Sudden Apple Mail Problem with IMAP server

pearlye wrote:

I have been using successfully five different email accounts within my Apple Mail since years both on my old Macbook Pro and also on the new one I bought in december 2021. Since a few weeks – on all the five accounts – I frequently get the the error "Connections to the server “imap. (...) ” on the default ports timed out" where I can't receive mails. Sending mails is no problem, only receiving.

After about 20 or 30 minutes, the error disappears on some or all accounts and I can receive mails again.

I have no clue what I can do about this. Please help.

Does seem a bit odd—

Are all these accounts from the same sever ( for one example @gmail.com)

I would suggest —

Open mail app select Mail>Preferences>Privacy disable all :

• “Protect Mail Activity” /
• “Hide IP address” /
• “Block all remote content”

If you can’t receive emails in Mail on Mac

Did you try looking at more information from the Connection Doctor>Show Details

Use Connection Doctor in Mail on Mac - Apple Support

Uninstall all third party apps that are Cleaners/Optimizers/Anti-Virus/VPN

all known to cause issues on the macOS

A SafeBoot  How to use safe mode on your Mac - Apple Support

will tell you if third party interference; extensions etc are not loaded in safe boot mode.