The Windows 10 and 11 Mail app is a practical tool for managing electronic correspondence directly from your desktop. However, many users in Italy encounter persistent synchronization problems with their Alice Mail (now TIM Mail) account. This inconvenience can turn a daily activity into a source of frustration, interrupting the flow of personal and professional communications. The issue combines the tradition of a historic provider like Alice, rooted in Italian digital culture, with the innovation of the latest Microsoft operating systems. Fortunately, most of these problems can be resolved by following a few targeted steps.
This guide is designed to walk you through, step by step, identifying and resolving the causes preventing your Alice Mail inbox from working correctly with the Windows Mail app. We will analyze the most common causes, from incorrect mail server settings to minor software conflicts, providing clear solutions accessible to everyone. The goal is to restore full functionality to your email account, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted experience.
Why Won’t the Windows Mail App Sync with Alice Mail?
Synchronization problems between the Windows Mail app and Alice Mail can stem from various causes. Often, the root of the problem lies in an incorrect configuration of the incoming (IMAP) and outgoing (SMTP) mail server parameters. With the transition from Alice to TIM, some of these parameters have changed, creating confusion. Another frequent cause is using an outdated application; an obsolete version of the Mail app might not support the latest security protocols required by TIM servers. Computer security settings, such as firewalls or antivirus software, can also interfere, blocking communication between the mail client and the server. Finally, temporary issues related to TIM servers, which may go offline for maintenance or due to outages, cannot be ruled out.
Preliminary Check: Essential Steps Not to Skip
Before modifying complex settings, it is crucial to perform some basic checks to rule out the simplest causes. These initial steps can save you time and solve the problem more quickly than you might think. Often, the solution is within reach and does not require in-depth technical intervention. Dedicate a few minutes to these essential checks to correctly diagnose the origin of the malfunction.
Check Your Internet Connection
It seems obvious, but an unstable or absent Internet connection is the primary cause of synchronization failure. The Mail app needs stable network access to download and send messages. Try opening a web page with your browser to ensure the connection is active and working. If you experience browsing issues, the email malfunction is a direct consequence. In this case, restart your modem/router or contact your Internet service provider before proceeding with other solutions.
Access Alice Mail via Webmail
A crucial step to isolate the problem is to verify if you can access your account via the official TIM Mail website (webmail). If you can log in and view your emails, it means your account is active and your credentials (username and password) are correct. This confirms that the problem is confined to the Windows Mail app and not the account itself. If, however, you cannot access it via the web either, the problem might be related to the password. In that case, it might be useful to consult a guide on how to proceed if you have a forgotten Alice password.
The Step-by-Step Solution: Configuration and Troubleshooting
Once the simplest causes are ruled out, it is time to move on to a more technical analysis. This section will guide you through specific steps to correct the Windows Mail app configuration and resolve conflicts preventing synchronization. Follow each procedure carefully to ensure you don’t miss any important details.
Update the Mail and Calendar App
An outdated application is a common cause of malfunctions. Microsoft regularly releases updates for the Mail and Calendar app via the Microsoft Store to fix bugs and improve compatibility. To check for updates, open the Microsoft Store, click on your profile icon or the three dots in the top right corner (or “Library” in newer versions) and select “Downloads and updates”. Click on “Get updates” to start the search. If a new version of the Mail and Calendar app is available, install it and restart your computer before checking if the synchronization problem has been resolved.
Verify Alice Mail Configuration Parameters
Correct server configuration is essential. Incorrect parameters prevent the app from communicating with TIM servers. Ensure your Alice Mail account settings are correct. The recommended choice is the IMAP protocol, which keeps emails synchronized across all devices. The correct parameters are:
- Incoming mail server (IMAP): in.alice.it (or imap.tim.it)
- IMAP Port: 143 (with STARTTLS security) or 993 (with SSL/TLS security)
- Outgoing mail server (SMTP): out.alice.it (or smtp.tim.it)
- SMTP Port: 587 (with STARTTLS security)
- Outgoing server authentication: Yes, required (use the same credentials as incoming mail).
It is fundamental to select the correct security protocol (SSL/TLS or STARTTLS) as indicated. To learn more about the differences and implications, you can read our guide on choosing the right protocol for your needs.
Remove and Re-add the Account
If the settings seem correct but synchronization still doesn’t work, the configuration might be corrupted. One of the most effective solutions is to remove the account from the Mail app and add it again. To do this, go to Settings (the gear icon at the bottom left of the app), select “Manage accounts”, click on the problematic Alice Mail account, and choose “Delete account from this device”. Subsequently, click on “Add account”, select “Other account (POP, IMAP)”, and re-enter your data and the correct manual configuration parameters.
