XFOR: Recipient Name Not Recognized / Recipient Not Found

 Last reviewed: December 31, 1997
Article ID: Q168557
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Exchange Server versions 4.0 and 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:LINKAGE:Toronto:WWW 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 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@cibc.ca'
      Subject: test
      Sent: 3/27/97 11:21:30 AM

   The following recipient(s) could not be reached:

      hello@cibc.ca on 3/27/97 11:21:30 AM
            Recipient Not Found
            MSEXCH:IMC:CIBC:SCCB:NT70177PDC
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 : XFOR kbusage
Version : WinNT:4.0,5.0
Platform : winnt

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.

Last reviewed: December 31, 1997
© 1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.