# Error: Connection refused

Source: https://catalystgroup.gg/docs/email-delivery/error-connection-refused/
Updated: 2026-10-19 · By Duane Garner

The mail server's address answered but refused the connection on that port. Check the port and host, then ask your host about firewalls.

> **Shown by the Other SMTP and Zoho Mail mailers (and the backup SMTP transport):** The test result or the error log shows a message such as `Connection refused (111)` or `Failed to connect to server: Connection refused`.

 

This article is for site owners sending through an SMTP server who see the connection actively refused.

 

## What this error means

 

Your web server found the mail server's address and knocked on the port you chose. Something at that address answered straight away with "no". That is different from a timeout, where nothing answers at all. A refusal usually means nothing is listening on that port, or a firewall is set to reject the connection rather than ignore it.

 

## Common causes

 
- The wrong **SMTP Port** for this server, for example 465 on a server that only offers 587.
- **SMTP Host** points to a machine that is not a mail server, such as your website's own address.
- Your web host redirects or rejects outgoing mail ports on purpose. Some hosts allow only their own mail server on port 25 or 587.
- A firewall on your web server (for example a security plugin for the server, or the host's firewall) blocks outgoing SMTP.
- The mail server's service is stopped or restarting.
- `localhost` was entered as the host on a server that runs no mail service.

 

## How to fix

 
1. Confirm the port and host
  Check your mail provider's documentation or admin console for the SMTP server name and the ports it accepts.
2. Correct CRM-NG SMTP
  Go to **CRM-NG SMTP → Settings → General**. Set **SMTP Host**, **SMTP Port** and **Encryption**: 465 with **SSL**, or 587 with **TLS**. Save.
3. Test the port from the server
  If you have SSH access, run `nc -vz smtp.example.com 587` (with your host and port). "Refused" here confirms the block is outside CRM-NG SMTP.
4. Ask your web host
  Ask whether outbound connections to that host and port are allowed, or whether they require you to use their own relay. Share the error from **CRM-NG SMTP → Tools → Debug Events**.
5. Send a test
  Go to **CRM-NG SMTP → Tools → Email Test**, fill in **Send To** and press **Send Email**.

 

## Verify it worked

 

The test page shows "Test email sent successfully! Check your inbox to confirm delivery."

 

## Notes

 
- If the host blocks mail ports and will not open them, use an API mailer instead. API mailers use HTTPS on port 443, which is almost never blocked.
- Mail providers sometimes block an IP that made many failed logins. If the refusal started after several failed tests, wait and try again later, or ask the provider.

 

## Related

 
- [Other SMTP mailer guide](https://catalystgroup.gg/docs/email-delivery/mailer-other-smtp/)
- [Zoho Mail mailer guide](https://catalystgroup.gg/docs/email-delivery/mailer-zoho/)
- [Error: Could not connect to SMTP host](https://catalystgroup.gg/docs/email-delivery/error-could-not-connect-to-smtp-host/)
- [Error: Connection timed out (code 110)](https://catalystgroup.gg/docs/email-delivery/error-connection-timed-out/)
- [Choose a mailer](https://catalystgroup.gg/docs/email-delivery/choose-a-mailer/)
- [Troubleshooting email delivery](https://catalystgroup.gg/docs/email-delivery/troubleshooting/)