Why is my SPF record showing 'None' and how can I resolve it?
Michael Ko
Co-founder & CEO, Suped
Published 10 Jun 2025
Updated 5 Sep 2025
9 min read
Encountering an SPF result of 'None' can be a puzzling and frustrating experience, especially when you are confident that an SPF record has been published for your domain. This specific status indicates that the receiving mail server could not find an SPF record for the domain in question, or encountered an issue preventing it from evaluating any existing record. It is a common deliverability hurdle that can significantly impact how your emails are treated, often leading them directly to spam folders or even rejection.
When an SPF record returns 'None', it effectively means there is no policy for the receiving server to check against. This lack of a clear sender policy leaves your domain vulnerable to spoofing and can severely undermine your email authentication efforts, particularly for DMARC. DMARC relies on SPF and DKIM authentication to pass, and if SPF reports 'None', it cannot contribute positively to your DMARC alignment.
An SPF 'None' result specifically means that the DNS query for an SPF record yielded no results for the Return-Path domain. This is distinct from other SPF outcomes like 'Softfail' (meaning the sender is likely unauthorized but not definitively so), 'Fail' (the sender is definitely unauthorized), 'PermError' (a permanent error in the SPF record's syntax or complexity, often due to too many DNS lookups), or 'TempError' (a temporary DNS error).
For DMARC, an SPF 'None' result is problematic because it fails SPF authentication outright. DMARC requires either SPF or DKIM to pass and align with the From: header domain for authentication to succeed. If SPF returns 'None' and DKIM also fails, the email will fail DMARC, increasing the likelihood of it being quarantined or rejected based on your domain's DMARC policy. Understanding these differences is crucial for effective email deliverability troubleshooting.
SPF 'None' Scenario
Definition: No SPF record found for the domain, or unable to be evaluated.
Impact on DMARC: SPF authentication fails immediately, often leading to DMARC failure.
Cause: Missing DNS TXT record, DNS propagation issues, or incorrect record format.
SPF 'Pass' Scenario
Definition: Sending IP is authorized by the published SPF record.
Cause: Correctly configured SPF record with authorized senders.
Common causes of SPF 'None'
The most common reason for an SPF 'None' result is simply that no SPF record exists in your domain's DNS. This can happen if you are new to email authentication, or if a previously existing record was accidentally deleted or replaced with an incorrectly formatted one. Without a valid SPF TXT record, mail servers have no policy to consult, resulting in 'None'.
Another significant cause, as seen in complex DNS setups involving CNAMEs, is inconsistent or incorrect DNS resolution. Sometimes, a domain might have an SPF record, but DNS resolvers provide inconsistent answers. This can occur with advanced configurations like CNAME flattening or when using certain DNS providers, where the SPF record might resolve correctly some of the time, and incorrectly (or not at all) at others. This intermittent behavior means some receiving servers might get the correct record, while others get 'None'. This can be especially frustrating to diagnose because SPF checks can sometimes pass and sometimes fail without a clear pattern, as highlighted in an article on SPF authentication failures.
Misconfigurations, such as publishing an SPF record with improper syntax or as a record type other than TXT, can also lead to 'None'. While most systems expect SPF records to be of type TXT, historical SPF-specific record types (RFC 4408) are deprecated and could cause issues. Additionally, exceeding the 10 DNS lookup limit within an SPF record will typically result in a 'PermError', but certain complex DNS scenarios can sometimes lead to 'None' if the record is entirely unparseable. It's also important to remember that you should only have one SPF record per domain; multiple records will cause a PermError.
Diagnosing and troubleshooting SPF 'None'
The first step in troubleshooting an SPF 'None' result is to verify if an SPF record actually exists for your domain. You can do this by using a DNS lookup tool. Make sure you are querying for TXT records specifically for the domain that appears in the Return-Path header of your emails. If the Return-Path domain differs from your From: header domain, you need to check the SPF record for the Return-Path domain.
If a record is present, the next step is to examine its content and how it's being resolved globally. Tools like MXToolBox or Google Admin Toolbox can provide insights into DNS propagation and reveal if different DNS servers are returning inconsistent results, as was observed in the `mm-bounce.solariumenergy.in` case. Inconsistent resolution is a strong indicator of a deeper DNS configuration problem, possibly related to CNAME flattening or DNS provider settings. You can also manually query DNS servers using tools like 'dig'.
