might think. The first action to take is to check the Spam or Junk Mail folder. Provider spam filters, including TIM’s, are increasingly sophisticated but not infallible. Sometimes, legitimate messages can be erroneously classified as spam. If you find the missing email in this folder, select it and mark it as “Not spam” to “teach” the system to recognize that sender as trustworthy in the future.
Another common cause is running out of storage space. A full mailbox cannot receive new messages. To verify the space status on Alice Mail, log in via the web and look for the used space indicator. If the mailbox is almost full, it is necessary to clean it up. Start by deleting unnecessary messages, especially those with heavy attachments, and don’t forget to empty the trash, as deleted messages continue to occupy space until their definitive removal. For optimal management, consult our guide on how to free up space on Alice Mail.
Filters, rules, and blocked senders: when you are the culprit
Sometimes, the failure to receive emails does not depend on an external technical problem, but on settings we configured ourselves, perhaps long ago and have since forgotten. Alice Mail, like many other services, allows you to create filters and rules to automatically organize incoming mail. A rule set too broadly could, for example, unintentionally move emails from a certain sender to a secondary folder or directly to the trash. It is therefore essential to check the active rules in the webmail settings. If you find a suspicious one, modify it or temporarily delete it to see if the problem is resolved.
Another possibility is having mistakenly added the sender to the blocked address list. This function is useful for stopping spam, but one click too many can also block important contacts. Access your mailbox security settings and check the list of blocked senders. If you find the address from which you are no longer receiving messages, remove it from the list. This simple check can instantly solve the problem and restore the correct reception of communications. To learn more, you can read our guide to blocking and reporting spam on Alice Mail.
The mystery of blacklists: when the problem is the sender’s
If the problem persists after the initial checks, it is possible that the cause does not lie in your mailbox, but with the sender. The IP address of the server from which the email is sent might have ended up on a blacklist. Blacklists are lists of IP addresses known for sending spam, used by email providers like TIM to protect their users. If the sender’s server is on one of these lists, their messages will be automatically rejected. This often happens to corporate servers or smaller providers that may not have sufficiently rigorous anti-spam policies.
What can you do in this case? Unfortunately, not much directly. The responsibility for being removed from the blacklist lies with the sender or their network administrator. However, you can inform the contact of the problem, suggesting they check if their IP address is present on known sites like Spamhaus or SenderScore. Sometimes, the sender is not even aware of the situation. Reporting it to them is a constructive step that can help them solve the problem at the root, benefiting all their future communications, not just those directed to you.
Client configuration: common errors on Outlook, Thunderbird, and smartphones
If you use an email client like Microsoft Outlook, Mozilla Thunderbird, or an app on your smartphone to manage Alice Mail, incorrect configuration of server parameters can be the cause of non-receipt. It is fundamental to ensure that the settings for incoming mail (IMAP or POP3 protocol) are correct. For Alice Mail, the correct parameters are generally in.alice.it for the incoming mail server. The port for IMAP is 143, while for POP3 it is 110.
A common error is also authentication configuration. Ensure that the username is your full email address (e.g., name@alice.it) and that the password is correct. Sometimes, a software update or a forgotten password change can invalidate saved settings. Also verify that security settings (SSL/TLS) are those required by the provider. For a detailed guide, you can consult our articles on how to configure Alice Mail on Thunderbird or on Android.
When all else fails: contacting TIM support
If you have followed all the previous steps without success, there might be a more complex technical problem or a temporary outage on TIM’s servers. In these cases, the best option is to contact customer service. Before calling, it is useful to gather all pertinent information: the email address of the sender who cannot contact you, the approximate date and time of the failed attempts, and any error message the sender might have received. This information will help the operator diagnose the problem more quickly.
TIM offers several support channels: the phone number 187 for technical assistance, online chat via the MyTIM customer area or app, and social channels. By clearly explaining the checks you have already performed, you will avoid repeating unnecessary procedures and allow the support team to focus on less common causes, such as specific server issues or anomalous blocks. Sometimes, only direct intervention by the provider can definitively resolve the situation.
- Check the Spam folder
Verify if the expected email ended up in junk mail. If present, mark it as “Not spam” to instruct the Alice Mail filter to recognize the sender as trustworthy in the future.
- Check storage space
Log in to the webmail and check the space indicator. If the mailbox is full, delete unnecessary messages and empty the trash, otherwise you won’t be able to receive new incoming communications.
- Check active filters and rules
Access the webmail settings. Verify that there are no incorrectly set rules or filters that automatically move incoming emails to the trash or other secondary folders.
- Check the blocked senders list
Go to security settings and consult the list of blocked senders. If you find the email address that cannot write to you, remove it from the list to restore reception immediately.
- Check sender blacklist
If the problem persists, the sender’s IP might be on an anti-spam blacklist. Suggest the contact check their status on sites like Spamhaus to resolve the block at the source.
- Check client settings
If you use Outlook or a smartphone, verify the IMAP/POP3 parameters (in.alice.it). Ensure that username, password, and ports (143 for IMAP, 110 for POP3) are configured correctly in the software.
- Contact TIM support
If the previous solutions fail, contact 187 or use the MyTIM app. Provide details such as the sender’s email and the time of non-delivery to facilitate technical diagnosis.
In Brief (TL;DR)
If you are not receiving emails from some senders on your Alice Mail account, it is likely that the cause is related to overly restrictive spam filters or the sender being on a blacklist.
From managing spam filters to checking blacklists, we will guide you through practical solutions to unblock messages and never miss important communications again.
From managing filters to creating a whitelist, we will explore practical solutions to ensure you receive all important communications.
Conclusions
Dealing with the failure to receive emails on Alice Mail can seem complicated, but by following a methodical approach, it is possible to identify and solve most problems. From the simplest checks, such as checking the spam folder and storage space, to analyzing more technical configurations like personal filters, sender blacklists, and email client settings, every step is crucial to isolating the cause. It is important to remember that the solution is not always in our hands; sometimes the problem lies with the sender or a temporary provider outage.
Keeping your mailbox efficient requires small but constant maintenance and awareness of settings. Problems like a forgotten password can block access, but are easily solvable. By adopting a proactive approach and using available resources, including customer support when necessary, you can ensure that your Alice Mail inbox remains a reliable communication tool, capable of combining the tradition of a historic account with the needs of an always-connected world.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common reasons include a full mailbox that has reached its storage limit, aggressive spam filters misclassifying legitimate messages, or incorrect server settings on your device. It is also possible that you have accidentally set up filters that move incoming mail to other folders. We recommend checking the webmail interface first to verify your storage status and spam folder.
To receive emails correctly on clients like Outlook or smartphones, you must set the incoming mail server to in.alice.it. If you choose the IMAP protocol, use port 143; for POP3, use port 110. Ensure your username is your full email address and that you have not recently changed your password without updating it in the application settings.
When your storage limit is reached, incoming messages are rejected. To resolve this, log in to the web version of the service and delete unnecessary emails, particularly those with large attachments. It is crucial to remember that deleting messages is not enough; you must also empty the Trash folder to permanently free up the space and resume receiving communications.
First, check your Blocked Senders list in the security settings to ensure you have not accidentally blacklisted their address. If the contact is not blocked, the issue might lie with the sender provider IP address being on a global blacklist. In this case, you should advise the sender to verify their server reputation on sites like Spamhaus, as the rejection is happening at the provider level.
You can manage this by accessing the settings menu within the webmail interface. Look for sections labeled Filters or Rules to see if any active configurations are automatically moving emails to the trash or secondary folders. If you find a rule that is too broad or incorrect, modify or delete it to ensure messages remain in your main Inbox.
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