SMTP is an internet standard used by mail servers to send and receive email. SMTP error messages help you understand why a message wasn't sent successfully. If incoming or outgoing messages are bouncing, check the bounce messages for an SMTP error code that can help you diagnose the problem.
SMTP error messages follow this format. Each digit in the error and status codes provides an increasing level of detail:
| Reply code | Status code | Reply text |
|---|---|---|
| xyz | x.y.z | Text description |
This is an example SMTP error message. The message describes why the error occurred and recommends actions to fix the problem:
Reply codes
The SMTP reply codes refer to specific parts of the email service, and can indicate issues like:
- The intended recipient isn't registered with the service.
- The message was marked as spam or as having a virus.
- The sender’s domain was identified as a source of spam.
- The message violated your company’s email policy. For example, the message included a credit card number or prohibited language.
Response codes that start with 4 and 5 are errors, and the number indicates the error type. Errors that start with a 4 are temporary failures. No action is needed, the sender will try again. Errors that start with 5 are permanent failures and action is required to fix the problem.
Common SMTP 400 error codes
Error codes that start with a 4 indicate the server had temporary failure but the action will be completed with another try. Error codes that start with 4 are typically errors related to the receiving mail server.
| Error code | Description |
|---|---|
| 421 | Service isn't available, try again later |
| 450 | Requested action wasn't taken because the user's mailbox was unavailable |
| 451 | Message not sent because of server error |
| 452 | Command stopped because there isn’t enough server storage |
| 455 | Server can't deal with the command right now |
Common SMTP 500 error codes
| Error code | Description |
|---|---|
| 500 | Server couldn't recognize the command because of a syntax error |
| 501 | Syntax error found in command parameters or arguments |
| 502 | Command not implemented |
| 503 | Server had bad sequence of commands |
| 541 | Message rejected by the recipient address |
| 550 | Requested command failed because the user’s mailbox was unavailable, or the receiving server rejected the message because it was likely spam |
| 551 | Intended recipient mailbox isn't available on the receiving server |
| 552 | Message wasn't sent because the recipient mailbox doesn't have enough storage |
| 553 | Command stopped because the mailbox name doesn't exist |
| 554 | Transaction failed without additional details |
SMTP error codes are typically followed by 3 more digits. This is the SMTP enhanced status code, which gives more detail about what caused the failure. The second number in the code indicates the response category. The third character in the code provides the additional details.
Reply code 421 is a temporary error about the transmission channel that contains an informational request.
| Reply code | Description |
|---|---|
| x0z | Syntax errors |
| x1z | Replies to information requests |
| x2z | Transmission channel errors |
| x3z | Unspecified |
| x4z | Unspecified |
| x5z | Mail system status |
Status codes
The first digit in the status code indicates the code class, the second digit indicates the subject, and the third digit provides more detail.
Status code 4.4.5 is a temporary network and routing issue for the mail delivery protocol status.
| Status code | Description |
|---|---|
| x.0.z | Unidentified |
| x.1.z | Addressing status |
| x.2.x | Mailbox status |
| x.3.x | Mail system status |
| x.5.x | Mail delivery protocol status |
| x.6.x | Message content or media status |
| x.7.x | Security or policy status |
Reply text
The last field in an SMTP error message describes the error.
