How to resolve SMTP 421 errors with Web.de and GMX.net due to rate limiting?

Summary

To resolve SMTP 421 errors with Web.de and GMX.net due to rate limiting, several key strategies emerge. Initial actions include reducing sending volume and retrying later, contacting the recipient's support, and checking server logs for details. Long-term, focus on building and maintaining a strong sending reputation. This involves warming up IPs and domains gradually, implementing strict email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) especially alignment for picky German ISPs, ensuring a valid PTR record, avoiding blacklists, and actively managing sender reputation. Vary sending patterns, segment lists, and personalize messages for improved engagement. Address temporary throttling by reducing volume and retrying, and be aware that some providers count retries toward rate limits.

Key findings

  • Reputation is Key: A strong sending reputation is paramount for avoiding rate limits and ensuring deliverability, achieved through various methods.
  • Authentication is Crucial: Proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is essential, with specific alignment requirements for German ISPs like Web.de and GMX.net.
  • Warm-up is Important: Gradually warming up IPs and domains establishes a positive sending reputation.
  • Throttling Indication: SMTP 421 errors indicate throttling, requiring immediate reduction in sending volume.
  • Technical Compliance Needed: Meeting technical compliance, including a valid PTR record and proper rDNS configuration, is important for German ISPs.

Key considerations

  • Reduce Volume & Retry: Immediately reduce sending volume and retry delivery later.
  • Implement Authentication: Implement and verify correct SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records, paying attention to alignment requirements.
  • Gradual Warm-up: If working with new IPs or domains, follow a gradual warm-up strategy.
  • Monitor Reputation: Continuously monitor sender reputation, blacklist status, and feedback loops.
  • Check Server Logs: Review mail server logs for detailed error messages.
  • Ensure Technical Compliance: Ensure a valid PTR record and proper rDNS configuration.

What email marketers say
11Marketer opinions

To resolve SMTP 421 errors with Web.de and GMX.net due to rate limiting, several strategies are recommended. Initially, reduce sending volume and retry delivery later. Actively monitor and maintain a good sending reputation by warming IPs, authenticating emails with SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, and avoiding blacklists. Vary sending patterns, segment email lists, and personalize messages to improve engagement. Contact the recipient's email provider or postmaster team for assistance, checking mail server logs for detailed error messages, and implementing retry logic in sending applications. Ensure the sending server has a valid PTR record. Address IP reputation by using reputable platforms and managing sender reputation effectively.

Key opinions

  • Rate Limiting Trigger: SMTP 421 errors are often triggered by rate limiting, a mechanism used to prevent spam and abuse.
  • Reputation Matters: Maintaining a good IP and domain reputation is crucial for avoiding rate limits and ensuring deliverability.
  • Authentication is Key: Proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is essential for improving sender reputation and deliverability.
  • Warming Up: Warming up IPs and domains gradually helps establish a positive sending reputation with recipient mail servers.
  • Contact Support: Contacting the recipient's email provider or their support team can provide specific insights and assistance.

Key considerations

  • Reduce Sending Volume: Initially reduce sending volume and retry after some time.
  • Check Logs: Check mail server logs for detailed error messages to diagnose the issue.
  • Valid PTR Record: Ensure the sending server has a valid PTR record for reverse DNS lookup.
  • Monitor Reputation: Monitor sender reputation, blacklist status, and feedback loops to address issues proactively.
  • Varied Sending: Vary sending patterns to avoid triggering rate limits, segment email lists and personalize messages
Marketer view

Email marketer from SparkPost recommends checking your sending volume and reputation. If your volume is high and your reputation is low, you could hit rate limits. Additionally, they advise contacting the recipient's email provider for assistance.

December 2024 - SparkPost
Marketer view

Email marketer from StackOverflow recommends checking your mail server logs for more detailed error messages. Implement retry logic in your sending application to automatically resend emails after a delay. Contact the recipient's mail server administrator to inquire about their rate limits.

April 2022 - Stack Overflow
Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailToolTester advises segmenting email lists and personalizing messages. Sending targeted content to engaged subscribers increases open rates and click-through rates, which improves sender reputation and deliverability.

August 2022 - EmailToolTester
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks shares that they are getting SMTP status 421 temp fails from Web.de and GMX.net, pointing to rate limiting. They have reduced sending to 5 per minute, contacted them, and are considering stopping sending and re-warming up. They have since created a ticket with Mailgun and Web/GMX pointed to look into IPs

January 2025 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Mailjet suggests that rate limits are usually in place to prevent spam and abuse. They suggest monitoring your sending reputation, authenticating your emails and warming your IP address as the best practice.

July 2023 - Mailjet
Marketer view

Email marketer from GMX advises that if you are receiving 421 errors due to rate limiting, reduce the number of emails sent within a specific timeframe. If you continue to experience issues, contact their support team for assistance.

