Why are emails to Orange.fr failing and what can I do about it?

Summary

Deliverability issues to Orange.fr are multifaceted, arising from Orange.fr's aggressive spam filtering, temporary platform incidents, strict email policies, and sender-related issues. Key problems include poor sender reputation, triggered spam filters, lack of email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), shared IP addresses with bad reputations, and list hygiene. Resolutions involve monitoring and improving sender reputation, implementing email authentication, using DMARC, maintaining clean email lists, conducting deliverability tests, warming up IPs, and contacting Orange.fr support when needed. 421 errors typically indicate temporary blocking, but persistent problems suggest more significant underlying causes.

Key findings

  • Platform Issues: Temporary platform incidents at Orange.fr can disrupt email delivery.
  • Aggressive Spam Filters: Orange.fr uses stringent spam filters to block unwanted emails.
  • Email Authentication: Lack of proper SPF, DKIM, and DMARC causes deliverability failures.
  • Sender Reputation: Poor sender reputation results in emails being blocked or filtered as spam.
  • List Hygiene: Poor list hygiene with unengaged subscribers negatively affects deliverability.
  • 421 Errors: 421 error codes usually indicate a temporary block due to suspicious activity.
  • Shared IPs: Shared IP addresses can have a negative impact on sender reputation.

Key considerations

  • Monitor Reputation: Continuously monitor sender reputation for problems.
  • Implement Authentication: Implement and maintain SPF, DKIM, and DMARC.
  • Clean Lists: Regularly clean email lists to improve engagement and remove invalid addresses.
  • Perform Testing: Conduct deliverability tests to discover underlying issues.
  • Warm IPs: Warm new IP addresses appropriately before commencing regular sends.
  • Check Guidelines: Check and comply with Orange.fr's postmaster guidelines.
  • Contact Support: Contact Orange.fr support for resolving persistent issues.

What email marketers say
12Marketer opinions

Deliverability issues to Orange.fr can stem from various factors, including temporary platform incidents, strict spam filtering, and changes in email policies. Common causes include poor sender reputation, spam-triggering content, and lack of proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC). Solutions involve monitoring and improving sender reputation, implementing email authentication, cleaning email lists, conducting deliverability tests, and contacting Orange.fr support when necessary. 421 error codes often indicate temporary blocking due to suspicious activity.

Key opinions

  • Platform Incidents: Temporary incidents on Orange.fr's platform can cause widespread delivery issues.
  • Strict Spam Filtering: Orange.fr employs strict spam filters that can block emails based on content and sender reputation.
  • Email Authentication: Lack of proper SPF, DKIM, and DMARC authentication can lead to deliverability problems.
  • 421 Error Code: Receiving a 421 error code when sending to Orange.fr often means you have been temporarily blocked.
  • Shared IP Reputation: Shared IP addresses with negative reputation may impact deliverability.

Key considerations

  • Monitor Sender Reputation: Regularly monitor your sender reputation to identify and address any issues that could affect deliverability.
  • Implement Email Authentication: Ensure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are properly configured and up to date.
  • Clean Email Lists: Maintain a clean email list by removing inactive or unengaged subscribers.
  • Conduct Deliverability Tests: Perform deliverability tests to identify potential issues with your email content or sending infrastructure.
  • Contact Orange.fr Support: Contact Orange.fr support for assistance with resolving persistent deliverability issues.
  • Warming IP Addresses: Warm up new IP addresses before beginning regular mailing to orange.fr
Marketer view

Email marketer from Sendinblue explains that maintaining a clean email list, engaging subscribers, and authenticating emails are crucial for deliverability across all email providers, including Orange.fr. They recommend regularly cleaning inactive subscribers and segmenting your audience for targeted campaigns.

March 2022 - Sendinblue
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit suggests that issues with Orange.fr could stem from their strict spam filters or changes in their email policies, advising senders to check their sender reputation and ensure their emails comply with Orange.fr's requirements.

March 2022 - Reddit
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks shares that receiving OFR_108 is likely and pausing queues for orange.fr/wanadoo.fr would help resolve the issue faster. Also shares that Orange considers the issue stable and invites senders to resume gradually.

March 2024 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from StackOverflow shares that 421 error codes when sending to Orange.fr indicates they have detected suspicious behaviour from your mail server and have temporarily blocked you, and that you need to contact their support to be taken off their blacklist.

September 2024 - StackOverflow
Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailOctopus Blog explains that deliverability issues with Orange.fr could arise from various factors, including sender reputation, email content triggering spam filters, or Orange.fr's specific email policies. They recommend warming up your IP address, authenticating your email (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), and monitoring your sender reputation.

July 2022 - EmailOctopus Blog
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks confirms seeing the delivery issues with Orange.fr, noting different responses but clearly unresolved.

May 2021 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks agrees with Benjamin's recommendation.

February 2022 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks shares that there is an incident on Orange's platform causing email delivery issues.

December 2024 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit shares that common issues can be caused by shared IP addresses that have a negative impact on reputation as it can affect your ability to land emails in the inbox of providers such as orange.fr

March 2023 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from Litmus explains that proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is crucial for establishing trust with email providers like Orange.fr. They recommend regularly checking your authentication records to ensure they are configured correctly and up to date.

