Valid RCPT command must precede DATA: Error 503, can be easily resolved with a little bit of help from the experts at Bobcares.

At Bobcares, we offer solutions for every query, big and small, as a part of our Server Management Services.

Let’s take a look at how our Support Team is ready to help customers resolve Error 503: valid RCPT command must precede DATA.

How to resolve: Valid RCPT command must precede DATA

The Outlook error 503 often pops up when attempting to send an email. This error is an indication that the email server did not accurately authenticate the SMTP connection.

Error 503: Valid RCPT command must precede DATA

According to our Support Techs, the error may be due to either one of the following causes:

• • The email client does not have SMTP Authentication set up.
  • The email server expects us to check email first before sending an email.

Fortunately, our Support Techs are here to help you resolve these issues.

How to set up SMTP Authentication

Although the SMTP Authentication set up depends on the email client we are using, here is how we can get it done in Outlook:

1. First, open Outlook 2016.
2. Then, head to the File menu and navigate to Account Settings > Account Settings.

   
3. Then, choose the email account we want to set up and click Change.
4. After that, choose More Settings.. in the Change Account window.
5. Next, navigate to Outgoing Server > My outgoing server (SMTP) requires authentication > Use same settings as my incoming mail server and select the Advanced tab.
6. Then, we have to set the Outgoing server (SMTP) port value to 465. After that, we have to select SSL in the Use the following type of encryption drop-down list and click Ok.
7. Finally, click Next in the Internet E-mail Settings and click >strong>Finish.

How to check email before sending

When we first open our email client, it checks email first automatically. However, if we send an email after around thirty minutes and see the Error 503 message, we have to check the email for new messages. This will allow us to send an email without any further problems.

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Conclusion

In brief, our skilled Support Engineers at Bobcares demonstrated how to resolve Error 503: valid RCPT command must precede DATA.