What to do when SNDS confirmation emails are not being sent?
Matthew Whittaker
Co-founder & CTO, Suped
Published 21 Jul 2025
Updated 16 Aug 2025
8 min read
Dealing with undelivered SNDS confirmation emails can be incredibly frustrating. I've heard countless stories, and experienced it myself, where you're trying to gain critical insights into your email deliverability through Microsoft's Sender Network Data Services (SNDS), only to be blocked by the very first step: receiving the confirmation email. It feels like hitting a wall, especially when you need access to vital data to diagnose and fix email sending issues.
The purpose of SNDS is to provide senders with data on their sending IP's reputation with Microsoft's email infrastructure, including Outlook.com and Hotmail. Gaining access requires a verification step, where a confirmation email is sent to an email address associated with the IP or domain you're trying to register. When this email doesn't arrive, it halts your ability to monitor important metrics like spam trap hits, junk mail complaints, and blocklist (or blacklist) status.
This guide will walk you through the common reasons why these crucial emails might not be reaching your inbox and provide actionable steps to troubleshoot the problem. We'll cover everything from system-wide issues to local configuration problems, helping you regain control over your email deliverability data.
Why SNDS confirmation emails might not arrive
It's essential to understand that issues with SNDS confirmation emails can stem from various sources, both on Microsoft's end and your own. A common problem experienced by many is a temporary outage or glitch within the Microsoft SNDS system itself. Users have reported encountering an We're sorry! An error has occurred. message when trying to add networks or not receiving the emails at all, indicating a backend issue rather than a problem with your setup. Sometimes these issues are intermittent and resolve on their own, but not always quickly.
Another factor could be the consolidation of Microsoft's sender programs. Historically, the Junk Mail Reporting Program (JMRP) and SNDS were separate, but their sign-up processes have been unified. This integration, while aiming for simplicity, can sometimes introduce new bugs or complexities that affect the delivery of critical confirmation emails. It's a moving target, and sometimes these systems have hiccups.
Beyond system-wide issues, the problem often lies closer to home, with your own email server or recipient settings. Just like any other email, a SNDS confirmation email can be flagged as spam by your mail server or end-user filters. Incorrect DNS records, like SPF, DKIM, or DMARC, can also lead to these emails being rejected or sent directly to junk folders. Ensuring these records are properly configured and aligned is paramount for all email deliverability, including system-generated confirmations.
Ultimately, the issue can be a combination of factors. Understanding both external and internal possibilities is key to effective troubleshooting. For more information, you can check out online discussions about SNDS confirmation email problems.
Initial troubleshooting steps
When facing issues with SNDS confirmation emails, starting with basic checks can save you a lot of time. First and foremost, always check your spam or junk folder. It's a common oversight, but automated emails, especially those from support systems, can frequently be misclassified by aggressive spam filters. Make sure to check all relevant folders, including any promotions or other tabs if you're using a webmail client like Gmail.
Next, verify the accuracy of the email address you provided for the confirmation. A simple typo can prevent the email from ever reaching you. Double-check the address you entered into the SNDS portal. It's also a good idea to confirm that this email address is fully operational and capable of receiving external emails, especially if it's a new or rarely used address. Sometimes, internal email server settings might restrict incoming mail from external sources, even for legitimate senders like Microsoft.
If initial checks yield no results, consider resubmitting your request. While it might seem redundant, a fresh request can sometimes trigger the system correctly if there was a transient issue. Many users have found success by simply trying again after a few hours or the next day, especially if Microsoft's system was experiencing temporary problems. For deeper diagnostics, review your mail server logs. These logs can reveal whether Microsoft even attempted to deliver the email, or if it was rejected by your server for a specific reason. Look for entries related to incoming mail from microsoft.com or outlook.com domains.
Technical configurations and outreach
If basic checks don't resolve the issue, it's time to delve into more technical aspects of your email setup. One of the most common reasons for email delivery failures, including confirmation emails, is improper email authentication records. Specifically, your SPF (Sender Policy Framework), DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail), and DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance) records are crucial. If these are misconfigured, emails from legitimate sources, like SNDS, might be rejected or heavily filtered by your receiving mail server.