November 2021 - Litmus
Marketer view

Email marketer from GlockApps shares that deliverability problems with Orange.fr can be diagnosed by conducting deliverability tests to identify if emails are being blocked or filtered as spam. These tests can highlight issues with sender reputation, authentication, or email content.

January 2023 - GlockApps
Marketer view

Email marketer from Mailjet explains that to improve deliverability to Orange.fr, senders should focus on email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), maintaining a clean email list, and avoiding spam triggers in their email content. They also suggest monitoring bounce rates and feedback loops to identify and address any deliverability issues promptly.

April 2024 - Mailjet

What the experts say
2Expert opinions

Deliverability issues to Orange.fr are frequently caused by their aggressive spam filtering. Experts recommend proper configuration of SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, close monitoring of sender reputation, and proactive list hygiene to maintain high engagement. Given the unpredictable nature of Orange.fr's filtering, contacting their support may be required in some instances. Maintaining a clean email list is crucial as Orange.fr, like other ISPs, factors in engagement metrics when assessing deliverability.

Key opinions

  • Aggressive Spam Filtering: Orange.fr employs aggressive spam filtering techniques.
  • Importance of Authentication: Proper configuration of SPF, DKIM, and DMARC is essential.
  • Engagement Metrics Matter: Orange.fr considers engagement metrics like opens and clicks when determining deliverability.
  • List Hygiene is Critical: Inactive or unengaged subscribers negatively impact deliverability.
  • Support May Be Needed: Contacting Orange.fr support may be necessary in some cases due to unpredictable filtering.

Key considerations

  • Check Authentication: Verify and maintain proper SPF, DKIM, and DMARC settings.
  • Monitor Reputation: Consistently monitor your sender reputation using available tools.
  • Cleanse Your List: Regularly remove unengaged subscribers to maintain high engagement rates.
  • Engage Subscribers: Create engaging content to keep subscribers active and reduce spam complaints.
  • Contact Support: Be prepared to contact Orange.fr support for issue resolution when needed.
Expert view

Expert from Spam Resource explains that deliverability issues with Orange.fr can often be attributed to Orange.fr's aggressive spam filtering. He suggests ensuring your sending infrastructure is properly configured with SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, and to monitor your sender reputation closely. He also mentioned that Orange.fr's filtering can be unpredictable, and sometimes contacting their support is necessary.

February 2023 - Spam Resource
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise shares insights into deliverability problems often stemming from list hygiene and engagement. She recommends regularly cleaning your email list to remove inactive or unengaged subscribers, as Orange.fr, like many ISPs, considers engagement metrics when determining deliverability. Poor list hygiene can lead to higher bounce rates and spam complaints, negatively impacting your sender reputation.

March 2023 - Word to the Wise

What the documentation says
4Technical articles

Deliverability issues to Orange.fr can arise from several factors, including temporary server issues indicated by 421 error codes, aggressive spam filtering as per Orange.fr's policies, and inadequate email authentication measures. Implementing DMARC helps protect against spoofing and phishing, thus improving deliverability. Tools like Microsoft's SNDS and JMRP can aid in monitoring sender reputation and identifying spam complaints.

Key findings

  • 421 Error Codes: 421 errors signify temporary server issues; persistent problems suggest deeper issues.
  • Spam Filtering Policies: Orange.fr's spam filtering policies block emails perceived as spam.
  • DMARC Implementation: DMARC protects against domain spoofing and phishing attacks, improving deliverability.
  • Monitoring Tools: Tools like SNDS and JMRP can monitor sender reputation and spam complaints.

Key considerations

  • Retry on 421 Errors: Retry sending emails after receiving 421 errors, but investigate persistent issues.
  • Adhere to Best Practices: Comply with industry best practices for email authentication and content.
  • Implement DMARC: Implement DMARC to protect your domain and enhance deliverability.
  • Utilize Monitoring Tools: Use tools like SNDS and JMRP to track your sending reputation and address spam complaints.
  • Check Postmaster Guidelines: Review Orange.fr's postmaster guidelines for specific requirements.
Technical article

Documentation from RFC Editor explains that the 421 error code (often seen with Orange.fr) indicates a temporary server issue, such as service refusal. Senders should retry sending later, but persistent issues might indicate problems with sender reputation or email content.

March 2023 - RFC Editor
Technical article

Documentation from DMARC.org explains that implementing DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance) helps email senders protect their domain from spoofing and phishing attacks, which can improve deliverability to Orange.fr and other ISPs. DMARC allows senders to specify how receivers should handle emails that fail authentication checks.

June 2023 - DMARC.org
Technical article

Documentation from Microsoft explains that you can use their Smart Network Data Services (SNDS) to monitor the health and reputation of your sending IP addresses, and use the Junk Email Reporting Program (JMRP) to receive reports when their users mark your email as junk. Even though this is for Microsoft, it is an industry standard which all providers follow.

May 2023 - Microsoft
Technical article

Documentation from Orange.fr's help pages answers question about their email policies often block emails due to spam filtering. They advise senders to comply with industry best practices, including email authentication and avoiding spam-like content, and encourages checking their postmaster guidelines for detailed requirements.

March 2025 - Orange.fr