KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q168557: XFOR: Recipient Name Not Recognized / Recipient Not Found

Article: Q168557
Product(s): Microsoft Exchange
Version(s): 4.0,5.0,5.5
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbusage exc4 exc5 exc55
Last Modified: 26-MAY-2001

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Exchange Server, versions 5.5, 4.0, 5.0 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY
=======

There is a difference between non-delivery-reports (NDRs) on messages to
Internet users with an incorrect domain name and NDRs on messages to Internet
users with a correct domain name, but incorrect user name.

MORE INFORMATION
================

The NDR on a message with an incorrect domain name looks like the following:

   Your message did not reach some or all of the intended recipients.

  Subject:hello there
     Sent: 3/27/97 11:18 AM

  The following recipient(s) could not be reached:

     'TEST@JUNK.TEST.CA' on 3/27/97 11:18 AM
           The recipient name is not recognized
           MSEXCH:IMC:SERVER:SITE:ORG 3902 Host Unknown

This is a common error; it is most likely due to a sender's addressing error. You
receive this message back from the System Administrator when you have sent
e-mail to a domain name (for example, JUNK.TEST.CA) that does not exist on the
Internet. The Internet has "Global" Domain Name Servers that resolve Domain
Names to systems. If this domain name is not found, it cannot be routed any
further.

An NDR from an Exchange 5.5 server on a message with the correct domain name but
the incorrect user name looks like the following:

  Your message did not reach some or all of the intended recipients.

     To: 'hello@microsoft.com'
     Subject: test
     Sent: 3/27/97 11:21:30 AM

  The following recipient(s) could not be reached:

     hello@microsoft.com on 3/27/97 11:21:30 AM
           Recipient Not Found
           MSEXCH:IMC:REMOTESERVER:REMOTESITE:REMOTEORG

This error is a "Recipient Not Found" error. The mail got to the other system,
but the username (Hello, in this example) did not exist. This error is again
most likely due to a sender's addressing error. Check the address again, and
resend.

Additional query words:

======================================================================
Keywords          : kbusage exc4 exc5 exc55 
Technology        : kbExchangeSearch kbExchange500 kbExchange550 kbExchange400 kbZNotKeyword2
Version           : :4.0,5.0,5.5

=============================================================================

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1986-2002.