Exact response pattern
550 5.7.24 SPF validation errorPermanentGenericSPF
What it means
The SPF record could not be evaluated because of a permanent configuration error.
Likely causes
- More than one SPF record.
- Invalid syntax.
- Lookup limit exceeded.
Recommended response
- Validate the SPF record.
- Consolidate policies and reduce DNS mechanisms.
Operational rule: Preserve the complete SMTP response, remote hostname, sending IP, envelope sender and timestamp. Never diagnose from the three-digit code alone.