The email is validated, but I still can't send anything.

Just don't use the program to send photos- problem solved.   The email interface has always been a bit clunky.  
I gave up trying to use it years ago.

I typically just upload my stuff to three or 4 locations and just send links- it's so much easier than dealing with restrictions on email servers.

The following is an AI answer if you want to bother with it, which  I wouldn't-- I make my edits save the images to a folder I can find, and attach things from there. 


When an Adobe program says "The connection has been disconnected," it usually means a network/proxy issue, a problem with Creative Cloud services, or an outdated app/sync component; try signing out/in of CC, checking network/proxy settings, updating everything (CC, app, Core Sync), or resetting network settings via Command Prompt (like netsh winsock reset). 

Yes, you’re missing something, something BIG. Adobe, like most large tech companies couldn’t care less about cheapo’s like us Elements users. The big bucks come from Photoshop & Lightroom subscribers, among others of their lucrative subscription products. That’s why they provide zero support by policy, and I assume, why no version of Elements has ever worked especially well. In addition, programmers are often woefully out of touch with the way non-tech types think, as well as underpaid and overworked, which leads to carelessness in the coding as well as poor choices in the interface.

Or to put it more bluntly, Elements is just a pet for Adobe. It’s allowed to shed all over the place because it’s just nice enough to have around that many homes won’t live without it.

I remember seeing something similar quite a while ago. I received the validation confirmation for my gmail account but then realized this was only for the Organizer app and there were some extra steps required. It was necessary to log-in to my Google account to ensure Adobe had clearance.

Try checking settings with your email provider and finish setup or add Adobe to a white list if required.