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If your BlackBerry cannot send or receive email

If your BlackBerry cannot send or receive email, follow the steps below in the order given to determine the problem.

Check the signal strength

To make sure that you are in a place with a strong enough signal for BlackBerry communication, click the Options icon, and then click Status. For some models, the path is Settings, then Options, and then Status.

In the "Signal" field, verify that the value is above -100Bm. Note the "-"; this is a negative number. If the signal is weaker than -100Bm (i.e., the figure you see is bigger [105Bm or 110Bm]), the signal strength in your area is too weak for normal functions. If your signal is stronger than -100Bm (with a smaller number, i.e., -90Bm), continue troubleshooting.

Verify that you are in a coverage area where email transmission is supported

For AT&T

The network status indicator for AT&T should be "EDGE" or "3G".

Picture of AT&T Bold-Curve

The Bold on the left shows a 3G signal indicator in the upper right corner of its screen; the Curve 8900 on the right shows an "EDGE". Here is a closeup of the screen for a Bold on a 3G network:

Closeup of Bold 3G

Note the uppercase letters on both. If the "G" or "EDGE" is not uppercase, this indicates that the devices are in range of an area with limited coverage. Phone calls and texting will work, but data like web browsing and BES mail delivery will most likely not.

For more, including a breakdown on what an AT&T customer can and cannot do depending on the indicated signal, see AT&T's Check the Wireless Network Availability for the RIM BlackBerry Bold 9000 using Handheld Software Version 4.6.

The 3G network is faster; Indianapolis and Bloomington users should see that level of service.

Older models that do not support EDGE or 3G will most likely have a "GPRS" indicator; "GPRS" should be capitalized. Following is a table of network status indicators for those models:

Network status indicators for AT&T

For Verizon

The network status indicator for Verizon should be "1X" or "1XEV". The "X" or "XEV" should be upper case, and the same size on the screen as the "1":

Network status indicators for Verizon

Following is a table of network status indicators for Verizon:

Network status indicators for Verizon

Regardless of whether you use AT&T, Verizon, or any other carrier, if your network status indicates email is not supported in your area, you must move to a location where email is supported. If your network status indicates email support, but you still cannot send or receive email, continue troubleshooting.

Check the date and time

On most models, click the Options icon, and then click Date/Time.

If the date and time are incorrect, fix them, and then test to see if you can send or receive email. If the date and time are correct, or if you have problems after fixing them, continue troubleshooting.

Reset your BlackBerry

Reset your device by powering it down, and then remove the battery, count off around 30 seconds, and then reinsert it. Once the BlackBerry has restarted, test to see whether you can now send and receive email. If you cannot, continue troubleshooting.

Check network settings

To check the network settings on most models:

  1. Click the Options icon, and then click Network or Network Settings.

  2. In the "Radio" field, verify that the value is set to On.

  3. In the "Roaming" field, verify that the correct country is displayed.

  4. Verify that the "Status" is active, and then click the trackwheel. A menu will appear.

  5. Click Register Now and verify that the registration request is sent.

If you are unable to register the handheld or connect to the network, or do not have the correct options displayed in the "Roaming" or "Status" fields, contact your service provider. If these settings are all correct, and you are able to register your BlackBerry, continue troubleshooting.

Disconnect from the BlackBerry network

Remove the device battery for about five minutes to ensure a complete disconnect from the BlackBerry network. This causes a hard reset, forcing the network to register the device as a new device on the network. This is a common fix for coverage areas in which you normally have a connection and can send and receive email, but are now having trouble (see the charts above to determine coverage areas).

Check to see if redirection is enabled

From the Desktop Manager Software

Open Desktop Manager and double-click Redirector Settings. Make sure Redirect incoming messages to your handheld is checked.

From the BlackBerry handheld

  1. Open the messages screen and select Options.

  2. Choose Email Settings.

  3. On the Email Settings screen, choose Folder Redirection.

  4. On the Folder Redirection page, select Mailbox- (Name of User), and choose Expand.

    You should see a list of folders that includes Deleted Items, Inbox, Junk E-mail, and Sent Items. For mail messages to be received, the Inbox folder must have a checkmark next to it. Sent Items is checked by default and will not affect mail delivery.

    For more information, see With a BlackBerry, how do I wirelessly reconcile the folders from my mailbox?

If redirection is enabled and you are still unable to send or receive email, continue troubleshooting.

Check mail filters and mail redirection

For general information on mail filters and mail redirection, see With the BlackBerry Desktop Manager, how do I configure filters to control mail redirection? For more information on wireless mail redirection, see With a BlackBerry, how do I wirelessly reconcile the folders from my mailbox?

If your device is still not able to send or receive email, contact the Support Center or your BlackBerry provider.