Why Did My Business Email Bounce? 6 Useful Checks
An email has bounced. What should you check first? The delivery report can explain why the message did not arrive.
1:47 · No narration: the video shows each step as text on screen, and every step is written out below, with buttons that jump the video to it.
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The six points in the video
This is a silent video. The headings, explanations and labels below reproduce the information on screen.
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Step 1: Find the delivery report
Look for the failed address, error text and time of the attempt.
On-screen labels: Failed recipient; Error message; Time sent.
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Step 2: Check the address carefully
A typo or an old address can prevent delivery.
On-screen labels: Spelling; Domain name; Current contact details.
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Step 3: Read the stated failure
A full mailbox and an authentication problem need different fixes.
On-screen labels: Mailbox capacity; Sending restriction; Authentication error.
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Step 4: Check whether it is temporary
The report or provider guidance may explain whether to retry later.
On-screen labels: Temporary issue; Permanent issue; Provider guidance.
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Step 5: Keep useful evidence
Share the error and timestamp with support using an appropriate channel.
On-screen labels: Exact error; Relevant timestamp; Private details removed.
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Step 6: Confirm the result afterwards
Send an appropriate test after the cause has been addressed.
On-screen labels: Underlying fix; Controlled test; Recipient confirmation.
A practical check for your business
Keep the full delivery-failure notice and the intended recipient address. Use the reported reason and sending context to investigate rather than repeatedly sending the same message without understanding the failure.
Sources and further detail
Common questions
An email has bounced. What should you check first?
The delivery report can explain why the message did not arrive. Match the next step to the delivery error.
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