SMTP 221 Closing Connection vs 553 Mailbox Name Invalid
SMTP 221 (Closing Connection) is a 2xx Positive Completion response, while 553 (Mailbox Name Invalid) is a 5xx Permanent Negative response. 221 indicates that the server is closing the transmission channel. This is the normal response to the QUIT command, indicating a graceful end to the SMTP session. In contrast, 553 means that the requested action was not taken because the mailbox name is syntactically incorrect. The email address does not conform to the expected format.
Description
The server is closing the transmission channel. This is the normal response to the QUIT command, indicating a graceful end to the SMTP session.
Quand vous le voyez
After sending the QUIT command at the end of a mail session. The server acknowledges the disconnect and the TCP connection will be closed.
Comment résoudre
No fix needed — this is the expected response when ending an SMTP session. If you see this unexpectedly, the server may be shutting down or timing out idle connections.
Description
The requested action was not taken because the mailbox name is syntactically incorrect. The email address does not conform to the expected format.
Quand vous le voyez
When the sender or recipient address contains invalid characters, improper formatting, or violates the server's naming conventions.
Comment résoudre
Check the email address format — ensure it follows the standard [email protected] pattern with valid characters. Remove any spaces, special characters, or encoding issues from the address.
Différences clés
221 is a 2xx Positive Completion response, while 553 is a 5xx Permanent Negative response.
SMTP 221: The server is closing the transmission channel. This is the normal response to the QUIT command, indicating a graceful end to the SMTP session.
SMTP 553: The requested action was not taken because the mailbox name is syntactically incorrect. The email address does not conform to the expected format.
You encounter 221 when after sending the QUIT command at the end of a mail session. The server acknowledges the disconnect and the TCP connection will be closed.
You encounter 553 when when the sender or recipient address contains invalid characters, improper formatting, or violates the server's naming conventions.
Quand utiliser lequel
For 221 (Closing Connection): No fix needed — this is the expected response when ending an SMTP session. If you see this unexpectedly, the server may be shutting down or timing out idle connections. For 553 (Mailbox Name Invalid): Check the email address format — ensure it follows the standard [email protected] pattern with valid characters. Remove any spaces, special characters, or encoding issues from the address.