How to Disable IDLE for IMAP

Most email applications use a feature called IDLE (also known as IMAP Push) to deliver new email notifications as quickly as possible. However, this feature may occasionally cause errors or open excessive server connections, leading to high CPU usage or Internal Server Errors.

If your email client uses IMAP with the IDLE function enabled and you are seeing Internal Server Errors or experiencing high CPU usage, HostGator recommends disabling the IDLE feature for your email application.

Select your email client below for instructions on how to disable IDLE:

• Microsoft Outlook 2010
• Microsoft Outlook 2007
• Mozilla Thunderbird
• Android K9 Mail
• Android Mail
• Outlook for Mac
• Mac Mail
• Apple iPad
• Summary

Microsoft Outlook 2010

1. Select the Send/Receive tab.
2. Under Send/Receive Groups, choose Define Send/Receive Groups.
3. For every group listed, uncheck Schedule an automatic send/receive every X minutes.
4. Click Close.

Microsoft Outlook 2007

1. Go to Tools and select Send/Receive.
2. Click Send/Receive Settings.
3. Select Define Send/Receive Groups.
4. For each group, uncheck Schedule an automatic send/receive every X minutes.
5. Click Close.

Mozilla Thunderbird

1. Open Tools and select Account Settings.
2. Choose Server Settings and click Advanced.
3. Set Maximum number of server connections to cache to 0 (default is 5).

Android K9 Mail

1. Select your account.
2. Open the Menu and tap More.
3. Go to Account Settings, then select Fetching Mail.
4. Set Folder poll check frequency to Never.

Android Mail

1. Select your IMAP account.
2. Open the Menu and tap More.
3. Select Settings, then choose Send & Receive.
4. Select Set download frequency.
5. Change both Peak times and Off-peak times to Manual.

Outlook for Mac

1. Click Outlook.
2. Go to Preferences, then select Accounts.
3. Choose your email account and click Advanced.
4. Uncheck Use IMAP IDLE (if supported).
5. Click OK.

Mac Mail

1. Open the Mail menu and choose Preferences.
2. Go to Accounts and select your IMAP account.
3. Open the Advanced tab and disable Use IDLE.
   If the option is not available, please contact Apple Support.

Apple iPad

1. Open Settings and select Mail, Contacts, Calendar.
2. Under Accounts, tap Fetch New Data.
3. Enable Push and set the schedule to Manually.

Summary

Disabling the IMAP IDLE (Push) feature can help resolve issues such as Internal Server Errors, excessive server connections, and high CPU usage that may occur when email clients maintain constant communication with the server. This guide provides step‑by‑step instructions for turning off the IDLE function across various email applications—including Outlook, Thunderbird, Mac Mail, Android Mail, and more—to help improve performance and reduce server strain. If you continue experiencing difficulties after adjusting these settings, contact your email client’s support team for further assistance.