Why Are My Emails Not Delivering?
When your emails aren't reaching recipients, it's usually due to authentication problems, DNS misconfigurations, or blacklisting. Let's find out what's wrong.
Common Causes of Email Delivery Failures
Missing or Invalid SPF Record
SPF tells receiving servers which IP addresses are allowed to send email for your domain. Without it, your emails may be rejected.
Fix: Add an SPF record to your DNS or fix syntax errors in your existing record.
Check your SPFDMARC Policy Rejecting Emails
If your DMARC policy is set to 'reject' but your SPF or DKIM isn't properly configured, legitimate emails will be blocked.
Fix: Ensure SPF and DKIM pass before setting DMARC to reject, or temporarily set to 'quarantine' or 'none'.
Check your DMARCSPF Lookup Limit Exceeded
SPF has a limit of 10 DNS lookups. Exceeding this causes SPF to fail, leading to rejected emails.
Fix: Use SPF flattening to consolidate your SPF record and stay under the limit.
Learn about SPF flatteningNo MX Records
MX records tell other servers where to deliver email for your domain. Without them, you can't receive email.
Fix: Add MX records pointing to your email provider's servers.
Scan your domainDomain Blacklisted
Your domain or sending IP may be on a blacklist due to spam complaints or compromised accounts.
Fix: Check major blacklists and request delisting. Investigate the root cause.
Get help with blacklistingDNS Propagation Issues
Recent DNS changes may not have propagated to all servers, causing inconsistent delivery.
Fix: Wait 24-48 hours for DNS propagation or check TTL settings.
Check your DNS recordsFree Tools to Help
Frequently Asked Questions
Need Expert Help?
If you're still having trouble, our team can help diagnose and fix your email issues.