Should you find a record, but still receive 'None', thoroughly inspect the SPF record's syntax. Common errors include typos, unclosed quotes, or incorrect mechanisms. Refer to RFC 7208 for Sender Policy Framework for a complete specification. Ensure the record starts with v=spf1 and ends with a qualifier like ~all or -all. Incorrectly formatted records are often ignored, leading to a 'None' result.
Example of a properly formatted SPF recordDNS
yourdomain.com. IN TXT "v=spf1 include:mail.example.com include:_spf.google.com ~all"
Resolving SPF 'None' issues
If no SPF record exists, the solution is to create one and publish it as a TXT record in your DNS settings. This record should list all IP addresses and domains authorized to send email on behalf of your domain. You can use a free DMARC record generator tool as a starting point, which often includes an SPF record creation component. Once created, add it to your domain's DNS through your DNS provider's interface.
For issues related to inconsistent DNS resolution or CNAME flattening, the approach needs to be more nuanced. If your DNS provider is Cloudflare or a similar service, investigate their specific documentation regarding SPF and CNAMEs. Some providers offer specific solutions for SPF flattening or dynamic SPF services that can help. This might involve restructuring your DNS records or reaching out to your DNS provider's support for clarification on how SPF records are handled within their system.
Always account for DNS propagation time when making changes. DNS updates can take anywhere from a few minutes to 48 hours to fully propagate across the internet. After making any changes, use DNS lookup tools again to confirm the record is consistently resolving as expected from various locations. Patience is key, but continuous monitoring, especially with a DMARC monitoring tool, can help you quickly identify if your changes have taken effect and resolved the 'None' issue.
Best practice for SPF record changes
When modifying your SPF record, always lower the TTL (Time To Live) beforehand. This ensures that changes propagate faster, reducing the impact of any potential misconfiguration. After verifying the changes, you can set the TTL back to its original value. This strategy minimizes the window of vulnerability and speeds up troubleshooting.
The bigger picture: SPF, DMARC, and email security
While resolving an SPF 'None' issue is a critical step, it is important to remember that SPF is just one component of a comprehensive email authentication strategy. For robust email security and optimal deliverability, SPF should always be deployed in conjunction with DKIM and DMARC. DKIM provides cryptographic assurance that email content has not been tampered with, while DMARC acts as the policy layer, instructing receiving servers on how to handle emails that fail SPF or DKIM authentication.
Implementing DMARC allows you to receive aggregate reports on your email traffic, giving you visibility into authentication results, including SPF 'None' events. These reports are invaluable for identifying and resolving authentication problems quickly. Suped offers an industry-leading DMARC reporting and monitoring tool with a generous free plan, making it easy to gain the necessary insights to protect your domain and improve your email deliverability. Proactive monitoring helps you maintain a strong sending reputation and ensures your legitimate emails reach their intended recipients.
Views from the trenches
Best practices
Always check the Return-Path domain's SPF record, not just the From: header domain.
Use DNS lookup tools from multiple locations to confirm global propagation of your SPF record.
Set a low TTL before making SPF record changes to speed up propagation and reduce troubleshooting time.
Common pitfalls
Forgetting to publish an SPF record for new sending domains or subdomains.
Having multiple SPF TXT records for a single domain, which causes a PermError.
Not accounting for DNS caching and propagation delays after updating your SPF record.
Expert tips
Implement DMARC at p=none to gain visibility into SPF 'None' issues via aggregate reports.
Regularly review your DMARC reports to catch any authentication failures, including SPF issues.
Use a DMARC monitoring platform like Suped to simplify report analysis and quickly identify problems.
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks says that when SPF shows 'None', the first thing to check is always the Return-Path header. The SPF record must exist for that specific domain.
2025-08-26 - Email Geeks
Marketer view
Marketer from Email Geeks says they often see intermittent 'None' results when Cloudflare DNS is involved, suggesting a DNS flattening problem or inconsistent responses from different DNS zones.
2025-08-25 - Email Geeks
Ensuring proper email authentication
An SPF 'None' result is a clear signal that your domain's email authentication is compromised, either due to a missing record or a misconfiguration in your DNS. Addressing this promptly is vital for your email deliverability and to protect your domain from impersonation. By understanding the causes and following systematic troubleshooting steps, you can restore proper SPF functionality.
Remember, SPF is a foundational element of email security. While fixing 'None' is a great start, a holistic approach that includes DKIM and DMARC is the best defense against email fraud and ensures your messages reliably reach the inbox. Continuous monitoring with a robust platform like Suped is essential for maintaining optimal email deliverability and security over time.
