Hotmail rejecting mail from PN [Diagnostic-Code: smtp; 550 5.7.1]

[#1]

@balvack2 

I haven't seen any response from @plusnettony to your message #171.

@MisterW 

Email being rejected with a failure message is bad enough but email vanishing without trace is seriously bad. Is this problem known to Plusnet, is it known where the problem lies (presumably with Microsoft if it only occurs when sending to Hotmail addresses) and what is being done to resolve it?

[#2]

Is it worth asking why it appears to be that only some people have trouble sending emails to Hotmail recipients and others do not? I say "seems" because while I know I essentially can send an email to somebody on Hotmail I don't know enough recipients to test this extensively.

But it strikes me as a bit like Spam. Some people complain of always receiving a lot of Spam emails, some people (I am one) essentially do not receive Spam emails. There has to be a reason for this. I used to wonder why I didn't receive Spam - now I feel that is likely the wrong way of looking at it. The right way is: 'Why do some people receive Spam'. Answers must lie in the latter question.

With people who find they cannot get emails through to Hotmail etc. because of 'reputation', could it be - possibly unknown to them - their email accounts have in the past been high jacked to send out Spam? Or their email address spoofed to originate mass Spam emails? In which case might it be people who typically receive a lot of Spam (i.e. email address publicly available) who now find difficulty with sending their emails?

I'm not sure how this helps in the here and now but, if correct, it could be a warning for the future - you should not normally receive any Spam emails. If you do, you are likely doing something wrong somewhere.

Again: Receiving Spam IS NOT NORMAL.

[#3]

@abitpedantic but email vanishing without trace is seriously bad. Is this problem known to Plusnet,

The observation of email 'vanishing' is usually down to the receiving smtp mail server replying with a 'temporary error - try later' . In this case the sending server will back off and try again sometime later with increasing time between attempts to resend. Eventually either the mail is accepted or the sending server will issue a non-delivery reply.

However, there seems to be reports elsewhere of NDRs getting tagged as spam on the Greenby system, so they be getting missed. 

[#4]

@MisterW @abitpedantic 

"Eventually either the mail is accepted or the sending server will issue a non-delivery reply."

Our experience is that the mail was not accepted (i.e. it was not received) and we did not get a non-delivery reply. And yes, we checked our spam folders...

[#5]

@dgp 

Can I just clarify advice provided earlier on a suggested temporary fix to the Hotmail email non delivery problem: ~

• I have had a plus.com email account used via MS Outlook Classic version for many years without issues.
• Is it correct that if I create a second Outlook account plus a newly created Hotmail email address then ~ on switching temporarily to this account ~ emails to Hotmail addresses will be delivered and responses received?
• Could I then revert to my plus.com address for the vast majority of my emails? (This would avoid having to notify changes of email address to 90% of my contacts)
• Could the creation of a separate Hotmail address create any other issues?

[#6]

Today, I can again send and receive emails to/from Hotmail email addresses

Are other Plusnet users experiencing the same and does this mean that the issue has now been resolved?

[#7]

Being honest. I’ve given up trying.

[#8]

Nope. Problem persists. Plusnet obviously not very interested in solving it (does anyone there actually read this Forum??). I've opened an Outlook account but am reluctant to sell my soul to Microsoft so won't migrate completely.

[#9]

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@CSG wrote:

Today, I can again send and receive emails to/from Hotmail email addresses

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Lucky you, it's not working for me.

[#10]

I did ask Plusnet for an update several days ago and no response.  I'd like to raise a ticket but it's been years since I've needed to do that, not sure of the procedure now, can anyone nudge me in the right direction?

[#11]

@WorldMachine Customers have not been able to raise tickets for a long time, except possibly complaints. See "complaints code of practice" link at the bottom of the page.

So you have to call support.

[#12]

Thanks for that, I'll put in a call. 

[#13]

I've spoken with a helpful Plusnet advisor who suggested that I log onto webmail version of  Greenby.  I use windows livemail desktop and have not used the web version as yet.  I have logged in for the first time and sent a test email to a hotmail address to see if this works.  I noticed that the sent email is not showing in my desktop Livemail sent items.   Maybe there is a delay in that syncing.  Anyway, I don't hold out too much hope it will work but will update.  I am assuming that the reply, even if it is a not deliverable, will be received on the desktop. 

[#14]

@WorldMachine 

Having read your post, I logged onto the Greenby/Webmail account ~ set up a Hotmail contact ~ and sent a test email with the "request delivery receipt" box ticked.

A delivery receipt has appeared both within the Greenby/Webmail account and within my Plusnet/Classic Outlook account.

Are things moving forward?

[#15]

That's interesting, I've just had a reply from the hotmail account that they received my test email.  Now is that because I sent it from Greenby webmail or would it have been delivered if I'd sent it from my desktop livemail.  Others have reported that their emails to hotmail addresses have been delivered, so it could be a bit hit and miss but it seems as though there is some progress.