Why can't I retrieve email from AOL Mail?

If you're having trouble getting your email in AOL Mail, try the solutions below, checking after each solution to see if the problem is fixed.

Solutions

• Log out, then log back into AOL Mail:
• Enable Java applet scripting and cookies
• Clear cookies, cache, history, and footprints
• Reset web settings
• Disable the pop-up preferences:

Log out, then log back into AOL Mail:

Sometimes the best solution is also the easiest. Sign out of AOL Mail and then sign back in. Doing this will usually correct the problem.

Enable Java applet scripting and cookies

Enabling Java applet scripting and cookies may help you fix the problem. To learn how to enable Java applet scripting and cookies, please visit our help article Enable Java applet scripting and cookies.

Clear cookies, cache, history, and footprints

When you visit a website, temporary Internet files and cookies are stored on your computer to record your return visit. Sometimes, these temporary Internet files and cookies can cause the issue that you're currently experiencing. Clearing your cookies, cache, and history can often fix the problem.

Note: Once you clear your cookies, cache, history, and footprints, you may lose the following:

• AOL Radio presets
• websites you have visited
• Your shopping cart
• Your customized pages

The instructions to clear your cache, cookies, and footprints will differ depending on the browser you use. Please click the appropriate link from the ones given below for instructions to clear your cookies, cache, history, and footprints.

• Internet Explorer 8.0
• Internet Explorer 7.0
• Internet Explorer 6.0
• Firefox 3.5
• Firefox 3.0
• Netscape Navigator
• Safari
• AOL 9.0 and higher
• AOL 8.0 and lower versions
• AOL software for Mac
• AOL Desktop

Reset web settings

If you've installed another web browser after installing Internet Explorer, some of your Internet Explorer settings may have changed. However, you can reset your Internet Explorer to its default settings. The home page, the search pages, and the default browser will be reset without changing the settings of the other browsers on your computer. Please click the link corresponding to the version of Internet Explorer you have on your computer to learn how to reset your web settings.

• Internet Explorer 8.0
• Internet Explorer 7.0
• Internet Explorer 6.0

Disable the pop-up preferences:

For assistance with diabling pop-up blocker software, please read our help article Disable AOL Mail Pop-up Preferences.