Outlook error 0x800CCC0E

I have been using Microsoft Outlook installed as part of Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for several years with no problems based on the following settings:

Account Type:                        IMAP

Incoming mail server:              imap.aol.com           Port 993       Encryption method SSL/TLS*

Outgoing mail server (SMTP): smtp.aol.com           Port 465       Encryption method SSL/TLS*

*only other options are None, STARTTLS or Auto

AOL recommended settings are:

Protocol    Server Settings                         Port Settings

IMAP        Incoming mail server (IMAP): imap.aol.com
 Outgoing mail server (SMTP): smtp.aol.com IMAP-993-SSL
SMTP-465-SSL

Suddenly a little while ago my emails stopped downloading in Microsoft Outlook with this error message:

Task ‘karenl823@aol.com: Folder: Inbox Check for new mail.' reported error (0x800CCC0E) : 'Outlook cannot download folder Inbox from the IMAP email server for account karenl823@aol.com. Error: Cannot connect to the server. If you continue to receive this message, contact your server administrator or Internet service provider (ISP).’

I can successfully download the emails on my phone and I can access them online by logging in emails on AOL.com (so I know I have the email address and password correct) but I can no longer get them to download in Microsoft Outlook.

Thinking it was only a temporary problem I left it a few days but I still have the same problem. I have browsed online and since tried the following remedies:

1.Repair option in Outlook (says it cannot connect to the server)

2.Turning off anti-virus and firewall software (same Outlook error message reported)

3.Changed from Outgoing Server Port 465 to 25, 467 and 587but none works saying ‘We couldn’t log on to the incoming (IMAP) server’.

4.On File\Account Settings\Account Settings\More Options on the Outgoing Server tab, I ticked My outgoing server (SMTP) requires authentication, then OK and Next but it failed with errors:

‘Log onto incoming mail server (IMAP): The server rejected your logon. Verify that your user name and password are correct’ (which they are correct)

‘Send test email message: Your server does not support the connection encryption type you have specified. Try changing the encryption method. Contact your mail server administrator or Internet service provider (ISP) for additional assistance’.

5.Turned off Email Scanning in Anti Virus (same Outlook error message)

6.Totally uninstalled Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 and reinstalled but same Outlook error message

7.Created new Profile in Outlook called TEST with my email address but after the configuring stage it errors saying:

‘An encrypted connection to your mail server is not available. Click Next to attempt using an unencrypted connection’.

I then clicked Next to try unencrypted connection but errored again saying:

We’re sorry, we couldn’t set up your account automatically. To try setting up the account yourself, click Next.

I then clicked Next to try and set up Manually, selecting ‘POP or IMAP’ with IMAP server settings as above but it ‘Failed’ saying:

‘Log onto incoming mail server (IMAP): The connection to the server failed.

Send test email message: Cannot send the message. Verify the email address in your account properties.  The server responded: 554 Email rejected’

8.I then bought third party Outbyte software costing £24.95 that reported it could fix Microsoft Outlook error message 0x800CCC0E or they guaranteed your money back. I paid, download and ran the software, then the repair but still I have the same problem in Outlook with error message 0x800CCC0E. (Now also having a battle to get my money back!).

I am really out of my depth and hope someone may be able to help (but using idiot proof terms please!!!).

Thanks