Why has my email stopped syncing?

[AC Question]

Email stops syncing

This is a Galaxy Tab Pro tablet running Android 4.4.2
Email stops syncing. Email accessed via Outlook on PC is working fine.
I am using the Android email app.

In the email app, it says "Last updated: 12/25/15" I press the sync icon, and no emails are downloaded.

If I go to Settings>Accounts>email it says "Last synced on 01/14/16"

I have tried numerous things to try to fix this.

This happened before (several months ago) and I didn't pay much attention. The fix back then was to delete the email account, and then create a new account (with the exact same details). The problem with this method is that the email app will then download EVERYTHING that is on the server. A PITA.

What else can I try besides delete and re-create???

Thanks!

 

[B. Diddy]

Re: Email stops syncing

Welcome to Android Central! Which email provider? Do you know if you're using a POP3 or IMAP server? POP3 is an older protocol and will download the emails, while IMAP will simply sync and show you what's on the server (as opposed to downloading the emails). Read more here: IMAP vs POP3

If your email provider does have IMAP available, I suggest using those settings.

 

[Larie Trippet]

Re: Email stops syncing

B. Diddy,
Thank you for your reply.
I have my own domain that I use through Blue Host.
I slightly resist change when things are working. Hence I still use POP3.
I will seriously consider switching to IMAP. Your link was very helpful. Thank you for that!
But I think this is an Android issue. Emails were downloading just fine for quite awhile. Then it stops.
Can anyone explain, of fix, the 2 different dates I mentioned in the original post?
One date implies that it synced successfully (although no emails came through) and the other date implies that it has not synced sinced December (which is accurate)
Thanks!

 

[B. Diddy]

Re: Email stops syncing

I do see issues here from time to time about email accounts getting unsynced somehow in the stock Email app. As you mentioned, removing the email account and then adding it back is the usual solution. I'm not sure if there are any better workarounds. You could consider a 3rd party email app like Aqua Mail or MailDroid.

 

[Larie Trippet]

Re: Email stops syncing

B. Diddy thanks again!
I am doing the research you suggested to switch to a webmail service, rather than a desktop client and use IMAP.
Cheers,