Troubleshooting failed email delivery from DMARC

Navigation: Main_Page > Email Deliverability > DMARC > Troubleshooting failed email delivery from DMARC

Troubleshooting Failed Email Delivery from DMARC

If your ActiveCampaign account is encountering a high volume of bounces for correct email addresses, or if contacts are not receiving your email messages, it may be due to how your Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance Policy (DMARC) is configured with your Domain Name System (DNS) provider.

DMARC is an essential component in the realm of email deliverability, especially in light of the forthcoming changes by major email providers. Effective February 2024, DKIM and DMARC authentication will be mandatory due to policy updates from Gmail and Yahoo regarding email security standards. This article aims to help you troubleshoot issues related to failed email delivery stemming from DMARC settings and configurations.

How to Access This Feature

To troubleshoot failed email delivery issues in ActiveCampaign, you will typically begin by accessing your DMARC records through your DNS provider. This process might require logging into your DNS management platform and finding the DMARC settings associated with your domain. Additionally, you will be using the DKIM, SPF, and DMARC verification tool provided by ActiveCampaign to aid in your troubleshooting efforts.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Verify Your DMARC Settings

The first step in troubleshooting DMARC-related delivery issues is to verify your current DMARC settings.

1. Open the DKIM, SPF, and DMARC verification tool. 2. Enter your domain in the field provided. 3. Click on the Enter button.

Once the tool processes your request, it will display your results for DKIM, SPF, and DMARC. If there is a failed DMARC check, you might see an error message indicating issues that need to be resolved.

2. Navigate the Results

An example of a failed DMARC check could indicate:

"You have a p=reject or p=quarantine DMARC record, and you have not set up DKIM. This means all your mail from ActiveCampaign will most likely bounce unless you have successfully set up DKIM. Either set up DKIM for this domain, or change the policy in your DMARC record to p=none."

This error message serves as a crucial indicator that immediate action is required.

3. Taking Action to Resolve the Issue

To rectify the DMARC-related email delivery issues, you can take one of the following actions:

- **Temporarily Change Your DMARC Policy**

  - Access your DNS settings and adjust your DMARC record to have a policy of p=none. This allows emails that fail DMARC checks to still be delivered, although it is temporary and not recommended for long-term use.
 

- **Set Up DKIM Authentication**

  - Setting up a DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM) record is essential for passing DMARC checks. DKIM "vouches" for emails sent, thus fostering better deliverability. You can establish DKIM when configuring your sending domain. Check how to set up your sending domain [here](https://help.activecampaign.com/hc/en-us/articles/360015584680).

- **Set Up a Mailserver Domain**

  - Aligning the Return-path domain with your "From" address domain enhances DMARC compliance. Establishing a Mailserver Domain is part of the standard process for a Sending Domain as described in the previous link.

Configuration Options and Settings

To effectively troubleshoot failed email delivery, understanding your DMARC configuration is critical. The DMARC policy has three options:

- **none**: Treat emails as if no DMARC is configured but utilize reporting features. - **quarantine**: Route emails to the spam folder if they fail checks. - **reject**: Bounce emails that do not pass checks.

Adjusting these settings affects how your emails are processed by recipient servers and may need to change based on your specific email authentication needs.

Best Practices and Tips

- Regularly check your DKIM and SPF records alongside your DMARC settings to ensure alignment and proper setup. - Monitor your email deliverability metrics to spot any evolving issues sooner rather than later. - For continuous email deliverability improvement, consider setting up a one-on-one consultation for a Deliverability Consultation session, which can help maximize your email outreach effectiveness.

Common Use Cases with Examples

- A company managing multiple domains may find that adjusting their DMARC policy to p=none temporarily resolves email deliverability while ensuring proper DKIM setup across all domains. - An organization could utilize DMARC reports to gather insights into email authentication failures, thereby refining their messaging strategy to improve engagement rates.

Troubleshooting Section

Aside from DMARC issues, email delivery might fail for several other reasons:

- **Bounced Messages**: If emails bounce, it could be due to the recipient's address being invalid (hard bounce) or their inbox being full (soft bounce). - **Emails Sent to Spam**: Consistent low engagement or difficulty finding unsubscribe links can elevate the chances of your emails being classified as spam.

For further troubleshooting, consider these resources:

- [What is a bounce and how can I prevent them?](https://help.activecampaign.com/hc/en-us/articles/115000191564-What-is-a-bounce-and-how-can-I-prevent-them-) - [Why is my email going to the spam folder?](https://help.activecampaign.com/hc/en-us/articles/206427664-Why-is-my-email-going-to-the-spam-folder-How-to-improve-email-deliverability)

FAQ

Q1: What does a DMARC policy of p=none mean? A1: It instructs email servers to ignore DMARC checks, allowing emails to be sent regardless of the DMARC status but still provides reporting features.

Q2: Why do I need to set up DKIM? A2: Without DKIM, your emails may fail DMARC checks, leading to potential bounces or emails being sent to spam.

Q3: How can I see my DMARC policy settings? A3: Use the DKIM, SPF, and DMARC verification tool to view your current DMARC policy.

Q4: Is changing DMARC to p=none a permanent solution? A4: No, it is suggested only as a temporary measure while resolving existing issues.

Q5: Can I expect all of my emails to be delivered if I change my DMARC to p=none? A5: Not necessarily; other factors can influence delivery such as sender reputation and engagement rates.

Q6: What should I do if my emails are still being routed to spam? A6: Review your email content, check for spam triggers, and ensure your unsubscribing process is clear.

Q7: Where can I find additional resources for troubleshooting email delivery issues? A7: You can refer to the articles on managing bounces and avoiding spam classifications mentioned previously.

This comprehensive guide on troubleshooting failed email delivery from DMARC equips you with the knowledge to identify and resolve common issues that may arise, ensuring better email communication possibilities with your contacts.