What the message looks like
550-5.2.1 The email account that you tried to reach is inactive554 5.2.1 Recipient address rejected: Inactive user550 5.2.1 Mailbox unavailable552 5.2.1 Recipient address rejected: User disabled
What it means
The mailbox exists, but it isn't accepting mail right now. The standard name for this status is "mailbox disabled, not accepting messages".
Some servers send it with a 550 reply code and others with 552, but the meaning is the same.
Common causes
- The account has been suspended or disabled by the email provider, often after a long period of not being used.
- The account was closed and the address is being held before it's deleted.
- The account owner or an administrator has blocked incoming mail.
If you're the recipient
Log in to the account and check for messages from your email provider about a suspension. Free providers often disable accounts that haven't been signed in to for a long time. Once the account is active again, ask senders to resend, and check they haven't suppressed your address after the bounce.
If you're the sender
Treat it like a hard bounce. Stop sending to the address and contact the person another way if you need to reach them.
If you use addy.io
addy.io sends 552 5.2.1 Recipient address rejected: User disabled when the whole addy.io account has been disabled. If you see this for an alias that you own, please get in touch.
If the error comes from your own inbox provider when addy.io forwards an email to you, it appears on your Failed Deliveries page. Check your inbox account is still active, or add a different recipient.