The “Error 503: Valid RCPT command must precede DATA” happens when sending email. It’s telling you that your SMTP (outgoing mail) connection was not properly authenticated by your email server.

The two most common causes for this error are:
  • Your email server requires you to check email first before sending email (checking email first is one way your email provider manages the security of your email account).
  • Your email client isn’t set up for SMTP Authentication.

Checking email before sending

When you first open your email client, it automatically checks email first. However, if you attempt to send email after about 30 minutes and you see this message, simply check your email for new messages. You’ll then be able to send email if this is the problem (most common with Outlook).

More often, Error 503 tells you that you need to set up SMTP Authentication in your email client.

Setting up SMTP Authentication

Configuring SMTP Authentication in your email client requires you to edit your email account SMTP (outgoing mail) settings. Add your email address and password to the SMTP settings and you’ll receive no more Error 503 messages.

How you set up SMTP Authentication depends on the email client you use.



Here’s how to set it up in Outlook 2016:
  1. Open Outlook 2016Open the File menu and select Account Settings –> Account Settings.
  2. In the Account Settings window, select the email account you wish to set up and click Change…
  3. In the Change Account window, click More Settings…
  4. From the More Settings window, select the Outgoing Server tab.
  5. Check My outgoing server (SMTP) requires authentication.
  6. Select Use same settings as my incoming mail server.
  7. Open the Advanced tab.
  8. In the Advanced tab, set the Outgoing server (SMTP) port to 465. In the Use the following type of encryption drop-down, select SSL.
  9. Click OK.
  10. On the Internet E-Mail Settings window, click Next.
  11. Click Finish


Here's how to set it up in Windows 10 Mail App
  1. Open Mail App
  2. Go to Settings >> Manage Accounts
  3. Select the Account and click Change Mailbox Sync settings
  4. Click on Advanced Mailbox Settings
  5. Click on "Outgoing Server Requires Authentication" and ensure is selected
  6. Click "Use the same User name and Password for sending email" and ensure is selected.
  7. Click Done
  8. Click Save

Now try sending an email.

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