How to fix Hotmail error 451 4.7.652 exceeded maximum number of connections?

Summary

The Hotmail error 451 4.7.652, caused by exceeding connection limits, requires a multi-faceted approach. The primary solution is throttling SMTP connections by reducing concurrent connections, spacing out emails, and using queueing systems. It's also crucial to improve sender reputation through proper authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), IP warm-up, and monitoring via Microsoft SNDS. Reviewing email architecture, including DNS records and utilizing connection pools, is essential. While expanding IP addresses *can* help, it's risky for inexperienced senders and may lead to snowshoeing. Remember to implement retry logic for transient errors, monitor server load, and consider potential delays on the receiving end. High engagement is beneficial, indicating a good sender reputation. Reading SMTP logs can assist in understanding issues.

Key findings

  • Throttling: Reduce concurrent SMTP connections to Hotmail/Outlook.com.
  • Reputation: Improve sender reputation through authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) and IP warm-up.
  • Architecture: Review email architecture, including DNS records and connection pools.
  • IP Management: Expanding IP addresses is a complex strategy and should be considered with caution.
  • Monitoring: Monitor IP and domain reputation using Microsoft's SNDS.

Key considerations

  • Sender Experience: Assess the sender's level of expertise before implementing advanced solutions.
  • Underlying Issue: Identify and address the root cause of the connection problem.
  • Transient Errors: Implement retry mechanisms to handle transient connection failures.
  • Snowshoeing Risk: Be aware of the risks associated with snowshoeing and avoid practices that could lead to it.
  • SMTP logs: Read SMTP logs to find the cause.

What email marketers say
13Marketer opinions

The Hotmail error 451 4.7.652, which indicates exceeding the maximum number of connections, is typically resolved by throttling SMTP connections, improving sender reputation, and reviewing email sending architecture. Throttling involves reducing concurrent connections, spacing out emails, and implementing queueing systems. Improving sender reputation requires authenticating emails (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), warming up IPs slowly, and monitoring reputation via Microsoft's SNDS. Reviewing architecture includes checking DNS records, using connection pools, and considering potential mail server delays. While expanding IP addresses can be a solution for high volumes, it must be managed carefully to avoid snowshoeing and negative impacts on reputation. High engagement rates are important.

Key opinions

  • Throttling: Reduce concurrent SMTP connections to Hotmail/Outlook.com.
  • Reputation: Improve sender reputation through authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) and IP warm-up.
  • Architecture: Review email architecture, including DNS records and connection pools.
  • Engagement: Increase engagement rates to positively influence reputation.
  • Monitoring: Monitor IP and domain reputation using Microsoft's SNDS.

Key considerations

  • Volume: Consider expanding IP addresses only if sending high volumes, and manage carefully to avoid snowshoeing.
  • Delays: Check for potential mail server delays on the receiving end before making changes.
  • SMTP Logs: Read SMTP logs as they indicate if throttling is needed or if reputation is an issue.
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks shares that throttling sending voluntarily and/or expanding the number of IP addresses you send with, so the connections get load balanced / spread, can help fix the connection limits.

March 2021 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from SuperUser suggests there could be mail server delays due to various reasons on the receiving end, so it might not always be an immediate issue with the sender and to check mail server status.

October 2023 - SuperUser
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks shares that the SMTP log is saying 'you have to reduce the volume of connections', not 'you need to expand the volume of IPs' and when it says so... It means that you have setup issues or worth, reputation issues! Adding more IPs would only generate is risk of snowshoeing behavior, which is the worst thing to do!

September 2023 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Deliverability Blog responds that if using new IPs, warm them up slowly to establish reputation with Microsoft. Start with low volumes and gradually increase.

August 2024 - Email Deliverability Blog
Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailMarketingForum shares that high engagement rates on your emails can positively influence reputation. Focus on quality content and targeted sending to improve engagement.

January 2024 - EmailMarketingForum
Marketer view

Email marketer from SMTPGuru Forums explains that the error means you're opening too many simultaneous connections. Review your email sending script and reduce the number of concurrent threads.

July 2023 - SMTPGuru Forums
Marketer view

Email Marketer from StackOverflow shares that you need to throttle the number of concurrent SMTP connections to Hotmail/Outlook.com. Space out your emails or use a queueing system.

