Surely, one of the more humiliating experiences in Hostinger is the dreaded “undelivered mail goes back to sender”?
It’s super frustrating, right?
Whether it’s a personal email or an important work message, it feels like hitting a wall when your email doesn’t go through.
This problem is pretty widespread in Hostinger users, and could occur for many reasons.
Not always is it a silly mistake in an email configuration, a headache with your domain configuration, or a mysterious situation on the server side.
But don’t worry!
In this guide, we’re going to explore why your emails might be returning to your inbox, list some simple things to try to solve the trouble, and guide you along the way to fix this issue, so your emails will go where they are going without headache.
Let’s get started!
Why Your Mail Isn’t Getting Delivered (And What You Can Do About It)
Ever sent an email and wondered why it never reached the other side?
It can be super frustrating when important messages don’t make it.
Whether you’re dealing with email or good old-fashioned snail mail, undelivered mail can cause a lot of headaches.
Let’s break down the common reasons behind this problem—and how you can avoid them.
1. Incorrect Email Addresses
This one’s more common than you think!
Even the smallest error in an email address—the absence of a letter, a dot—that disappears an email into the black hole.
Never forget to verify the address before press “Send”, it is a minor action, but it could be a saving grace from a great deal of trouble.
2. Blocked or Blacklisted IPs
Sometimes, your email gets flagged because your IP address (the digital “home” of your email) is on a spam list.
At that moment, the mail server of the recipient will not allow the mail to pass.
To avoid this, ensure your email practices are clean—don’t spam, and use tools to check your IP status.
3. Large File Attachments
Did you attach a massive file?
Due to limits of email servers, size of attachment exceeding a limit can’t be processed.
If your file is a file too large, the email will bounce right away.
The fix? For those giant files, file-sharing services such as Google Drive or Dropbox are a good option.
4. Server Issues or Downtime
Sometimes, the issue isn’t you—it’s the email servers.
If, either, either your email provider, or the recipients server is down or having problems, your message may not make it through.
Issues with settings such as SPF and DKIM can also cause problems.
Patience (and occasionally a desperate phone call to tech support) is essential for this.
With a current list of the common offenders in mind, you are now better positioned to identify, diagnose, and correct delivery failures.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
Let’s face it—seeing that dreaded “Hostinger undelivered mail returned to sender” message can be super frustrating.
But don’t worry! By following a few simple steps, you can get to the bottom of the problem and fix it quickly.
Here’s a straightforward guide to help you troubleshoot and solve the most common causes of undelivered emails.
1. Double-Check the Email Address
Avoiding Mistakes in the Recipient’s Email
Seeing as how many of the emails bounce back is due to the incorrect design of the email address.
It’s easy to make small mistakes like leaving out a letter, adding an extra dot, or even using the wrong domain (e.g., typing .com instead of .net).
What You Can Do:
Carefully check the email address before hitting send.
When possible, please paste/copy the address from a trusted source or ask the recipient to confirm it.
Pro Tip: It takes just a few seconds to re-verify, but it saves you from future pains!
2. Read the Bounce-Back Message
What the Error Codes Mean
If an email does not send you’ll typically receive a bounce-back message.
There are messages associated with an error code that indicate what has failed.
Common Error Codes:
4xx Codes: These are temporary problems, like “421 Service not available.
Try resending the email after a little while; the issue might fix itself.
5xx Codes: These are permanent errors, such as “550 Mailbox unavailable.
This might mean the email address is invalid or blocked.
Pro Tip: Learn the following error codes, as it will help you understand quickly what is wrong and effectively determine how to correct it.
3. Check Server Settings
Are Your DNS and MX Records Set Up Correctly?
Emails require the correct server settings, namely DNS and MX (Mail Exchange) records, to deliver to their intended recipient.
If these are not properly configured, your emails may not get there.
Steps to Verify:
Employ tools such as MXToolbox or DNS Checker to verify your domain’s MX records.
Make sure your DNS settings match Hostinger’s recommendations.
Pro Tip: If you’ve recently switched hosting providers or updated domain settings, give it some time—DNS changes can take a few hours to fully update.
4. Look at Attachment Sizes
Are Your Files Too Large?
Most email providers will have size restrictions (typically 25 MB) in attachments.
If the email exceeds this limit, it won’t be processed.
How to Fix It:
Compress files (e.g., using tools such as ZIP compression) or resize large images.
Alternatively, throw large files onto the internet with cloud storage like Google Drive or Dropbox, and just give the link.
Pro Tip: Every time a file transfer is made, also check file size not to cause unnecessary bounces.
5. Check Your IP Address
Is Your IP Blacklisted?
If your IP address is blacklisted, your emails might not be delivered.
It can also occur when your IP has been marked as sending spam or other suspicious activity.
What You Can Do:
Employ tools such as MXToolbox or MultiRBL.valli.org to verify if your IP is in any blacklists.
If blacklisted, follow the removal process provided by the blacklist service.
Pro Tip: Watch your IP and do not spam to avoid blacklisting implications in the future.
5. Check Your IP Address
Is Your IP Blacklisted?
If your IP address is blacklisted, your emails might not be delivered. It can also occur when your IP has been marked as sending spam or other suspicious activity.
What You Can Do:
Employ tools such as MXToolbox or MultiRBL.valli.org to verify if your IP is in any blacklists.
If blacklisted, follow the removal process provided by the blacklist service.
Pro Tip: Watch your IP and do not spam to avoid blacklisting implications in the future.
Conclusion
The “Hostinger undelivered mail returned to sender” problem can be an annoyance, but it is also resolvable with the right technique.
By identifying common causes and troubleshooting step by step, you can quickly resolve the problem.
Steps, such as refreshing your contact list, utilizing Hostinger’s optimization tools, and validating DNS setup, can help optimize email deliverability and avoid problems down the line.
These strategies not only make email communication smoother but also boost your confidence in managing your email system effectively.
