send-test.emailFAQ
Practical answers about delivery, SMTP, DNS and spam filters.
What does an email delivery test check?
It sends a real message to the address you choose. The report shows sending and delivery events, with SMTP status codes and server responses when available. It is useful for checking a new mail server or troubleshooting a mailbox.
Does delivered mean the email is in the inbox?
Delivered means the recipient server accepted the message. The server can still route it to spam or another folder. Open the mailbox to check where it arrived.
Why is my email not arriving?
Start with the report, then check the inbox, spam, quarantine and forwarding rules. Confirm the exact recipient address and domain MX records. An accepted sending request is not proof of delivery: wait for a delivery event or inspect the receiving server logs.
Why does an email go to spam?
Spam filters consider sender reputation, authentication, message content and local rules. A server can accept a message and still file it as junk. Use the received message headers and the receiving system’s spam score to investigate; this tool cannot guarantee inbox placement.
What do SMTP codes 250, 421, 450 and 550 mean?
250 usually means a command succeeded; after message transfer it indicates server acceptance. 421 often means a temporary service problem, 450 a temporary mailbox issue, and 550 a permanent rejection such as an unknown recipient or policy restriction. Always read the full response and enhanced status code: wording and causes vary by server.
What is the difference between a soft bounce and a hard bounce?
A soft bounce is a temporary failure, such as a busy server, rate limit or full mailbox. A hard bounce indicates a permanent failure, such as an invalid recipient or rejected destination. Temporary attempts may be retried, but can eventually become a final failure.
How do MX records affect incoming email?
MX records tell senders which servers receive mail for a domain. Check the hostname, priority and the target’s A or AAAA records. A correct website DNS record does not prove mail is configured. After a DNS change, cached records may remain in use until their TTL expires.
Can I check SPF, DKIM and DMARC?
Open the original headers of the received test email and look for Authentication-Results. These headers describe the authentication checks performed by the receiving server. These checks apply to the test message’s sender, not your own domain’s outgoing configuration. A delivery status alone does not establish those results.
Does this test check my outgoing SMTP server?
No. It sends a message from noreply@send-test.email to your recipient address, testing the inbound delivery path from this service. To test your own outgoing server, send a message through that server and inspect the receiving mailbox and its headers.
Why is the status still “Accepted for sending”?
The sending service accepted the request, but a later delivery outcome has not been reported. The message might still be processing or its delivery event might be unavailable. Check the mailbox and receiving server logs; acceptance must not be treated as confirmed delivery.
How long does email delivery take?
Delivery is often quick, but greylisting, rate limits, temporary DNS issues and server outages can delay it. A deferred result means delivery is temporarily delayed. Automatic report refresh is bounded; use Refresh status to check again later without sending another message.
Can the report prove that someone opened the email?
No. Test messages contain no tracking pixels or read tracking. Delivered means the destination server accepted the message, not that someone opened it or that it reached a particular folder.
How do I test a newly configured mail server?
Verify MX and address records, create the recipient mailbox and confirm that the receiving SMTP service is reachable on port 25. Send a test here, compare the report with your server logs, then inspect the received headers. A successful result covers this delivery attempt, not every sender or future message.
Do I need an account, and how long does a report last?
No account is required. Results remembers your tests through a cookie in this browser; clearing it starts a new history. Each test has a private report link that works for up to 7 days. Anyone with the link can view the report, so share it carefully. Opening the homepage starts a new test.