5.4 6 hop count exceeded possible mail loop
A classic error!
The error message "5.4 6 Hop count exceeded, possible mail loop" is an SMTP error that occurs when a mail server detects that an email is stuck in a loop, trying to deliver itself repeatedly.
Here's a breakdown of the error:
- "5.4" is the SMTP error code, which indicates a "Mail system" error.
- "6" is the specific error code, which indicates that the hop count has exceeded the maximum allowed value.
The "hop count" refers to the number of times an email is relayed from one mail server to another as it travels from the sender to the recipient. Each time an email is relayed, it increments the hop count. The maximum allowed hop count is typically set to 30, which means that an email can be relayed up to 30 times before it's considered stuck in a loop.
When a mail server detects that an email has exceeded the maximum hop count, it will return an error message to the sender, indicating that the email cannot be delivered.
Common causes of this error include:
- Mail loops: When an email is sent to a recipient who is also a sender, creating a loop where the email is sent back and forth repeatedly.
- Misconfigured mail servers: When a mail server is not properly configured, it may not be able to deliver emails correctly, causing them to loop back to the sender.
- Spam or phishing attempts: Malicious senders may try to exploit mail loops to deliver spam or phishing emails.
To resolve this error, you may need to:
- Check your email configuration: Verify that your email settings are correct and that your mail server is properly configured.
- Contact your email provider: Reach out to your email provider's support team to report the issue and ask for assistance in resolving it.
- Check for mail loops: Use tools like Mail-Abuse or SpamAssassin to detect and block mail loops.