5.x.x permanent failure
SMTP Error Code 554: Meaning, Causes and How to Fix It
SMTP 554 is a permanent failure.
The transaction failed with no more specific reason offered. In practice the receiver is saying the message is unwanted: a spam verdict, a blocklisted IP, or a policy rejection. The accompanying text is where the detail is.
- Class
- 5xx permanent
- Bounce type
- Hard bounce
- Highest severity
- High
- Responses on record
- 28
Apple
Barracuda
Free
Mimecast
Outlook
Proofpoint
Rambler
Trend Micro
Yahoo Inc
Yandex
ZohoSMTP 554 responses from email providers
How mailbox providers phrase a 554. Open a provider for the full text, severity and fix for every variation.
Apple2 responses
Comcast2 responses
host xx.comcast.net [x.xx.xx.xx] SMTP error from remote mail server after initial connection: 554 xx.comcast.net comcast x.xx.xx.xx Comcast requires that all mail servers must have a PTR record with a valid Reverse DNS entry. Currently your mail server does not fill that requirement. For more information, refer to: http://postmaster.comcast.net/smtp-error-codes.php#554
554 xx.comcast.net comcast x.xx.xx.xx Comcast block for spam. Please see http://postmaster.comcast.net/smtp-error-codes.php#BL000000
Free1 response
Outlook2 responses
smtp;554 5.2.122 The recipient has exceeded their limit for the number of messages they can receive per hour. For more information go to http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=526653. (#) [outlook.com]
smtp;554 5.2.121 The sender has exceeded the limit for the number of messages they can send to this recipient per hour. For more information go to http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=526653. [#.prod.outlook.com #]
Rambler1 response
Yahoo Inc8 responses
smtp;554 delivery error: dd This user doesn't have a example.com account ([email protected]) [-9] - example.yahoo.com
smtp;554 delivery error: dd Sorry, your message to [email protected] cannot be delivered. This mailbox is disabled (554.30). - example.yahoo.com
Yandex1 response
SMTP 554 responses from spam filters
How spam-filtering gateways phrase a 554 rejection.
Barracuda2 responses
Mimecast1 response
Proofpoint1 response
SMTP 554 questions
›Is SMTP 554 a hard bounce or a soft bounce?
It is a permanent failure, so a hard bounce. The receiving server will not accept the same message on a retry, and the address or the sending problem has to be fixed before you resend.
›What causes an SMTP 554 error?
The transaction failed with no more specific reason offered. In practice the receiver is saying the message is unwanted: a spam verdict, a blocklisted IP, or a policy rejection. The accompanying text is where the detail is. The exact reason varies by receiver, which is why this page lists the specific 554 responses recorded for Apple, Barracuda, Comcast, Free, Mimecast, Outlook.
›How do I fix an SMTP 554 bounce?
Read the enhanced status code and the message text, not just the number. Wording that names the recipient (user unknown, mailbox unavailable) means correct or remove the address. Wording that names authentication or reputation (SPF, DKIM, DMARC, blocklist) means fix that on the sending side, or clear the listing. Every response on this page has its own guidance.