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Introduction

This Knowledge Base entry addresses a common issue experienced by users when sending emails. The error message typically encountered is a server error indicating a ‘malformed address.’ This document aims to guide users through identifying and resolving the issue, ensuring successful email communication.

Issue:

Users encounter a delivery failure notification when attempting to send an email. The error message is as follows:

The following recipient(s) cannot be reached: 'test@test.com.my' on [Date] [Time] Server error: '501 <'test@test.com.my'>: malformed address: '> may not follow <'test@test.com.my'

Description:

This error indicates that the email address format is not recognized by the server, resulting in a failure to deliver the email. The specific error code ‘501’ points to a syntax error in the address.

Possible Causes:

1. Incorrect Email Format: The email address may contain illegal characters or is not properly enclosed in angle brackets.
2. Email Client Issues: Some email clients might automatically format addresses in a way that is not compatible with certain mail servers.
3. Server Configuration: The receiving server may have strict rules regarding email address formats that are not being met.

Steps to Resolve:

1. Verify Email Address: Ensure that the email address ‘test@test.com.my’ is correctly typed and does not contain any spaces or unusual characters.
2. Check Address Formatting: If using angle brackets around the email address, ensure they are correctly placed. The correct format is
   username@domain.com

   without any additional characters or spaces.

3. Update Email Client: If using an email client (e.g., Outlook, Thunderbird), make sure it is updated to the latest version.

Additional Tips:

• Avoid using special characters in email addresses.
• In corporate environments, consult with the IT department to ensure email server configurations are up-to-date and compatible with widely used email standards.

Conclusion:

Email delivery failures like the ‘501 malformed address’ error can be frustrating but are often resolved by checking the formatting of the email address and ensuring compatibility with email client and server requirements. By following the steps outlined in this guide, users can effectively troubleshoot and resolve these issues, enhancing their email communication experience.

Should you have any inquiries of the guidelines, please feel free to open a ticket through your portal account or contact us at +603 – 2026 1688. We’ll be happy to assist you further