Certificate Problem in Outlook

Common Error Message: "The server you are connected to is using a security certificate that could not be verified."

What should you do when Outlook displays a message every time you start it saying "The server you are connected to is using a security certificate that could not be verified"? There are several solutions to this problem, and the simplest one is to install the certificate by clicking "View Certificate" and installing it there. This should add it to the database and eliminate the problem.

However, what if this solution doesn't help remove the message? In my personal experience, changing the POP and SMTP server names helped. Note that newer versions of Outlook, such as 2016, usually only ask for the username and password, automatically setting up POP and SMTP by default.

Solution 1: Install the Certificate

The most straightforward approach is to install the problematic certificate directly into your system's certificate store.

Steps to Install Certificate:

1. When the error message appears, click "View Certificate"
2. Install the certificate following the installation wizard
3. Restart Outlook to see if the issue is resolved

Solution 2: Correct Server Names

Therefore, you need to change the server name to the "correct" one. For example, if the program added your SMTP and POP server addresses as pop.example.ourcompany.com and smtp.example.ourcompany.com, you should access your email through a web browser (for example, mail.home.pl), log into your email account, and check what the actual SMTP and POP server names are.

If they turn out to be something like ourcompany.home.pl for both POP and SMTP, then paste these addresses into the SMTP and POP server name fields. This may immediately solve the problem. You should then close and restart Outlook.

Steps to Change Server Settings in Outlook 2016:

1. Go to File > Account Settings > Manage Profiles
2. When the window appears, click on the email account
3. After the next window appears, double-click on the email address to access settings
4. Update the POP and SMTP server names with the correct addresses
5. Restart Outlook

Solution 3: Disable SSL Encryption

If this option doesn't help, in the same window on the right side there will be a "More Settings" option. There you can opt out of the encrypted SSL connection by selecting "Use encrypted connection for the following type" and choosing "None".

Warning: Disabling SSL encryption will make your email communication less secure. Only use this option if other solutions don't work and you understand the security implications.

Steps to Disable SSL:

1. In the account settings window, click "More Settings"
2. Navigate to the Advanced tab
3. Under encryption settings, select "None" for connection type
4. Apply changes and restart Outlook

Quick Troubleshooting Summary

Try solutions in this order: 1) Install certificate, 2) Correct server names, 3) Disable SSL (last resort). Most certificate issues are resolved by using the correct server addresses from your email provider.