There are some instances where you are attempting to communicate with someone via email, but suddenly got the the error:
“501 5.1.7 Invalid address”
This can be surprising, frustrating, and confusing. You know that you placed the email address correctly, so you should not receive these errors right?
This error message often refers to a syntax error in the sender’s email address resulting from misconfiguration in the email client or user error while using the email address. The necessity of addressing SMTP Email Error 501 5.1.7 is relevant.
So what are the possible remedies for this? Let’s find out.
Receiving the email error message, “501 5.1.7 Invalid address” means that you are encountering the SMTP Email Error 501 5.1.7. This email error indicates that your email server has noticed a problem with formatting on the email address you are trying to send a message to or discovered that the domain does not exist.
The problem with emails sent from designated addresses will be flagged by the email servers as a potential spammer and harmful resource.
This is how most SMTP Email Error 501 5.1.7 would look like as an error message:
501 5.1.7 Invalid address
501 5.1.7 Bad sender address syntax
It is displayed when the sender’s email address was not properly formatted. This syntax can be incorrect due to missing @, prohibited usage of characters, positioning of dots, deficiency in the specification of the domain.
One of the possible causes of this error is an incorrect spelling of domain name specified in the address, or potentially does not exist.The server validates the domain, and if it is not possible to resolve it, it returns a syntax error.
It can also be the result of an incorrect configuration of SMTP server settings in the client email, and the email client consequently has a problem with sending email. In this case, the server detects a syntax error because too many syntax errors have been exposed.
If the email is sent via automated systems or scripts, it is probable that the code contains some errors in the formulation of the sender’s email. This issue occurs when coding dynamic email addresses or when sending them from the previously stored data where, for whatever reason, an error was made.
There are occasions when adding extra blanks or hidden characters into your email address mistakes after copy-pasting the emai. These additional symbols often go unnoticed which make these email addresses to be invalid.
- Verify Email Address. Double-check the email address you are trying to send to. Specifically, one should check for typos and whether the email address includes an “@” symbol followed by a valid domain
- Check SMTP Settings: Ensure your SMTP settings are correctly configured:
- SMTP Server: smtp.gmail.com
- Port: 587 (with TLS) or 465 (with SSL)
- Username: Your full Gmail address
- Password: Your Gmail password
- Enable Access for Less Secure Apps: Additionally, the necessity to allow access for less secure apps in the Google account settings may indicate an unusual email client. If that is the case, consider more secure ways, such as using OAuth2.
- Confirm Email Address Format. You may need to ensure that the sender’s email address is properly formatted without any typos.
- SMTP Configuration: Check your account settings and ensure that your outgoing mail server settings are accurate:
- SMTP Server: smtp.office365.com
- Port: 587
- Encryption Method: STARTTLS
- Authentication: Enter your Outlook email and password
- Repair Outlook Profile. Sometimes, the issue might be with your Outlook profile. Use the built-in repair tool by going to File > Account Settings > Repair to automatically fix any issues with your profile.
- Inspect Email Address. Similar to the others, ensure the email address is correct and properly formatted.
- Adjust SMTP Settings. Verify your SMTP server settings are correctly entered:
- SMTP Server: smtp.mail.yahoo.com
- Port: 465 (SSL required) or 587 (TLS)
- Username: Your full Yahoo email address
- Password: Your Yahoo password
- Update Email Client. Ensure your email client is up-to-date, as outdated software can lead to compatibility issues with Yahoo’s servers.
- Check Internet Connection. Make sure that the internet connection is stable because intermittent connectivity may interfere with sending emails.
- Update Your Email Client: Current client versions might have compatibility issues with modern-day server settings and protocols.
- Restart Device. Give your phone or computer a reboot if sending emails is taking longer than usual.
Major causes of SMTP errors are due to mistakes in SMTP settings and DNS configuration. It can be a harmless mistake, but for the majority of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) this presents a major red flag that can consider your domain as a non-reputable address.
Warmy.io offers an email warm-up service, where users can slowly increase the volume and frequency of emails sent from a new or barely used email address. This has a major contribution to your email performance and avoids SMTP errors such as 501 5.1.7.
One of the best things about Warmy.io’s email warm-up servers is maximizing the potential of email users and create a decent reputation that makes their emails less likely to be spam-filtered or developed errors from the sudden spike in email frequency
Warmy.io also offers free email deliverability tests, allowing users to evaluate how well different mail servers treat their email.
It can also help identify areas where the client’s emails might not get to the recipient and adjust the strategy accordingly. The also allows you to properly setup of SPF and DMARC can help validate your emails, by reducing the rate of spoofing and phishing.
SMTP error 501 5.1.7 is one of the most actionable errors, although one should still be wary of its implications since it often results from syntax and configuration errors.
But despite how actionable and resolvable they are, one thing is certain: Disruption in email communication.
Minor disruptions in communication often result in major repercussions:
- Work Interruption;
- Failed Correspondence, and;
- Communication delays
By taking the required actions, including properly configuring email settings and utilizing email warmup tools to verify and increase email integrity, it reduces your chances of encountering these errors.
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