Summary
DMARC errors when sending from MXroute to Gmail are primarily caused by email forwarding practices. When MXroute users forward emails, the process often breaks SPF and DKIM authentication, as the forwarding server's IP address is not authorized in the original sender's SPF record. Gmail, adhering to DMARC policies, rejects these unauthenticated emails. While MXroute attempts to mitigate this using SRS (Sender Rewriting Scheme), this might be insufficient, particularly without ARC (Authenticated Received Chain). Correct SPF/DKIM setup is critical, and forwarding requires proper handling to prevent these errors. If either SPF or DKIM fail and are not aligned, Gmail will reject the email based on the domain's DMARC policy.
Key findings
- Forwarding Breaks Authentication: Email forwarding from MXroute disrupts SPF and DKIM authentication, leading to DMARC failures.
- Gmail DMARC Enforcement: Gmail rejects emails failing DMARC checks due to forwarding because the SPF record no longer aligns.
- SRS Inadequacy: MXroute's use of SRS might not fully prevent DMARC failures, especially without ARC implementation.
- SPF/DKIM Alignment Requirement: DMARC requires either SPF or DKIM to pass and be aligned; otherwise, authentication fails.
Key considerations
- Verify SPF/DKIM Configuration: Ensure that SPF and DKIM records are correctly configured and actively maintained on the MXroute setup.
- Consider Implementing ARC: Explore implementing ARC to preserve authentication results across intermediaries to improve deliverability.
- Assess Forwarding Needs: Evaluate the necessity of email forwarding and consider alternative solutions to access email to avoid breaking SPF/DKIM.
- Contact MXroute Support: Consult MXroute support to verify the proper configuration of SPF, DKIM, and SRS and to inquire about ARC implementation.
What email marketers say
11 marketer opinions
DMARC errors when sending emails from MXroute to Gmail typically arise due to forwarding practices. When MXroute users forward emails, it often breaks SPF and DKIM authentication. Gmail then rejects these messages if they fail DMARC checks. While MXroute attempts to mitigate this using SRS (Sender Rewriting Scheme), it might not be sufficient, especially without ARC (Authenticated Received Chain). Common issues include misconfigured SPF/DKIM records, forwarding servers not being authorized, and the lack of ARC implementation.
Key opinions
- Forwarding Breaks SPF/DKIM: Email forwarding from MXroute often invalidates SPF and DKIM records, leading to authentication failures.
- Gmail DMARC Rejection: Gmail rejects emails that fail DMARC checks due to broken SPF/DKIM, based on the sender's DMARC policy.
- SRS Insufficiency: MXroute's use of SRS might not fully prevent DMARC failures, especially without ARC.
- Need for ARC: Implementing ARC is recommended to preserve authentication results across intermediaries.
Key considerations
- SPF/DKIM Configuration: Ensure SPF and DKIM records are correctly configured on MXroute to minimize authentication failures.
- Contact MXroute Support: Contact MXroute support to ensure they are handling forwarded emails correctly and to verify their implementation of SPF, DKIM, and SRS.
- ARC Implementation: Consider whether MXroute can implement ARC to maintain authentication across forwarded emails.
- Alternatives to Forwarding: Explore alternatives to email forwarding, such as configuring email clients to directly access the MXroute mailbox, to avoid breaking SPF/DKIM.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Word to the Wise shares that DMARC passes if either SPF or DKIM passes and are aligned. If MXRoute is sending emails that fail both, then Gmail will reject them based on the DMARC policy setup.
2 Oct 2022 - Word to the Wise
Marketer view
Email marketer from Reddit user explains that DMARC errors can occur when MXRoute users forward emails to Gmail because the forwarding breaks SPF and DKIM authentication, leading Gmail to reject the messages based on the sender's DMARC policy.
9 Nov 2023 - Reddit
What the experts say
2 expert opinions
DMARC errors when sending from MXroute to Gmail are often linked to email forwarding practices. DMARC authentication requires either SPF or DKIM to pass and align. Forwarding disrupts SPF alignment, and if steps aren't taken to address this, DMARC authentication will fail, leading Gmail to reject the emails based on the DMARC policy.
Key opinions
- DMARC Requirement: DMARC requires either SPF or DKIM to pass and align for authentication to succeed.
- Forwarding Breaks SPF: Email forwarding breaks SPF alignment, leading to DMARC failures.
- Gmail Rejection: Gmail rejects emails that fail DMARC authentication due to forwarding issues if no countermeasures are in place.
Key considerations
- Address SPF Alignment: Implement mechanisms to address SPF alignment issues caused by forwarding (e.g., using ARC or SRS).
- Check DMARC Policy: Ensure the DMARC policy is appropriately configured to balance deliverability and security.
- Evaluate Forwarding Alternatives: Consider alternative methods to access emails that don't involve forwarding to maintain SPF alignment.
Expert view
Expert from Word to the Wise explains that DMARC passes if either SPF or DKIM passes and are aligned. If MXRoute is sending emails that fail both, then Gmail will reject them based on the DMARC policy setup.
21 Sep 2021 - Word to the Wise
Expert view
Expert from Word to the Wise explains that when mail is forwarded, the SPF record will no longer align. DMARC will fail unless there are steps in place to resolve.
28 Jul 2021 - Word to the Wise
What the documentation says
4 technical articles
DMARC errors with MXroute and Gmail are frequently due to email forwarding. Documentation from Google, DMARC.org, RFC, and Microsoft Learn collectively explain that forwarding causes SPF failures because the forwarding server's IP address doesn't match the original sender's SPF record. This misalignment leads to DMARC authentication failures. While SRS (Sender Rewriting Scheme) aims to address this, improper implementation, particularly regarding DKIM signatures, can still result in errors.
Key findings
- Forwarding Causes SPF Failures: Email forwarding breaks SPF authentication because the forwarding server's IP is not authorized in the original sender's SPF record.
- DMARC Authentication Failure: SPF failures due to forwarding lead to DMARC authentication failures, causing Gmail to flag emails as unauthenticated.
- SRS Limitations: While SRS is designed to maintain SPF alignment during forwarding, incorrect implementation, especially concerning DKIM, can lead to DMARC errors.
Key considerations
- Implement SRS Correctly: Ensure SRS is implemented correctly, paying close attention to DKIM signatures, to minimize DMARC failures during forwarding.
- Evaluate SPF Records: Regularly review and update SPF records to include authorized sending sources and consider using mechanisms like ARC for better forwarding compatibility.
- Consider Alternatives to Forwarding: Explore alternative methods to access email that do not involve forwarding to avoid SPF alignment issues altogether.
Technical article
Documentation from DMARC.org explains that SPF failures occur when an email is forwarded because the IP address of the forwarding server doesn't match the IP address authorized in the sender's SPF record. This can cause DMARC authentication to fail.
20 May 2022 - DMARC.org
Technical article
Documentation from RFC describes that SRS (Sender Rewriting Scheme) is designed to rewrite the sender address in forwarded emails to maintain SPF alignment and prevent bounce loops. However, it can still cause DMARC failures if not implemented correctly, particularly if DKIM signatures are not handled.
20 Nov 2022 - RFC Standard
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