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Understanding and Preventing Email Login Lockouts: A Customer Guide

Last updated on Aug 15, 2025

Understanding and Preventing Email Login Lockouts: A Customer Guide

**Description:**Learn how to manage your email login attempts, recognize IP block warnings, and safely regain access to your email account—all without triggering additional security mechanisms. This guide is designed for HostPresto shared hosting customers and covers practical steps using cPanel and related tools.

Table of Contents

What Causes Email Login Lockouts?

Email login lockouts typically occur due to:

  • Too many failed login attempts in a short period
  • Incorrect email settings (username, password, server)
  • Multiple devices with outdated or incorrect credentials
  • Security measures (like firewalls) temporarily blocking your IP

**Note:**These protections help keep your account secure, but they can also block legitimate users if login attempts are not carefully managed.

Recognizing an IP Block or Lockout

Common signs you’ve been locked out:

  • You can’t send or receive email on any device
  • You see errors like “Login failed,” “Authentication error,” or “Cannot connect to server”
  • Webmail access is denied
  • Other services (like cPanel) may also be inaccessible
  • A support agent confirms your IP is blocked

**Tip:**If you lose access to all email accounts and webmail after several failed attempts, an IP block is likely.

How to Prevent Login Lockouts

1. Double-Check Credentials

  • Ensure you’re using the correct email address and password
  • Passwords are case-sensitive—be careful with upper/lowercase letters
  • Use the credentials set in cPanel > Email Accounts

2. Avoid Repeated Failed Logins

  • After two or three failed attempts, stop and verify your details
  • Don’t keep retrying—this increases the risk of being blocked

3. Check Multiple Devices

  • Update passwords on all devices (phones, tablets, computers)
  • A device with an old password can repeatedly try (and fail) to connect, triggering lockouts
  • Disable automatic email checks on devices until credentials are fixed

Steps to Regain Access if Locked Out

1. Confirm Your Public IP

  • Visit What Is My IP to note your current public IP address
  • You’ll need this if you contact support

2. Try a Different Network

  • Disconnect from your Wi-Fi and use mobile data, or vice versa
  • This can assign you a new IP, bypassing the temporary block

3. Reset Your Password via cPanel

  1. Log in to cPanel via your client area
  2. Navigate to Email Accounts
  3. Find the affected account and click Manage
  4. Enter a new, secure password and save changes
  5. Update the password on all devices before attempting to log in again

4. Submit a Support Ticket if Needed

If lockout persists or you can’t access cPanel:

  • Submit a ticket via your HostPresto Client Area
  • Provide:
    • Your public IP address
    • The affected email address
    • Any error messages you’ve seen

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Issue: Repeated Lockouts After Password Change

  • Make sure all devices have the new password
  • Remove and re-add the email account in your email app if issues persist

Issue: Webmail Inaccessible

  • Try accessing Webmail from a different device/network
  • If successful, your original IP may still be blocked

Issue: Authentication Errors

  • Double-check server settings:
    • IMAP/POP Server: mail.yourdomain.com
    • SMTP Server: mail.yourdomain.com
    • Username: Full email address
    • Password: The one set in cPanel

Example Email Settings:

Incoming Server: mail.example.com
IMAP Port: 993 (SSL) or 143 (non-SSL)
POP Port: 995 (SSL) or 110 (non-SSL)
Outgoing Server: mail.example.com
SMTP Port: 465 (SSL) or 587 (TLS)

Practical Examples

**Example 1:**You try to log in three times with the wrong password. Suddenly, all devices lose email access.**Solution:**Stop trying to log in. Wait 15-30 minutes, reset your password in cPanel, and update all devices before reconnecting.

**Example 2:**You change your password on your laptop but forget to update it on your phone. The phone keeps trying with the old password, leading to a lockout.**Solution:**Update the password on every device using the account.

Further Assistance

If you’ve followed these steps and still can’t regain access:

  • Check our Email Troubleshooting Guides
  • Submit a support ticket with as much detail as possible:
    • Your public IP
    • Affected email address
    • Devices used
    • Steps you’ve already tried

The HostPresto team is here to help you restore access as quickly and securely as possible.

**Tip:**Always keep your email app settings and passwords up to date on every device. For more help on email setup, see our Email Client Setup Guides.