SMTP

SMTP 220 Service Ready vs 503 Bad Sequence

SMTP 220 (Service Ready) is a 2xx Positive Completion response, while 503 (Bad Sequence) 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, 503 means that the commands were sent in the wrong order. SMTP requires a specific command sequence (EHLO, MAIL FROM, RCPT TO, DATA) and this error indicates a step was skipped or repeated.

描述

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.

何时出现

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.

如何修复

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.

描述

The commands were sent in the wrong order. SMTP requires a specific command sequence (EHLO, MAIL FROM, RCPT TO, DATA) and this error indicates a step was skipped or repeated.

何时出现

When sending DATA before RCPT TO, or MAIL FROM before EHLO. The server enforces the correct SMTP command sequence and you have sent a command out of order.

如何修复

Follow the proper SMTP command sequence: EHLO/HELO first, then MAIL FROM, then RCPT TO (one or more), then DATA. Reset with RSET if you need to start over.

主要区别

1.

220 is a 2xx Positive Completion response, while 503 is a 5xx Permanent Negative response.

2.

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

3.

SMTP 503: The commands were sent in the wrong order. SMTP requires a specific command sequence (EHLO, MAIL FROM, RCPT TO, DATA) and this error indicates a step was skipped or repeated.

4.

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.

5.

You encounter 503 when when sending DATA before RCPT TO, or MAIL FROM before EHLO. The server enforces the correct SMTP command sequence and you have sent a command out of order.

何时使用哪个

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 503 (Bad Sequence): Follow the proper SMTP command sequence: EHLO/HELO first, then MAIL FROM, then RCPT TO (one or more), then DATA. Reset with RSET if you need to start over.

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