Are you getting the "System error can't get mail" error when accessing your emails through the Mail app? This error usually occurs when the Mail app doesn't have permission to access your email or when your system is showing an incorrect date and time.

Fortunately, fixing the "System error can't get mail" error is a breeze. Simply apply the solutions below to troubleshoot the problem for good.

1. Start With Some Quick and Simple Fixes

Before making any significant changes to your computer, try logging out and back into the Mail app. This will eliminate any temporary bugs or glitches that may be causing the error.

Log In and Out of Mail, Then Restart the App

To log out of the Mail app, right-click on your account in the left sidebar and choose Account settings. Then, select the Delete account from this device option and click Delete in the following window.

Delete account from this device option in the Mail app

Now, restart the Mail app and click the Gear icon at the bottom right corner of the left sidebar. In the Settings window that crops up, choose Manage accounts and then Add account. Then, enter the credentials to log in with your account.

Add account option in the Mail app

Check the Date and Time on Windows

As mentioned earlier, incorrect date and time settings can also be a prime reason behind the Mail error. If it's wrong, check out how to change the date and time on Windows.

Allow Mail Through the Windows Firewall

If the Mail app is blocked under the Windows Firewall settings, it will fail to fetch emails and show the "System error can't get mail" error. To fix this, you'll have to allow the Mail app to run through the Windows Firewall.

Update Windows

The error can also appear due to an outdated Windows version. So, download any available Windows update to eliminate the problem at hand. To do that, open the Settings app (see how to access Settings in Windows 11), choose Windows Update from the left sidebar, and then click on the Check for updates option in the right pane.

Check for Updates option in the Settings app

2. Use the Windows Update Troubleshooter

It's common for UWP apps to run into issues. Fortunately, you can quickly get rid of all such issues using the built-in troubleshooters. To eliminate the Mail app issue, you'll have to use the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter. Here's how to use it:

  1. Open the Settings app and go to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
  2. Click the Run button next to Windows Store Apps.
    The Run button for the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter

Next, go through the troubleshooter and apply all suggestions to fix the problem.

3. Change the Mail App Privacy Settings

The 'System error can't get mail' error will likely crop up if the Mail and Calendar app doesn't have permission to access your email. To fix the issue, you'll have to enable email access for the Mail and Calendar app. Here's how:

  1. Launch the Settings app and choose Privacy & security from the left sidebar.
  2. Click the Email navigation option.
  3. Enable the toggle next to Email access.
    Email access toggle in the Settings app
  4. Click the drop-down icon next to Let apps access your email to view its expanded options.
  5. Enable the toggle next to Mail and Calendar.
    Mail and Calendar toggle in the Settings app

Now, restart your system and check for the issue.

4. Repair and Reset the Mail App

Are you still getting the error message? If yes, you'll have to repair the Mail app to fix the issue. You can do that by following these steps:

  1. Open Settings and go to Apps > Installed apps.
  2. Click the three dots next to Mail and Calendar app and choose Advanced options.
    Advanced options in the Settings menu
  3. Click the Repair button.
    Repair option in the Settings menu

Once the repair process is complete, you'll see a checkmark next to the Repair button. Next, restart your system and check for the issue. If it continues, reset the Mail app as a last resort.

To do that, open the Advanced options of the Mail and Calendar app, and click the Reset button.

Reset option in the Settings menu

Use the Mail App to Access Your Emails Again on Windows

Accessing emails is an essential aspect of our daily communication, and with the Mail app in Windows 11, you can easily do that. However, you might face the 'System error can't get mail' error while using the Mail app.

Encountering this error can be frustrating as it prevents you from accessing your vital emails. Fortunately, the above solutions can help you troubleshoot the issue quickly.