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Forum Discussion
RAX50 doesn't accept any port value in the Outgoing Mail Server Port Number field
On my RAX50 (latest firmware, V1.0.17.142_2.0.100), I'm trying to set up email alerts. But no matter what port I enter in the Outgoing Mail Server Port Number field, the router doesn't accept it and doesn't save the settings. I tried port 465, 587, 25, custom ports, for example, 999, or left the field empty - the router doesn't accept any value.
I want to say right away that the issue is not with my mail service; you don't need to tell me which ports Gmail or Outlook uses. The problem is not that mail is not received or sent; I don't even get to this stage. I just can't enter any port number value; the router doesn't accept any. What should I do? Maybe someone knows which port my router will work with? Do email alerts work on it at all?
9 Replies
Normally email notifications are not needed to be configured at the router. Check with Google or MS on notifications and what is needed to set them up. I've never set up any notification for port usage on any router. Thats mostly done at the app or cloud service level.
What is the Mfr and model# of the Internet Service Providers modem/ONT the NG router is connected too?
Try disabling the following and see:
Armor, Smart Parental Controls or Circle, IPv6, Protection Engine, Traffic Meter.Try using custom DNS or if IPv6 is enabled, custome IPv6 DNS as well.
Also if you configure ports, be sure to disable uPnP before using port configurations.
Thanks for the quick response. I'm connected to the provider not via a modem, but via Ethernet. Armor, Smart Parental Control, IPv6, Protection Engine, Traffic Meter, and UPnP are disabled. DNS is from OpenDNS, not from the provider. I didn't fully understand the phrase "Check with Google or MS on notifications and what is needed to set them up". I just want to try how this function works on my router to understand if I need it. And it doesn't work at all so far.
Who is your ISP?
So the router is just connected to a wall jack?
Please post a screen capture of how your attempting to configure PF or PT.
I just set a PF and PT rule here and it took:
My ISP is Kyivstar Broadband (https://kyivstar.ua/home-internet). The cable goes from the provider's switch in the attic of the house to my router in the apartment, so yes, I can say that it is connected to a wall jack. I am attaching the screenshot you requested. Port list is empty because I do not have port forwarding, and all ports are free.
I'm just adding my PC connected at .100 for the server IP address to check this:
Using MS Edge in Windows 11
no matter what port I enter in the Outgoing Mail Server Port Number field, the router doesn't accept it and doesn't save the settings.
Very strange indeed. I have had my Netgear router sending log files via email for many years. This "Email the log file" feature does not require any settings apart from those on the email activation screen. (no port forwarding, etc.)
In my case, a Gmail account is being used, so the parameters are:
- Outgoing mail server: smtp.gmail.com
- Port number: 365
(I have never attempted to set the port number incorrectly, and thus am not aware if the router is "smart enough" to reject invalid entries.)
There is no error message? (I have a dim memory of once getting confused and putting the destination email address in the box where the email authentication should be, and THAT certainly didn't work.)
p.s. Netgear released new firmware for the RAX products yesterday (Oct 17) It might be worth a few minutes to upgrade the firmware "just in case".
First of all, I want to thank you for the fresh firmware for the router. Although it did not solve my problem, it is still important. I try to always install the latest firmware versions.
Regarding error messages: if I leave the Port field empty and click Apply, I get the message "The port number must be less than 65536", and if I enter any number there, the page reloads, but the number in the Port field remains highlighted and the changes are not applied. I have attached a screenshot
The router rebooted as part of the firmware update process, so "step 1: reboot the device" cannot be a solution.
This feature has been in Orbi routers forever, so it is hard to conceive that Netgear has botched the code on this single router. "step 2: Factory Reset" may be the only recourse.
Because Factory Reset takes me over two hours of tedious data entry, especially considering the number of typos I make, it often helps to do a "soft reset". i.e.:
- Back up the router configuration to a computer.
- Do the Factory Reset by sticking the end of a paperclip into the little hole and holding it for 15 seconds.
- When the router reboots, log in and begin the configuration proess.
- Do NOT set anything you don't have to. Do not "register" the router. Do not change the WiFi credentials. Do not sign up for Armor, Parental Controls, etc.
- Simply plow ahead until reaching a screen that offers a choice:
o Continue configuring manually, or
o Load a saved configuration - Select Load a saved configuration and use the configuration that was saved to the computer.
- The router will reboot and "everything is back"
(except, we hope, whatever garbage was causing the problem)
I have done the entire process in under 10 minutes.
If THIS doesn't fix it..... oh damn.
also the usual advice to try different browser, clear cache, even try a different computer....
