# Configuring outbound proxy support for system-generated emails

> This article shows how to configure your Cascade CMS environment to send emails if you're using an outbound proxy .

URL: https://www.hannonhill.com/cascadecms/latest/articles/cascade-administration/installation-and-upgrades/system-configuration/email-proxy-support.html
category: Cascade Administration
article-type: how-to
content-kind: article
release-availability: all
tags: installation
updated: 2026-10-06

## Overview

If you use a proxy for outbound connections with Cascade CMS, you may encounter error messages like the one seen below for any system-generated emails (such as workflow notification emails):

```xml
2020-06-24 16:01:31,504 ERROR [SendGridEmail] {User: ..., id: not specified, type: not specified} Could not send mail Workflow: ... to ... :
org.apache.http.conn.HttpHostConnectException: Connect to api.sendgrid.com:443 [api.sendgrid.com...] failed: Connection refused (Connection refused)
```

As of Cascade CMS version 8.16, system-generated emails sent via SendGrid can support outbound proxies so long as your proxy host and port settings are properly configured in your `JAVA_OPTS:`

- For Linux/*nix admins, the `JAVA_OPTS` line will be located in the *cascade.sh* file at the root of your Cascade CMS installation.
- For Windows admins running Cascade CMS with the Windows Service, `JAVA_OPTS` can be found using the steps below:
    - In Windows Explorer, right-click on the file *tomcat/bin/CascadeCMSw.exe*.
    - Select **Run as Administrator**.
    - Switch to the **Java** tab and locate the **Java Options** field.
- For Windows admins running Cascade CMS via the command line, the `JAVA_OPTS` line will be located in the *cascade.bat* file at the root of your Cascade CMS installation.

Using the corresponding steps for your O/S vendor above, add the following parameters to your `JAVA_OPTS`, substituting the correct values for your outbound proxy host and port:

```xml
-Dhttp.proxyHost=example.com
-Dhttp.proxyPort=8080
-Dhttps.proxyHost=example.com
-Dhttps.proxyPort=8080
```