Use a free email deliverability tester to quickly assess your domain's health and ensure these records are correctly set up. You can also manually check them using a DNS lookup tool. Here's what good SPF and DMARC records might look like:
Your IP or domain might also be on a public or private blocklist. While less common for receiving confirmation emails, a poor sender reputation can impact all incoming and outgoing mail. Tools like a blocklist checker can help you determine if your sending infrastructure is listed. If you discover you're on a blocklist, you'll need to follow the specific delisting procedures for that list. Keep in mind that blocklists (or blacklists) are constantly updated, so regular monitoring is essential.
If all else fails, directly contacting Microsoft support is your next step. While responses can sometimes be slow due to high volume, it's crucial to open a support ticket or email msn-snds@microsoft.com. Provide them with as much detail as possible, including the IP addresses or domains you are trying to verify, the email address expecting the confirmation, and any error messages you've encountered.
Views from the trenches
Best practices
Always check your spam and junk folders, including other tabs, before assuming the email wasn't sent.
Confirm the exact email address used for SNDS verification, even a small typo can cause delivery failure.
Proactively monitor your IP and domain reputation to prevent email deliverability issues.
Ensure your DNS records (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) are correctly configured and aligned for optimal deliverability.
Common pitfalls
Assuming a technical issue on Microsoft's end without first checking your own mail server logs.
Not resubmitting the SNDS request, as sometimes transient system errors can resolve themselves with a new attempt.
Overlooking internal network or firewall rules that might be blocking legitimate incoming verification emails.
Ignoring the importance of email authentication, which can lead to legitimate emails being filtered as spam.
Expert tips
Expert from Email Geeks says: "If you're getting the 'We're sorry! An error has occurred.' message, don't give up immediately; often, trying again later or the next day will resolve it."
Marketer from Email Geeks says: "I've seen many cases where SNDS and JMRPP sign-up processes have intermittent issues, so patience and persistence are crucial."
Expert from Email Geeks says: "Always check your mail logs for connection attempts from Microsoft; if they're not even trying to connect, it confirms a broader system issue."
Marketer from Email Geeks says: "Before contacting support, verify your DNS records. Misconfigurations are a frequent cause of delivery problems for these types of emails."
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks says that SNDS confirmation emails being broken has been reported to Microsoft and there is no ETA for a fix, suggesting emailing msn-snds@microsoft.com for support.
2023-06-29 - Email Geeks
Marketer view
Marketer from Email Geeks notes that the Junk Mail Reporting Program (JMRPP) seems to be included in this issue, indicating a unified sign-up process for both JMRPP and SNDS.
2023-07-01 - Email Geeks
Getting your SNDS confirmation emails
Not receiving SNDS confirmation emails can be a significant roadblock to effective email deliverability management. While Microsoft's systems can experience intermittent issues, it's crucial to systematically rule out problems on your end first. By thoroughly checking your spam folders, verifying the correct email address, reviewing mail server logs, and ensuring your DNS records are robust, you address the most common culprits.
If problems persist, don't hesitate to resubmit your request and reach out directly to Microsoft support. Persistence is key in these situations, as system glitches can sometimes resolve themselves or require direct intervention from their end. Regularly monitoring your email infrastructure and authentication is an ongoing best practice that extends beyond just receiving confirmation emails, playing a vital role in maintaining strong sender reputation and successful inbox placement for all your campaigns.
Microsoft's email infrastructure, including Outlook.com and Hotmail. Gaining access requires a verification step, where a confirmation email is sent to an email address associated with the IP or domain you're trying to register. When this email doesn't arrive, it halts your ability to monitor important metrics like spam trap hits, junk mail complaints, and blocklist (or blacklist) status.
Microsoft's sender programs. Historically, the Junk Mail Reporting Program (JMRP) and SNDS were separate, but their sign-up processes have been unified. This integration, while aiming for simplicity, can sometimes introduce new bugs or complexities that affect the delivery of critical confirmation emails. It's a moving target, and sometimes these systems have hiccups.