June 2021 - GMX
Marketer view

Email marketer from Web.de suggests ensuring your sending server has a valid PTR record. They also recommend following best practices for email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC). If problems persist, their postmaster team should be contacted.

May 2022 - Web.de
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit recommends gradually increasing sending volumes when warming up new IPs or domains. Start with low volumes and steadily increase over time, monitoring deliverability and engagement metrics.

February 2023 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit suggests warming up IPs. Implement proper authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC). Ensure your sending domain has a clean reputation. Monitor bounce rates and feedback loops. Throttle sending volume, especially to new domains.

July 2021 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from ServerFault suggests ensuring your server's IP address has a good reputation and is not blacklisted. Also, check your reverse DNS records and ensure they are properly configured. Try varying your sending patterns to avoid triggering rate limits.

May 2022 - ServerFault
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Marketing Forum highlights the importance of maintaining a good IP reputation. They suggest using reputable sending platforms, monitoring blacklists, and actively managing sender reputation.

September 2023 - Email Marketing Forum

What the experts say
3Expert opinions

To resolve SMTP 421 errors, especially with picky German providers like Web.de and GMX.net, prioritize technical excellence and reputation. Ensure stringent email authentication alignment, including DMARC, and correct reverse DNS (rDNS). Implement a gradual warm-up process, reducing sending volume initially and increasing slowly. Monitor sender scores, handle complaints promptly, and adhere to email best practices to build trust with ISPs. Understand that these providers may count retries in rate-limiting calculations. Throttling indicates a need for reduced volume and a later retry.

Key opinions

  • German Provider Specifics: Web.de and GMX.net are technically demanding and require strict email authentication alignment.
  • Throttling Indicator: SMTP 421 errors indicate throttling, requiring reduced sending volume.
  • Reputation Importance: Maintaining a good sending reputation is crucial for avoiding deliverability issues.

Key considerations

  • Technical Excellence: Ensure stringent technical setup, including authentication alignment and rDNS configuration.
  • Warm-Up Strategy: Implement a gradual warm-up process with reduced initial sending volumes.
  • Reputation Management: Monitor sender scores, handle complaints promptly, and adhere to email best practices.
  • Retry Handling: Understand that retries might be counted towards rate limits.
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise explains the importance of maintaining a good sending reputation to prevent deliverability issues. Monitoring sender scores, promptly addressing complaints, and adhering to email best practices are crucial for building trust with ISPs.

March 2024 - Word to the Wise
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks explains that one of the German companies is particular about authentication aligning and technical aspects like rDNS. Stopping sending and slowly warming up the list is likely the fastest resolution. They are also SERIOUS about getting the technical bits right. They will also count their own retries when rate limiting. Furthermore, <http://web.de|web.de> and associated domains are picky and insist on DMARC style alignment for delivery.

March 2022 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Spamresource.com explains that throttling is a temporary delay in message delivery applied by the receiving server, often indicated by a 4xx SMTP response code. The sender should reduce sending volume and retry delivery later.

October 2024 - Spamresource.com

What the documentation says
4Technical articles

SMTP 421 errors indicate a temporary server issue, often due to rate limiting or unavailability of the recipient server. Documentation recommends waiting and retrying later, reviewing sending patterns, and ensuring compliance with the recipient's policies. Implementing email authentication standards like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC is also crucial for improving deliverability and avoiding spam flags.

Key findings

  • Temporary Server Issue: SMTP 421 errors signify a temporary issue with the recipient server.
  • Rate Limiting: Exchange Online and other systems implement rate limiting to protect their services.
  • Retry Recommended: Waiting and retrying the command later is generally advised.
  • Authentication Importance: Email authentication standards like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are critical for deliverability.

Key considerations

  • Wait and Retry: Implement logic to wait and retry sending the email later.
  • Review Sending Patterns: Review sending patterns to ensure compliance with recipient's policies and avoid triggering rate limits.
  • Implement Authentication: Implement and maintain SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records for your sending domain.
  • Check Compliance: Ensure compliance with the recipient's specific sending policies, if available.
Technical article

Documentation from Sendgrid provides an in-depth guide on email authentication standards such as SPF, DKIM, and DMARC. They emphasize the importance of implementing these measures to improve email deliverability and reduce the risk of being flagged as spam.

May 2021 - Sendgrid
Technical article

Documentation from RFC Editor states that a 421 SMTP error code indicates the service is not available and the connection will be closed. The server knows a condition that will improve if the command is repeated. The client is advised to try again later.

October 2021 - RFC 5321
Technical article

Documentation from Microsoft explains that Exchange Online implements rate limiting to protect the service. If you exceed these limits, you may receive temporary errors. They advise reviewing your sending patterns and ensuring compliance with their sending policies.

January 2025 - Microsoft Learn
Technical article

Documentation from IONOS explains that SMTP error 421 signifies a temporary server issue, suggesting the recipient server is unavailable. They recommend waiting and retrying later, as the server might be overloaded or undergoing maintenance.

May 2024 - IONOS