What causes the bounce code 4.7.0 'Too many concurrent connections' and how can it be resolved?

Summary

The bounce code 4.7.0, indicating 'Too many concurrent connections', typically arises from exceeding connection limits or being rate-limited by the receiving server, often as a protective measure against spam or DoS attacks. This issue can be exacerbated by the use of shared IPs. Solutions include contacting your ESP to adjust connection limits, transitioning to a dedicated IP, warming up new IPs, managing sending rates, reviewing server settings, ensuring a positive sender reputation, and analyzing server logs. The error signals a temporary delivery deferral, suggesting the email may be accepted later.

Key findings

  • Cause: Exceeding connection limits or rate limiting by the receiving server.
  • Shared IPs: Shared IP addresses increase the likelihood of encountering connection limits.
  • Temporary: The 4.7.0 error indicates a temporary issue; delivery is deferred, not failed.
  • Security: Connection limits protect against spam and denial-of-service attacks.
  • ESP Role: ESPs may need to adjust connection limits on shared infrastructure.

Key considerations

  • Contact ESP: Contact your Email Service Provider (ESP) to investigate and adjust connection limits.
  • Dedicated IP: Consider switching to a dedicated IP address for greater control and fewer restrictions.
  • IP Warm-up: Properly warm up new IPs to avoid triggering rate limits.
  • Sending Rate: Manage sending rates to avoid overwhelming receiving servers.
  • Server Settings: Review server settings to ensure compliance with receiving server limits.
  • Reputation: Maintain a good sender reputation to minimize the chance of being throttled.
  • Log Analysis: Analyze email headers and server logs to diagnose the specific cause of the error.

What email marketers say
13Marketer opinions

The 4.7.0 'Too many concurrent connections' bounce code arises primarily from exceeding connection limits or being rate-limited by receiving mail servers, often as an anti-spam measure. This can occur due to high email volumes, shared IP resources, or temporary server unavailability. Resolutions involve contacting the ESP for connection limit adjustments, migrating to a dedicated IP, warming up new IPs, spacing out email sends, reviewing server settings and logs, and ensuring a good sender reputation.

Key opinions

  • Root Cause: Exceeding connection limits or rate-limiting by the receiving server.
  • Shared IP Issues: Shared IPs are more prone to this error due to shared resource constraints.
  • Temporary Nature: The error is often temporary, with emails eventually being delivered.
  • High Volume Sending: Sending a high volume of emails in a short period can trigger this error.
  • Delivery Deferred: 4.7.0 means 'Delivery temporarily deferred.' The sending server will try again later.

Key considerations

  • Contact ESP: Contact your Email Service Provider (ESP) for connection limit adjustments.
  • Dedicated IP: Consider moving to a dedicated IP address to avoid shared resource limitations.
  • IP Warm-up: Properly warm up new IPs to avoid being flagged for high connection rates.
  • Sending Practices: Space out email sends and adhere to sending best practices.
  • Server Settings: Review your server settings to ensure you are within the receiving server's limits.
  • Sender Reputation: Maintain a good sender reputation to avoid being blocked or rate-limited.
  • Log Analysis: Review email headers and server logs to diagnose the root cause.
Marketer view

Email marketer from MailPoet explains that shared SMTP servers often have connection limits, leading to 4.7.0 errors. Switching to a dedicated SMTP server or using a different port may alleviate this.

October 2021 - MailPoet
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks shares that too many connections could be due to either the receiving mail server having a fixed limit or making decisions based on reputation. Only MailGun can change the connection limit, and it is a temporary failure so will likely eventually deliver.

December 2021 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from dba.stackexchange details the importance of reviewing server settings to ensure you are within the receiving server's connection limits to prevent 4.7.0 errors.

July 2024 - dba.stackexchange
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit explains that encountering 4.7.0 errors can be frustrating, but it often resolves itself after a short period, as it's a temporary issue. If it persists, it might indicate a problem with the sender's IP reputation or sending practices.

February 2024 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from MXToolbox details the necessity of reviewing email headers and server logs can assist in diagnosing the root cause of 4.7.0 errors and identifying which server is imposing the connection limit.

July 2024 - MXToolbox
Marketer view

Email marketer from Super User responds that 4.7.0 errors are commonly caused by exceeding connection limits or being rate-limited by the receiving server. This is a protective measure against spam and abuse.

March 2022 - Super User
Marketer view

Email marketer from SendPulse explains that to fix a 4.7.0 error, try reducing the number of emails you send at once, spacing out the emails over a longer period. Also, check your sending IP address isn't blacklisted, or has a good sender reputation.

