SMTP 220 Service Ready vs 521 Host Does Not Accept Mail
SMTP 220 (Service Ready) is a 2xx Positive Completion response, while 521 (Host Does Not Accept Mail) is a 5xx Permanent Negative response. 220 indicates that the SMTP server is ready to begin the mail transaction. This greeting is the first response a client receives upon connecting, and it typically includes the server's hostname and software identificati In contrast, 521 means that the host does not accept mail at all. This indicates the server exists but is explicitly configured to reject all incoming email messages.
Description
The SMTP server is ready to begin the mail transaction. This greeting is the first response a client receives upon connecting, and it typically includes the server's hostname and software identification.
Quand vous le voyez
Immediately after establishing a TCP connection to the mail server on port 25, 465, or 587. This is the server's welcome banner confirming it is ready to accept commands.
Comment résoudre
No fix needed — this confirms a successful connection. If you do not receive this greeting, check that the server is running, the port is correct, and no firewall is blocking the connection.
Description
The host does not accept mail at all. This indicates the server exists but is explicitly configured to reject all incoming email messages.
Quand vous le voyez
When connecting to a server that has been intentionally configured to refuse all email, such as a domain that only sends but never receives mail.
Comment résoudre
Verify you are connecting to the correct mail server by checking the domain's MX records. If the domain truly does not accept mail, contact the recipient through an alternative channel.
Différences clés
220 is a 2xx Positive Completion response, while 521 is a 5xx Permanent Negative response.
SMTP 220: The SMTP server is ready to begin the mail transaction. This greeting is the first response a client receives upon connecting, and it typically includes the server's hostname and software identificati
SMTP 521: The host does not accept mail at all. This indicates the server exists but is explicitly configured to reject all incoming email messages.
You encounter 220 when immediately after establishing a TCP connection to the mail server on port 25, 465, or 587. This is the server's welcome banner confirming it is ready to accept commands.
You encounter 521 when when connecting to a server that has been intentionally configured to refuse all email, such as a domain that only sends but never receives mail.
Quand utiliser lequel
For 220 (Service Ready): No fix needed — this confirms a successful connection. If you do not receive this greeting, check that the server is running, the port is correct, and no firewall is blocking the connection. For 521 (Host Does Not Accept Mail): Verify you are connecting to the correct mail server by checking the domain's MX records. If the domain truly does not accept mail, contact the recipient through an alternative channel.