Summary
The absence or inaccessibility of Microsoft SNDS data often stems from a combination of factors, ranging from low email sending volume and technical configuration issues to Microsoft's own system reliability challenges and sender reputation problems. Users frequently report that data disappears if insufficient mail is sent to Outlook.com users, or if IP addresses are not properly registered with correct PTR records. Furthermore, internal system delays, occasional outages, and the need to log in with the specific account linked to the IP registration can all contribute to data not displaying as expected. An extremely poor sending reputation or the IP being blocked upstream can also prevent any data from being generated, as the mail simply isn't reaching Microsoft's systems.
Key findings
- System Reliability: SNDS is frequently reported as unreliable, experiencing brief daily downtimes for updates, login issues, incorrect stored passwords, and API failures that prevent complete or timely data display.
- Volume Dependency: A primary reason for missing SNDS data is insufficient email volume sent to Microsoft recipients; new IPs and those with paused campaigns often lack visible data due to volume thresholds.
- Configuration Crucial: Proper IP registration, correct contact details, and accurate reverse DNS (PTR records) are critical for data availability. IPs must also be re-registered following migrations to new hosting providers.
- Reputation Impact: Poor sender reputation or being listed on major blocklists can prevent emails from being accepted by Microsoft's network, thereby stopping SNDS from generating any reportable traffic data.
- Access Requirements: Users must log in with the specific Microsoft account tied to the IP registration in SNDS to access associated data. Issues with the account itself, such as being locked, will prevent access.
Key considerations
- Maintain Sending Volume: Ensure a consistent and sufficient volume of email is sent to Microsoft domains to allow SNDS to collect and display relevant data, especially for new IP addresses requiring warm-up time.
- Verify IP & DNS Setup: Regularly check that your IP addresses are correctly registered in SNDS, and that their reverse DNS (PTR records) are properly configured and resolving to the registered IP.
- Monitor Sender Reputation: Proactively manage your sender reputation, address any presence on major blocklists, and resolve underlying issues that could lead to your emails being blocked or filtered by Microsoft before data can be generated.
- Troubleshoot Login & Access: Confirm you are using the specific Microsoft account tied to the IP registration for SNDS access. Be aware of potential system delays, brief daily maintenance periods, or broader Microsoft service outages that could affect data display.
- Check Mail Logs: If data is missing, review your mail logs to verify that emails are actually being sent to and accepted by Outlook.com and other Microsoft domains from the IP in question.
What email marketers say
10 marketer opinions
Building on common challenges like low sending volume and configuration issues, the absence of Microsoft SNDS data is also frequently linked to the platform's intermittent technical stability. Users often find that data may not appear due to brief daily updates, longer periods of unreliability, or API failures. Beyond these system-level factors, a direct correlation exists between active email volume to Outlook domains and data visibility, meaning new or low-volume IPs may not generate sufficient data. Crucially, if emails are blocked due to an extremely poor sender reputation or if IPs are not properly re-registered after a hosting change, no traffic will reach Microsoft for SNDS to report.
Key opinions
- SNDS System Instability: Microsoft's SNDS platform frequently experiences brief daily outages for data updates and has shown prolonged unreliability, with its API sometimes failing to provide complete information.
- Volume-Data Correlation: A direct link exists between the volume of email sent to Outlook.com domains and SNDS data visibility; low sending volume, particularly for new IPs or after campaign pauses, can prevent data accumulation and display.
- Impact of Reputation Blocks: An extremely poor sender reputation or presence on major blocklists can lead to Microsoft blocking email acceptance, which in turn means no traffic is generated for SNDS to report.
- IP Re-registration Necessity: Migrating email sending to a new host requires re-registering the new IP addresses in SNDS, as existing registrations for old IPs do not transfer and new IPs need their own setup for data generation.
Key considerations
- Account for System Downtime: Be aware that SNDS can be unavailable for short periods daily for updates and may experience broader unreliability, requiring patience or later checks.
- Ensure Consistent Sending Volume: To maintain SNDS data visibility, ensure a steady and sufficient volume of emails are actively sent to Microsoft domains, allowing time for new IPs to warm up and accumulate data.
- Verify Mail Delivery Logs: Always check your mail logs to confirm that emails are actually being sent to and successfully accepted by Outlook.com and other Microsoft domains from the IP in question, as no delivery means no data.
- Proactively Manage Reputation: Actively monitor and address any issues that could lead to a poor sending reputation or blocklist inclusion, as these directly prevent email acceptance and subsequent SNDS data generation.
- Re-register IPs Post-Migration: If you change email hosting or acquire new IP addresses, ensure these are promptly registered and configured correctly within SNDS to enable data reporting.
Marketer view
Marketer from Email Geeks explains that SNDS often goes down for approximately 10 minutes each morning while they update data.
2 Dec 2021 - Email Geeks
Marketer view
Marketer from Email Geeks shares that SNDS has been unreliable for at least a month, with even the API sometimes failing to show complete data.
