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DNS, SSL & email

SMTP codes and bounce decoder

Why an email bounced: paste the bounce (Mail Delivery Failed, Undeliverable) and get the codes, the cause and the fix. Plus a reference of every SMTP reply code and enhanced 5.x.x status, with Gmail and Microsoft 365 variants.

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2xx · Success

The command was accepted.

3xx · Intermediate

The server waits for more input.

4xx · Temporary failure

The sender will retry; the message is not lost yet.

5xx · Permanent failure

The message will not be delivered as is; something must change.

Enhanced status codes (RFC 3463)

Like 5.7.1: class, subject (1 address, 2 mailbox, 4 network, 7 policy), detail.

How to read an SMTP code

The three-digit code: 2xx success, 3xx the server waits for more, 4xx a temporary error (it will be retried), 5xx a permanent one (the message comes back). An enhanced code like 5.7.1 adds the reason: the middle digit is the subject (address, mailbox, network, policy), the last one the detail. The text after the code differs between servers, but often holds the key: a blocklist name or a help link.

Check a domain’s email setup end to end: domain check, deliverability test, header analyzer.

Idea?