Salesforce Email Undeliverable DMARC Error: Causes & Solutions
In a technologically advanced world, email is essential in making contacts with customers and the successful functioning of the business. For users of Salesforce, it is an integral part of contacting leads, nurturing prospects, and communicating with existing customers. Nevertheless, problems could occur such as, getting a Salesforce Email Undeliverable DMARC Error message. This piece discusses the reasons why email is an issue to a number of Salesforce users and how such errors can be averted.
Introduction: DMARC and Its Impact on Email Deliverability
DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance) protocol is an email authentication protocol that aims at providing domain owners with protection against email phishing and spoofing email threats. This involves sending an email and checking whether the email is sent with the domain through the sender identity verification mechanism offered by SPF (Sender Policy Framework) and DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail). An email that is unable to pass these checks may result in “undelivered” messages or a failure to deliver.
Many Salesforce users report receiving Email sent from Salesforce undeliverable DMARC error, the cause for this could be that the email did not satisfy either the SPF or DKIM authentication medium as per the DMARC policy available. The result of this is that the recipient pivots and rejects the email out of reach and sends a DMARC error as a response.
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Common Causes of the Salesforce Email Undeliverable DMARC Error
Several factors can lead to undeliverable emails due to DMARC errors in Salesforce:
1. Misconfigured SPF and DKIM Records
Salesforce relies on SPF and DKIM for email authentication, but if these records are not configured correctly, emails will fail the DMARC check. This is one of the most common reasons for DMARC errors in Salesforce.
2. Strict DMARC Policies
If your domain has a strict DMARC policy (e.g., “p=reject”), any email that doesn’t pass authentication will be rejected automatically. Domains with a strict DMARC policy may see more undeliverable messages.
3. Improper Domain Alignment
DMARC requires that the email’s “From” address domain matches or aligns with the domain specified in the SPF and DKIM headers. Misalignment issues can trigger DMARC errors, causing Salesforce emails to become undeliverable.
4. Multiple Email-Sending Services Without Proper Configuration
Organizations often use multiple email-sending services, such as Salesforce and other third-party marketing platforms. Each platform must be authorized to send emails on behalf of your domain via SPF and DKIM configurations.
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5. Salesforce-Specific Email Limitations and Restrictions
Salesforce places certain restrictions on email sending to maintain high deliverability and prevent abuse. Sometimes, these restrictions can conflict with a domain’s DMARC policy, leading to undeliverable emails.
Troubleshooting Steps for DMARC Error
1. Verify SPF and DKIM Settings
To begin troubleshooting, start by verifying your SPF and DKIM settings. Salesforce offers specific guidelines on configuring these records for optimal deliverability:
- SPF Setup: Ensure that Salesforce is included in your SPF record by adding include:_spf.salesforce.com to your domain’s SPF record.
- DKIM Setup: In Salesforce, you can generate a DKIM key, which should be added to your DNS settings to enable DKIM authentication.
2. Check DMARC Policy and Adjust if Necessary
Review your DMARC policy, which can be set to “none,” “quarantine,” or “reject”:
- None: Allows email delivery regardless of DMARC alignment but still generates DMARC reports.
- Quarantine: Marks non-aligned emails as suspicious, often sending them to the spam folder.
- Reject: Blocks any email that doesn’t pass DMARC alignment, which can result in undeliverable emails.
For troubleshooting purposes, consider setting your policy to “none” temporarily. This allows email delivery while still capturing DMARC reports, giving you insight into issues without causing additional disruptions.
4. Review and Update DNS Settings
Confirm that your DNS settings are up-to-date. Sometimes, changes to SPF, DKIM, or DMARC settings require DNS propagation, which can take up to 48 hours. After updating, wait for DNS records to propagate and test email deliverability.
5. Examine DMARC Reports for Insightful Information
DMARC reports are generated by email receivers and provide insights into email authentication results. Reviewing these reports can reveal which emails are failing DMARC checks and why.
Best Practices for Preventing Salesforce Email Undeliverable DMARC Error
1. Monitor DMARC Reports Regularly
Using DMARC reports assists you in the identification of issues with either email alignment or unauthorized email sending sources. Consistent checking can mitigate undeliverable messages in the future and keep DMARC adherence intact.
2. Implement a Gradual DMARC Policy
When the configuration of DMARC is done, First start with none policy to get reports without hampering email flows. Move to “quarantine” or “reject” policy later as issues are fixed to ban any further unauthorized emails.
3. Keep SPF and DKIM Records Updated
If you add or delete any of the email sending service’s address, ensure that your SPF and DKIM addresses are modified. For salesforce users always check that include:_spf.salesforce.com is present in your SPF record and DKIM should also be turned on.
4. Train Your Team on Proper Email-Sending Practices
There are also times when human or related factors contribute to the occurrence of non-delivery reports. Such potential problems can be eased if the team is trained about employing correct procedures such as RUPO in the ‘from’ box, or following the correct patterns as prescribed by Salesforce.
5. Work with Salesforce Support if Issues Persist
In case the problems with undelivered mail still persist after applying solutions learnt in this class, reach out to Salesforce support. They will be able to provide recommendations suited to individual setups and may spot specific technical problems requiring attention.
DMARC Best Practices for Enterprises
For organizations that send large amounts of emails from various sources like Salesforce, marketing automation and customer support a more preventive approach towards DMARC can be helpful.
Use a Subdomain for Marketing Emails
Creating a subdomain for use with Salesforce or other marketing solutions, such as marketing.yourdomain.com, will assist in identifying deliverability problems. Set up distinct SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records for this sub-domain to limit its effect on the reputation of the primary domain.
Implement BIMI for Enhanced Brand Recognition
Automate DMARC Report Analysis
Select a DMARC reporting service or tool that helps automate the process of reading reports. These tools provide visual insights into your DMARC reports which assist in the identification and rectification of alignment issues with no manual effort needed.
Audit Third-Party Senders Regularly
Conclusion
It can be a bit annoying the Salesforce Email Undeliverable DMARC Error but it is possible to be resolved with some effort and knowledge. By knowing as much as possible about the DMARC rules, checking the SPF and DKIM setup, and observing some of the practices, Salesforce users are able to avoid email bounces and deliver emails more efficiently. The most important practices are review and monitoring of DMARC reports and adherence to consistent configuration settings for the emails permanently. Compliance with DMARC adds an additional layer of protection for the image of the domain, as well as the ability to prevent phishing spam and simply secure emails.
Doing this will reduce the risks of problems and ensure that you will have a proper email system within Salesforce, so your audiences will get your messages without any problem.