Checking mail logs and removing your IP from spam blacklists on a VPS

Viewing mail logs

The examples below are based on a VPS with Exim as the mail server.

Run the following command in the console:

CentOS

tail -f /var/log/exim/main.log

Debian / Ubuntu

tail -f /var/log/exim4/main.log

This command streams new mail log entries in real time. Once it's running, open your mailbox in a new tab and send a test email to the address where messages aren't being delivered or are landing in spam.

Switch back to the console — new log entries should appear. Wait a moment, then stop the output with Ctrl+C.

Look for errors containing the word spam. They typically look like this:

SMTP error from remote mail server after end of data:
550 spam message rejected.

or

Message rejected as spam by Content Filtering.
Message rejected under suspicion of SPAM.
Message rejected.

The error message usually includes an error code and a link with details on why the message was blocked.

In ISPmanager5, the same logs are accessible via System → File Manager.

File Manager in ISPmanager5

Removing your IP from spam blacklists

Below are the typical error messages and delisting instructions for the major mail providers.

Gmail

Error:

550-5.7.1 Our system has detected that this message is not RFC 2822 compliant.

To request delisting, fill out Google's form:

• Email address to contact you — the address where Google's response will be sent.
• Domains affected by the issue — the blocked IP address of your mail server.
• Comments — what steps have been taken to eliminate spam from the server.

Hotmail

Error:

550 OU-002 Unfortunately, messages from [IP] weren't sent.
Please contact your Internet service provider since part of their network is on our block list.

To request delisting, fill out Microsoft's form:

• Contact name — your name.
• Contact e-mail address — the address where the support response will be sent.
• Outbound IP(s) or range(s) — the blocked IP address of your mail server.

Yandex Mail

Error:

Client host [IP] blocked using spamsource.mail.yandex.net

To request delisting, fill out Yandex's form:

• What would you like to leave feedback about in Yandex Mail? — select "Other".
• Your name — your name.
• Your email address for the response — the address where the support response will be sent.
• Message — the blocked IP address of your mail server and the steps taken to eliminate spam.