Email Delivery Problems

Email delivery issues are frustrating because the email either disappears or lands in spam, and the sender gets no feedback. Here’s how to track down the problem.

Emails Going to Spam link

This is the most common issue. The fix is almost always DNS authentication records.

Check Your Authentication Records link

Run a check at mail-tester.com. Send a test email to the address shown and you’ll get a score out of 10.

If your score is below 7, you’re likely missing one of these:

Fix Missing Records link

SPF: Add a TXT record at your domain root:

  v=spf1 +a +mx +include:_spf.gozenhost.com ~all
  

DKIM: Enable in cPanel:

1. Go to Email → Email Deliverability
2. Find your domain
3. Click Manage or Repair if issues are shown
4. cPanel generates the DKIM record automatically

DMARC: Add a TXT record for _dmarc.yourdomain.com:

  v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:you@yourdomain.com
  

Check Your IP Reputation link

If your server’s IP is on a blacklist, all emails from it go to spam:

• GoZen Blacklist Check
• Spamhaus

If your IP is listed, contact support. We can help get it delisted or move you to a clean IP.

Emails Not Arriving at All link

Sender Gets a Bounce Message link

Bounce messages tell you exactly what’s wrong. Common ones:

Sender Gets No Bounce (Email Disappears) link

1. Check the spam folder on the recipient’s side
2. Check the mail queue: cPanel → Email → Track Delivery
3. Check the mail log:

  # On VPS
sudo tail -100 /var/log/mail.log | grep "yourdomain.com"
  

Emails Not Sending from Your Site link

If your website’s contact form or application emails aren’t sending:

1. Check PHP mail function: many shared hosting plans use mail(). Verify it works:

  <?php
mail('you@gmail.com', 'Test', 'This is a test');
echo 'Sent';
?>
  

2. Use SMTP instead: PHP’s mail() function often triggers spam filters. Use an SMTP plugin or library:

  # PHP
composer require phpmailer/phpmailer

# Node.js
npm install nodemailer
  

Verifying Your Setup link

After making changes, verify everything works:

1. mail-tester.com: send a test email and get a deliverability score
2. GoZen DNS Inspector: validates SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records automatically
3. GoZen Blacklist Check: check if your server IP is on any blacklists
4. cPanel → Email Deliverability: shows a status dashboard for SPF, DKIM, and rDNS

What to Do Next link

• Setting Up Email Accounts in cPanel: configure new email addresses
• Managing DNS Records: add or update SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records