Why was my email returned with an error message from AOL?

There are several reasons why your email was returned with an error message from AOL. When a mail server returns an email as undeliverable, the AOL® Postmaster generates an auto response. The actual error is indicated below the ----- Transcript of session follows ----- section of the return reply.

Here's an example of a returned email:

There should be a message that says something similar to:

----- Transcript of session follows -----
... while talking to air29.mail.aol.com.:
>>> RCPT To:<(e-mail address)@aol.com>
<<< 550 Mailbox not found
550 <(e-mail address)@aol.com>... User unknown

FAQs

• Most Common Cause of Returned Mail
• User Unknown
• Mailbox Full
• Is Not Accepting Mail from This Sender
• Delivery Not Authorized

Most Common Cause of Returned Mail

Believe it or not, the most common reason for a returned email is because the recipient's email address was incorrect. An email address must be typed correctly with no spaces and with the @ symbol in the correct place, for example, user name@aol.com.

User Unknown

The unknown user message means either the username doesn't exist on the AOL® service or no longer exists on the AOL service.

Mailbox Full

Another reason for a returned email could be that the recipient's mailbox is full.

Is Not Accepting Mail From This Sender

The recipient may have blocked email from your email address.

Delivery Not Authorized

Your site has been blocked from sending mail to the AOL service.