SMTP 252 Cannot Verify User vs 551 User Not Local
SMTP 252 (Cannot Verify User) is a 2xx Positive Completion response, while 551 (User Not Local) is a 5xx Permanent Negative response. 252 indicates that the server cannot verify the user but will accept the message and attempt delivery. This is often returned in response to VRFY when the server intentionally hides user information. In contrast, 551 means that the recipient is not local to this server and the server does not accept mail for forwarding. Unlike 251, this is a rejection — the server will not relay the message.
الوصف
The server cannot verify the user but will accept the message and attempt delivery. This is often returned in response to VRFY when the server intentionally hides user information.
متى تراه
When using the VRFY command to check if a recipient exists. The server refuses to confirm or deny the address, typically as a spam-prevention measure.
كيفية الإصلاح
No fix needed — the server will still attempt delivery. If you need to verify addresses, contact the mail administrator or rely on bounce-back messages instead.
الوصف
The recipient is not local to this server and the server does not accept mail for forwarding. Unlike 251, this is a rejection — the server will not relay the message.
متى تراه
When sending to a recipient that has moved or whose mailbox is hosted elsewhere, and this server refuses to forward the message to the new location.
كيفية الإصلاح
Check the server's response for a forwarding address and resend directly to that address. Update your contact records if the recipient has permanently moved to a new mail server.
الفروق الرئيسية
252 is a 2xx Positive Completion response, while 551 is a 5xx Permanent Negative response.
SMTP 252: The server cannot verify the user but will accept the message and attempt delivery. This is often returned in response to VRFY when the server intentionally hides user information.
SMTP 551: The recipient is not local to this server and the server does not accept mail for forwarding. Unlike 251, this is a rejection — the server will not relay the message.
You encounter 252 when when using the VRFY command to check if a recipient exists. The server refuses to confirm or deny the address, typically as a spam-prevention measure.
You encounter 551 when when sending to a recipient that has moved or whose mailbox is hosted elsewhere, and this server refuses to forward the message to the new location.
متى تستخدم أيًا منهما
For 252 (Cannot Verify User): No fix needed — the server will still attempt delivery. If you need to verify addresses, contact the mail administrator or rely on bounce-back messages instead. For 551 (User Not Local): Check the server's response for a forwarding address and resend directly to that address. Update your contact records if the recipient has permanently moved to a new mail server.