SMTP Error Encyclopedia · Entry 053

Unable to relay recipient

Generic · Relay · 550 5.7.54

Exact response pattern550 5.7.54 Unable to relay recipient in non-accepted domain
PermanentGenericRelay

What it means

The SMTP server is not configured to relay to the recipient domain for this session.

Likely causes

  • Wrong connector.
  • Unauthenticated relay attempt.
  • Recipient domain not accepted.

Recommended response

  1. Use the correct authenticated submission service.
  2. Fix connector or accepted-domain configuration.
  3. Do not treat this as an IP reputation problem.
Operational rule: Preserve the complete SMTP response, remote hostname, sending IP, envelope sender and timestamp. Never diagnose from the three-digit code alone.

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