SMTP 354 Start Mail Input vs 501 Syntax Error in Parameters
SMTP 354 (Start Mail Input) is a 3xx Positive Intermediate response, while 501 (Syntax Error in Parameters) is a 5xx Permanent Negative response. 354 indicates that the server is ready to receive the message body. The client should begin sending the email content (headers and body) and terminate with a single line containing only a period (CRLF.CRLF). In contrast, 501 means that the command was recognized but the parameters or arguments are syntactically invalid. The server understood what you wanted to do but could not parse the details.
Descripción
The server is ready to receive the message body. The client should begin sending the email content (headers and body) and terminate with a single line containing only a period (CRLF.CRLF).
Cuándo lo verás
After sending the DATA command. The server is now waiting for you to type or stream the email message, ending with a dot on its own line.
Cómo solucionarlo
Send your message content followed by a line with just a period (.) to signal the end. If you get an error after this, check that your message does not contain a bare period on a line by itself within the body.
Descripción
The command was recognized but the parameters or arguments are syntactically invalid. The server understood what you wanted to do but could not parse the details.
Cuándo lo verás
When a command like MAIL FROM or RCPT TO has a malformed email address, missing angle brackets, or invalid characters in the arguments.
Cómo solucionarlo
Review the parameter format — email addresses should be enclosed in angle brackets (e.g., <[email protected]>). Check for stray spaces, missing colons, or encoding issues.
Diferencias clave
354 is a 3xx Positive Intermediate response, while 501 is a 5xx Permanent Negative response.
SMTP 354: The server is ready to receive the message body. The client should begin sending the email content (headers and body) and terminate with a single line containing only a period (CRLF.CRLF).
SMTP 501: The command was recognized but the parameters or arguments are syntactically invalid. The server understood what you wanted to do but could not parse the details.
You encounter 354 when after sending the DATA command. The server is now waiting for you to type or stream the email message, ending with a dot on its own line.
You encounter 501 when when a command like MAIL FROM or RCPT TO has a malformed email address, missing angle brackets, or invalid characters in the arguments.
Cuándo usar cada uno
For 354 (Start Mail Input): Send your message content followed by a line with just a period (.) to signal the end. If you get an error after this, check that your message does not contain a bare period on a line by itself within the body. For 501 (Syntax Error in Parameters): Review the parameter format — email addresses should be enclosed in angle brackets (e.g., <[email protected]>). Check for stray spaces, missing colons, or encoding issues.