InMotion Hosting Email Bounce Troubleshooting
Email bounces are a common frustration when sending emails. Understanding why your emails are bouncing and how to fix the issue is crucial for maintaining effective communication. This article provides practical steps to troubleshoot email bounces when using InMotion Hosting.
Understanding Email Bounce Codes
When an email bounces, you typically receive a bounce-back message containing an error code. These codes provide clues about the reason for the failure. Here are some common bounce codes and their meanings:
- 550 5.1.1: User unknown. This indicates the recipient's email address doesn't exist. Double-check the address for typos.
- 550 5.4.1: Relay access denied. This often means your email server isn't authorized to send emails on behalf of the sender address. This can happen if your email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) isn't properly configured.
- 450 4.7.1: Greylisting. The recipient's server is temporarily rejecting your email to combat spam. Your server will automatically retry delivery after a short delay (typically 10-15 minutes).
- 552 5.2.2: Mailbox full. The recipient's mailbox is full and cannot accept new messages.
- 554 5.7.1: Email blocked due to spam content or reputation issues.
Troubleshooting Steps for InMotion Hosting Email Bounces
- Verify Recipient Email Address: Double-check the recipient's email address for any typos. Even a small mistake can cause a bounce.
- Check Email Authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC): Ensure your SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records are correctly configured in your DNS settings. InMotion Hosting provides documentation on how to set these up. Incorrect configuration can lead to delivery issues. Log into your cPanel and use the Email Deliverability tool to guide you.
- Review Your Email Content: Avoid using spam trigger words and ensure your email content is relevant and engaging. Excessive use of capital letters, exclamation points, and sales-oriented language can flag your email as spam.
- Check Your Sending Limits: InMotion Hosting has sending limits to prevent spam. Exceeding these limits can result in temporary restrictions. Standard shared hosting plans typically have a limit of around 500 emails per hour. Consider using a dedicated IP address or a third-party email marketing service if you need to send a large volume of emails.
- Monitor Your IP Address and Domain Reputation: Check if your IP address or domain is blacklisted. Use online tools like MXToolbox to check your reputation. If you find your IP or domain blacklisted, follow the instructions provided by the blacklist to request removal.
- Contact InMotion Hosting Support: If you've tried the above steps and are still experiencing issues, contact InMotion Hosting's support team. They can provide further assistance and investigate any server-side issues.
By following these steps, you can effectively troubleshoot email bounces and improve your email deliverability with InMotion Hosting.