January 2022 - StackOverflow
Marketer view

Email marketer from Webmaster World responds that it could be a reputation issue as Microsoft limits connections from IPs with low reputation. Improve sender reputation by authenticating emails and following best practices.

January 2025 - Webmaster World
Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailProviderReviews suggests using connection pools in your application to reuse existing connections instead of creating new ones for each email. This can reduce the number of connection attempts.

December 2023 - EmailProviderReviews
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit shares that Microsoft has aggressive sending limits. Reduce the number of emails sent per connection and use multiple IPs if volume is high (but manage reputation carefully).

May 2021 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailGeeks forums advises monitoring IP and domain reputation using Microsoft's SNDS (Smart Network Data Services) to identify and address any deliverability issues.

January 2024 - EmailGeeks
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks explains that the number of connections is a function of not just RPM in total, but per IP. Simply the way TCP/IP networking works.

August 2023 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from LinuxQuestions.org suggests reviewing your email architecture. Ensure proper DNS records (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) are set up to improve deliverability and reduce connection rejections.

December 2023 - LinuxQuestions.org

What the experts say
4Expert opinions

Experts agree that fixing Hotmail error 451 4.7.652 primarily involves reducing concurrent SMTP connections. Opening too many connections leads to the error. Expanding IP addresses is generally not recommended, especially for inexperienced senders, as it can cause more problems and potentially lead to snowshoeing, which harms sender reputation. Addressing the underlying connection issue should be the first priority.

Key opinions

  • Throttle Connections: Reducing the number of concurrent SMTP connections is the primary solution.
  • IP Expansion Caution: Expanding IP addresses is not generally recommended without addressing the core connection issue.
  • Snowshoeing Risk: Increasing IPs without proper management can lead to snowshoeing and damage sender reputation.

Key considerations

  • Sender Experience: Consider the sender's level of experience before expanding IPs.
  • Underlying Issue: Address the root cause of the connection issue before implementing more complex solutions.
Expert view

Expert from Spamresource responds that reducing the number of concurrent connections is the primary solution. Ensure your sending infrastructure respects connection limits imposed by receiving mail servers like Hotmail.

June 2022 - Spamresource
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise explains that increasing IPs without addressing the underlying connection issue can lead to snowshoeing, which is detrimental to sender reputation.

July 2022 - Word to the Wise
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks responds that expanding the number of IP addresses is not generally recommended, particularly for a sender that seems to be this naive. It can cause more problems if you don't know what you're doing and seems risky given the circumstances.

May 2022 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks explains that the sender is opening too many SMTP connections to Hotmail and needs to throttle their sending.

February 2024 - Email Geeks

What the documentation says
4Technical articles

Documentation sources consistently indicate that Hotmail error 451 4.7.652 arises from exceeding connection limits. The recommended solutions involve reducing concurrent connections, spreading sending over a longer period, implementing retry logic with exponential backoff to handle transient failures, and adjusting connection rate limits on the sending server.

Key findings

  • Connection Limits: The error indicates exceeding connection limits to Outlook.com/Hotmail.
  • Reduce Connections: Reduce concurrent connections to avoid exceeding limits.
  • Retry Logic: Implement retry logic with exponential backoff for transient failures.
  • Rate Limiting: Adjust connection rate limits on the sending server.

Key considerations

  • Transient Nature: Recognize that 4xx errors can be transient and require retry mechanisms.
  • Server Load: Understand that SMTP servers throttle connections to manage server load.
Technical article

Documentation from RFC Editor suggests that SMTP servers may temporarily throttle connections to manage server load. Clients should implement retry mechanisms.

November 2024 - RFC-Editor.org
Technical article

Documentation from Microsoft Docs explains that error 451 4.7.652 indicates the sending IP has exceeded connection limits to Outlook.com/Hotmail. Reduce concurrent connections or spread sending over a longer period.

April 2024 - Microsoft Docs
Technical article

Documentation from SparkPost explains that 4xx errors are transient failures, and in this case, Hotmail/Outlook.com is temporarily refusing connections due to excessive connection attempts. Implement retry logic with exponential backoff.

June 2021 - SparkPost
Technical article

Documentation from Postfix.org explains the 'smtpd_client_connection_rate_limit' parameter, used to limit the number of connection attempts from a single IP address per unit time. Reducing this on the sending server may help.

April 2022 - Postfix.org