SMTP 450 Mailbox Unavailable vs 501 Syntax Error in Parameters
SMTP 450 (Mailbox Unavailable) is a 4xx Transient Negative response, while 501 (Syntax Error in Parameters) is a 5xx Permanent Negative response. 450 indicates that the requested mail action was not taken because the mailbox is temporarily unavailable. This could be due to the mailbox being locked by another process or a temporary policy restriction. 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.
Descrição
The requested mail action was not taken because the mailbox is temporarily unavailable. This could be due to the mailbox being locked by another process or a temporary policy restriction.
Quando você o vê
When the recipient's mailbox exists but is currently locked, busy, or subject to greylisting. The server is asking you to try again later.
Como corrigir
Retry delivery after a few minutes. If using greylisting, the second attempt will typically succeed. For persistent failures, check if the recipient's mailbox is full or disabled.
Descrição
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.
Quando você o vê
When a command like MAIL FROM or RCPT TO has a malformed email address, missing angle brackets, or invalid characters in the arguments.
Como corrigir
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.
Diferenças principais
450 is a 4xx Transient Negative response, while 501 is a 5xx Permanent Negative response.
SMTP 450: The requested mail action was not taken because the mailbox is temporarily unavailable. This could be due to the mailbox being locked by another process or a temporary policy restriction.
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 450 when when the recipient's mailbox exists but is currently locked, busy, or subject to greylisting. The server is asking you to try again later.
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.
Quando usar qual
For 450 (Mailbox Unavailable): Retry delivery after a few minutes. If using greylisting, the second attempt will typically succeed. For persistent failures, check if the recipient's mailbox is full or disabled. 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.