MY SOLUTION: google apps email not working (was a server firewall issue)

[Feznizzle]

This is expressly NOT a Zen Cart problem. It is not google's problem either. It appears to be a server issue.

SYMPTOM
Despite having correctly configured MX entry and correctly configuring Zen Cart, I was unable to send email via the Contact Us form. When I turned on ZC email trouble shooter (Admin/Configuration/E-Mail Options/E-Mail Friendly-Errors -- set to FALSE), I received this message any time I used the Contact Us form:
"Email Error: SMTP Error: Could not connect to SMTP host."

PROBLEM
This was a CSF issue, my own firewall was blocking the connection.

SOLUTION
Whitelist google's server on my server's firewall.

WHAT TO DO
First:
Verify that you have ALL of the details for your email acct correct. Set it up as a POP acct in your favorite email client. Test the email by sending and receiving some email. If that works, move on to the next step. But if you can't get your email client to work, then you may have your info wrong (username, pass, smtp server, etc) or you might have an MX problem. Get to the bottom of that before worrying about your Zen Cart.

Second:
Make absolutely sure you have your ZC email configured correctly, same info you used for your email client (Admin/Configuration/E-Mail Options).
• Email Transport: SMTPAUTH
• Email Linefeeds: CRLF
• Email Acct info is correct (username/password)
• Server Info is correct (SMTP/port)

Third:
• Turn on email trouble shooting in your cart (Admin/Configuration/E-Mail Options/E-Mail Friendly-Errors -- set to FALSE)
• Go to the Contact Us form and try to send a test
If you get this message: "Email Error: SMTP Error: Could not connect to SMTP host."
Then go on to the Fourth step. If you get some other message... sorry, I dunno what to say!

Fourth (if you do NOT have root access to your server):
Contact your host tech support (or submit a Support Ticket or whatever). Tell them that:
You need need to whitelist the IP address for google's smtp server. Supply them with a link to your Contact Us form for testing. Explain that you have already verified that POP acct works by setting up your email client, that you supplied the same info to the backend of Zen and set Zen to SMTPAUTH and CRLF.

They should be able to fix the problem in a jiff.

Fourth (if you DO have root access to your server):
Temporarily disable your firewall, then go to your Contact Us form and try it. If it works, simply whitelist google's server IP on your firewall. Don't forget to turn your firewall back on.

+++++++++++

I wasted most of a day browsing forums to figure this thing out. There are tons of posts here and on google, no solid/simple solution popped out at me. People who posted about it either never solved it or never followed up to let others know the solution. Server side firewall might not be everybody's problem, but after reading forums here and on google, I'd bet a dollar this would solve the issue for most folks.

Normally when I come here, it is to ask for help. I wrote up this solution in an effort to give back to the community. Hopefully it will help the next guy who stumbles in with this prob! If you benefit, pay it forward by posting solutions to problems you encounter. :)

[mprough]

Have you tried using the PHP or sendmail on the server?

The issue is likely a security protocol for email.... but send or php mail will work fine with Google Aps.

~Melanie

[Feznizzle]

Hi Melanie,

Thanks for the info! :)

I was actually posting a solution to a problem I encountered and that others on this forum had experienced. The hope was that this post (a solution, not request for help) would help future zenners with this specific issue.

Thanks for your willingness to help though!

Cheers,
Mike