Work through these in order — the cause is usually found in the first three.
1. Test in webmail first
Log in at yourdomain.com/webmail and send yourself a message. If webmail works, the problem is with your mail client or device, not the server.
2. Check the mailbox quota
In cPanel → Email Accounts, look at usage. A full mailbox rejects incoming mail. Empty Trash and Junk, or raise the quota.
3. Check the MX records
If you use an external provider such as Google Workspace or Microsoft 365, the MX records must point there and cPanel’s routing must be set to Remote Mail Exchanger under Email Routing. Mail silently disappearing into the local server is nearly always this.
4. Look at the mail logs
cPanel’s Track Delivery tool shows what happened to each message: delivered, deferred, rejected, and the reason. This is the fastest way to see a real bounce message.
5. Sending problems specifically
- Port 25 is blocked by most ISPs — use 465 or 587
- SMTP authentication must be enabled in your client
- Hourly send limits apply on shared hosting to protect the server’s reputation
- Check the domain and IP against blocklists if remote servers are rejecting your mail
6. Receiving problems specifically
- Check spam and junk folders, and any filters or forwarders you have set
- Confirm the sender is not being rejected by your own spam settings
- Confirm the address exists and is spelled exactly right
Sending us a ticket
Include the sender address, recipient address, approximate time, and the full bounce message if there is one. The bounce text usually contains the exact reason and lets us fix it in one reply.