6 Oct 2023 - Email Geeks
What the experts say
3 expert opinions
When Microsoft SNDS data fails to display or is inaccessible, it's frequently due to a confluence of platform-side issues and sender-related factors. Users report that the SNDS website itself can be unstable, experiencing login problems and potentially impacted by recent URL changes. More broadly, a common reason for a 'No Data' message is an insufficient volume of mail reaching Microsoft's network. This can be exacerbated if emails are blocked or filtered upstream, or rejected due to issues like poor sender reputation, IP blocks, or incorrect DNS/PTR records, preventing data collection altogether.
Key opinions
- SNDS Platform Instability: Microsoft's SNDS website frequently experiences technical glitches, such as login failures, incorrect password retention, and potential issues related to recent URL changes, which can hinder data access.
- Insufficient Data Volume: A primary reason for SNDS displaying 'No Data' is that insufficient mail volume from your IP addresses is being seen by Microsoft, or your email isn't reaching their network due to very low sending volume.
- Pre-Delivery Filtering & Blocks: Mail can be filtered or blocked upstream or at initial entry points to Microsoft's network, preventing it from generating any data for SNDS. This includes rejections due to IP blocks, poor sender reputation, or improper DNS and PTR configurations.
Key considerations
- Monitor SNDS Platform Stability: Be aware that the SNDS website itself can experience intermittent issues, including login problems, incorrect stored passwords, and potential disruptions from URL changes. Patience and re-attempts may be necessary.
- Ensure Adequate Sending Volume: Confirm that a sufficient and consistent volume of mail is being sent to Microsoft recipients. 'No Data' often indicates that not enough traffic is reaching their network to generate reporting.
- Diagnose Pre-Delivery Blocks: Investigate whether your mail is being blocked or filtered before it can even reach Microsoft's network for data collection. This can stem from upstream blocks, IP blocks, traffic diversion, or issues with DNS, PTR records, or sender reputation that lead to immediate rejections.
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks shares that the SNDS site has been cranky, experiencing login issues and incorrect stored passwords, although data for the previous day was accessible. She also questions whether recent URL changes could be contributing to the problems.
5 Jul 2023 - Email Geeks
Expert view
Expert from Spam Resource explains that Microsoft SNDS data might show 'No Data' because you haven't sent enough mail to Microsoft recipients, or your mail isn't reaching their network due to upstream blocks, very low volume, or being filtered before it can generate sufficient data for reporting.
29 Jun 2024 - Spam Resource
What the documentation says
5 technical articles
Building on the understanding that platform instability and pre-delivery filtering can obscure data, the absence or inaccessibility of Microsoft SNDS data is also frequently traced to specific sender-side configurations and account management. A key reason is often an insufficient mail volume reaching Outlook.com users or the IP being inactive. Critical factors include improper IP registration, inaccurate contact information, or the absence of correctly configured reverse DNS (PTR) records. Furthermore, users must access SNDS while logged into the specific Microsoft account linked to the IP registration; any issues with that account will prevent data display. Occasional data processing delays and broader Microsoft service disruptions can also contribute to data not appearing as expected.
Key findings
- Low Volume or Inactivity: SNDS data will not display if there is insufficient mail being sent to Outlook.com users from an IP address, or if the IP is currently inactive in sending mail to Microsoft recipients.
- Registration & DNS Errors: Improper IP registration, incorrect contact email details, or missing/incorrect reverse DNS (PTR) records are critical reasons for data not being available in SNDS.
- Account-Specific Access: Access to SNDS data is strictly tied to the specific Microsoft account used for IP registration; issues with that account, such as being locked or needing a password reset, will block access.
- Processing Delays & Outages: Delays in data processing are a possible cause for missing SNDS data, and broader Microsoft service outages can indirectly affect its display and accessibility.
Key considerations
- Monitor Sending Volume: Ensure a consistent and sufficient volume of mail is sent to Microsoft recipients, as low activity or insufficient mail can prevent SNDS from collecting and displaying data.
- Verify IP Registration & PTR: Meticulously check that your IP addresses are properly registered in SNDS with accurate contact details, and confirm that their reverse DNS (PTR) records are correctly configured and resolving.
- Confirm Account Login: Always ensure you are logged into the specific Microsoft account that was used to register the IP address in SNDS, as any account issues, such as lockouts or password resets, will prevent data access.
- Check Service Health: Consult the Microsoft 365 Service Health dashboard for any ongoing outages or performance degradation that could indirectly affect SNDS data processing and display.
Technical article
Documentation from Learn.microsoft.com explains that SNDS data might not be displayed for an IP address if there is insufficient mail being sent to Outlook.com users from that IP, or if the IP address is not currently active in sending mail to Microsoft recipients. Delays in data processing are also a possible cause.
29 Jan 2022 - Learn.microsoft.com
Technical article
Documentation from Postmaster.live.com clarifies that proper registration of IP addresses with SNDS is crucial. If an IP is not registered, or if details such as the contact email are incorrect, data will not be available. Additionally, correct configuration of reverse DNS (PTR record) for the sending IP is often a prerequisite for data display.
9 Nov 2021 - Postmaster.live.com
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