May 2023 - SendPulse
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email on Acid shares that properly warming up new IPs and adhering to sending best practices helps avoid being flagged for sending too many concurrent connections, reducing the likelihood of 4.7.0 errors.

August 2022 - Email on Acid
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Marketing Guide explains that the bounce code 4.7.0 means 'Delivery temporarily deferred.' This typically means that the sending server has tried to deliver an email, but the receiving server is currently unavailable or too busy to accept it. It is usually a temporary issue, and the sending server will try again later.

July 2023 - Email Marketing Guide
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks advises to contact Mailgun to make an adjustment, but to know that since it’s a shared pool it won’t consistently be an issue.

April 2021 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks states that moving to a dedicated IP will prevent resource/connection sharing and should resolve the issue.

June 2023 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks offers support to make adjustments and suggests creating a ticket to resolve the issues.

September 2024 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Stack Overflow mentions that a 4.7.0 error often indicates the sending server is attempting to make too many connections to the receiving server at once. This could be due to a high volume of emails being sent in a short period.

January 2022 - Stack Overflow

What the experts say
4Expert opinions

The 4.7.0 error typically arises from the receiving mail server throttling connections or reaching concurrent connection limits. Shared IPs are a contributing factor and often the onus is on the ESP (like Mailgun) to configure connection limits. The error is a temporary 4xx class error, meaning the email might be accepted in the future.

Key opinions

  • Throttling: Receiving mail servers often throttle connections to protect their infrastructure.
  • Shared IPs: Shared IP addresses can contribute to hitting connection limits.
  • ESP Responsibility: ESPs like Mailgun often need to adjust connection limits on their end.
  • Temporary Error: 4xx errors signify a temporary issue; the email may be delivered later.

Key considerations

  • Contact ESP: Engage with your ESP to check and adjust connection limits.
  • Shared IP Impact: Be aware that shared IP reputation and limitations can trigger this error.
  • Retry Delivery: Understand that the email will likely be retried automatically.
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise explains that 4xx errors means that there was a temporary error when sending the message. The message was not accepted at that time, but may be accepted in the future. This is different than a 5xx error, where you'd need to modify the email before resending it.

April 2024 - Word to the Wise
Expert view

Expert from Spam Resource explains that 4.7.0 errors are often due to throttling by the receiving mail server. This is a deliberate mechanism to limit the rate of incoming connections and messages from a particular sender or IP address to protect their infrastructure.

November 2022 - Spam Resource
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks responds that the issue could be due to a poor-quality shared IP, however, it's likely on Mailgun to adjust the connection limits, particularly if it's a shared IP.

May 2024 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks explains unless Mailgun gives a way to set up connection limits, this is on them to configure.

January 2023 - Email Geeks

What the documentation says
4Technical articles

The 4.7.0 bounce code is generally caused by the receiving server's inability to handle the volume of connections, often due to temporary busyness, rate limiting, or anti-spam measures. These limits are deliberately put in place to protect against denial of service and spam attacks. Managing the number of concurrent connections and adjusting sending rates can help to prevent these errors, especially in systems like Postfix.

Key findings

  • Temporary Issue: The error often indicates a temporary problem with the receiving server.
  • Rate Limiting: Rate limiting and anti-spam measures can trigger the 4.7.0 error.
  • DoS Protection: Connection limits are in place to protect against denial of service attacks.
  • Simultaneous Connections: Exceeding the allowed number of simultaneous connections can cause the error.

Key considerations

  • Connection Management: Manage concurrent connections and sending rates to avoid triggering the error.
  • Server Configuration: Adjust server settings (e.g., in Postfix) related to connection rates.
  • Anti-Spam Policies: Understand that receiving servers have policies to protect against spam.
Technical article

Documentation from Microsoft Learn explains that the 4.7.0 error typically indicates a temporary issue with the receiving server, such as being too busy to handle the connection. It can also arise from rate limiting or other anti-spam measures.

April 2022 - Microsoft Learn
Technical article

Documentation from Cisco.com details that concurrent connection limits are put in place to protect against denial of service or SPAM attacks. These limits can cause 4.7.0 errors if they are reached.

May 2022 - Cisco.com
Technical article

Documentation from Exim Wiki suggests 4.7.0 errors can stem from exceeding connection rate limits or the number of allowed simultaneous connections by the recipient server.

August 2022 - Exim Wiki
Technical article

Documentation from Postfix.org explains managing the number of concurrent connections and adjusting settings related to connection rates can prevent 4.7.0 errors when using Postfix.

December 2023 - Postfix.org