Issue:
Users sending emails via Outlook may encounter the error message: "SMTP call from (workstation) [xx.xx.xx.xx] dropped: too many syntax or protocol errors (last command was ‘RCPT TO: Task ‘Mailer – Sending’ reported error (0x800CCC0F) : ‘The connection to the server was interrupted. If this problem continues, contact your server administrator or ISP. The server responded: 501 Too many syntax or protocol errors’.”
Solution:
The error message can occur due to the presence of quotation marks around email addresses when copied and pasted into the 'To' field. This syntax discrepancy confuses the server, leading to protocol errors. To resolve this issue, follow the steps below:
1. Edit Email Addresses:
- Open the email draft in Outlook.
- Check the 'To' field for any email addresses enclosed in quotation marks.
- Edit the email addresses to remove the quotation marks, leaving only the email address itself.
2. Manually Enter Addresses:
- Instead of copying and pasting, manually type the email addresses directly into the 'To' field.
- Double-check for any accidental inclusion of special characters or quotations.
3. Test the Email:
- Once you have corrected the email addresses, attempt to send the email again.
- Verify if the issue has been resolved by checking for the recurrence of the error message.
By following these troubleshooting steps, you can rectify the SMTP error and ensure a seamless email sending experience through Outlook. If the problem persists even after implementing these solutions, it is advisable to seek professional technical support for a more in-depth investigation and resolution.
