554 5.4.14: Hop count exceeded: possible mail loop
The message passed through too many mail servers, which usually means it was going round in a loop.
Blocked The address is probably fine. The problem is how the mail was sent.
What the bounce message looks like
The wording changes from one provider to another. These are typical examples:
554 5.4.14 Hop count exceeded - possible mail loopCommon causes
- Two forwarding rules that forward mail to each other
- A domain whose MX or routing points back to itself
- A mixed setup where two systems each think the other holds the mailbox
How to fix it if you sent the email
- Tell the recipient's IT team; the loop is usually on their side.
If you manage the receiving or sending mail system
- Check forwarding rules, connectors and MX records for a loop.
Free tool: paste the full bounce into the bounce message decoder to get a plain-English reading of every code in it.
Questions people ask
- What does 554 5.4.14 mean?
- The message passed through too many mail servers, which usually means it was going round in a loop.
- Is 554 5.4.14 a hard or soft bounce?
- Blocked. The address is probably fine. The problem is how the mail was sent.
- Should I remove the address after a 5.4.14 bounce?
- No. Fix how the mail is sent; the address itself is probably fine.