Advanced Solutions for Persistent Problems
If the problem persists after following all the previous steps, it is necessary to resort to more advanced solutions. These procedures intervene directly on the application’s integrity and system settings, resolving deeper conflicts that may hinder the correct functioning of the Mail app.
Repair or Reset the Windows Mail App
Windows offers two options to fix app problems: “Repair” and “Reset”. You can find them by going to Windows Settings > Apps > Apps & features, searching for “Mail and Calendar”, and clicking on “Advanced options”. The Repair option attempts to fix problems without deleting app data. If this doesn’t work, the Reset option is more drastic: it deletes all app data, including configured accounts, restoring it to its initial state. After resetting it, you will need to configure your Alice Mail account again from scratch.
Check Security and Privacy Settings
Sometimes, the blockage is caused by restrictive privacy settings or security software. Ensure the Mail app has the necessary permissions to function. Go to Windows Settings > Privacy > Email and verify that the option “Allow apps to access your email” is active. Additionally, try temporarily disabling your antivirus or firewall to check if they are blocking the connection. If synchronization resumes, you will need to add an exception for the Mail app in your security software settings to ensure SSL/TLS security without blocking communications.
When the Problem Isn’t Your PC
In some cases, despite all troubleshooting attempts, the problem might not depend on your computer. Online services, including email, can suffer interruptions or outages at the central level. It is important to consider this possibility to avoid wasting time on useless troubleshooting procedures. Checking the provider’s server status is a fundamental step when all other solutions have failed. If TIM servers are offline, the only thing to do is wait for the service to be restored. This type of problem, although frustrating, is completely out of the end user’s control.
- Check Connection and Webmail
Ensure the internet connection is stable. Try accessing Alice Mail from the browser: if you can log in, the credentials are correct and the problem is the app.
- Update the Mail and Calendar App
Open the Microsoft Store, go to Downloads and updates, and search for updates for the Mail app. An outdated version often causes synchronization problems.
- Set Correct IMAP Parameters
Configure IMAP to in.alice.it (port 143 or 993) and SMTP to out.alice.it (port 587). Remember to enable outgoing server authentication.
- Remove and Reconfigure Account
Go to Settings > Manage accounts in the Mail app and delete the Alice account. Add it again by choosing ‘Other account’ and entering data manually.
- Reset Windows Mail App
If the error persists, go to Windows Settings > Apps, search for Mail and Calendar, select Advanced options, and click Repair or Reset.
- Check Privacy and Antivirus
Verify in Privacy > Email that access is allowed. Temporarily disable antivirus or firewall to rule out security blocks.
In Brief (TL;DR)
Discover the causes and most effective solutions to resolve synchronization problems between the Windows 10/11 Mail app and your Alice Mail account.
From verifying TIM Mail server settings to correct security settings, discover the step-by-step procedures to restore synchronization.
From verifying TIM server parameters to app reset procedures, we will guide you step by step towards the solution.
Conclusions
Addressing synchronization problems between Alice Mail and the Windows Mail app can seem complicated, but by following a methodical approach, it is almost always possible to find a solution. The key is to proceed step by step: start with basic checks, such as Internet connection and webmail access, then move on to checking IMAP/SMTP configuration parameters, which represent the most common cause of malfunction. If the problem persists, removing and subsequently reconfiguring the account or resetting the Mail app are effective steps to resolve any data corruption. Remember that patience is fundamental. With the instructions provided in this guide, you have all the tools to restore full functionality to your inbox and get back to managing your communications without stress.
Frequently Asked Questions
Failure to sync between the Windows Mail app and Alice Mail (now TIM Mail) is often due to incorrect server settings. Other common causes include the need to update the Mail and Calendar app from the Microsoft Store, temporary TIM server issues, or interference from antivirus software or firewalls.
To ensure proper functioning, it is fundamental to use the correct parameters. For incoming mail (IMAP), the server is in.alice.it with port 993 and SSL/TLS encryption. For outgoing mail (SMTP), the server is out.alice.it, port 587 with SSL/TLS encryption, and authentication is required.
It is recommended to use the IMAP protocol. Unlike POP3, which downloads messages to the device deleting them from the server, IMAP keeps emails on the server. This allows you to have an always-synchronized inbox accessible identically from multiple devices, such as PCs, smartphones, and tablets.
If parameters are correct, try resetting the Mail and Calendar app from Windows settings. Another effective solution is to remove the Alice Mail account from the app and add it again. This often resolves problems related to outdated credentials or temporary configuration errors.
To update the app, open the Microsoft Store on your PC, click on the ‘Library’ icon in the bottom left and then on ‘Get updates’. The system will automatically search for and install the latest version of the ‘Mail and Calendar’ app, resolving any known bugs.
Did you find this article helpful? Is there another topic you'd like to see me cover?
Write it in the comments below! I take inspiration directly from your suggestions.