What Is SPF Permerror?

What Is SPF Permerror?

SPF Permerror (permanent error) is an SPF validation result that indicates a permanent error in SPF record configuration. SPF Permerror occurs when SPF records have syntax errors, invalid mechanisms, malformed records, or other permanent configuration issues that prevent SPF validation.

Common causes include: invalid SPF syntax, malformed mechanisms, record length exceeding 255 characters (without proper string concatenation), invalid qualifiers, and DNS lookup failures for include mechanisms. SPF Permerror is more serious than SPF Softfail or Neutral - it indicates the SPF record cannot be evaluated.

Fix SPF Permerror by correcting SPF record syntax, fixing invalid mechanisms, ensuring proper record format, and verifying all include mechanisms resolve correctly. Check SPF records using our SPF lookup tool.

SPF Permerror Causes

1. Invalid SPF Syntax

Invalid SPF syntax (missing v=spf1, incorrect format, typos) causes SPF Permerror.

2. Malformed Mechanisms

Malformed mechanisms (invalid ip4/ip6 addresses, incorrect include syntax) cause SPF Permerror.

3. Record Length Issues

SPF records exceeding 255 characters without proper string concatenation cause SPF Permerror.

4. Invalid Qualifiers

Invalid qualifiers (not +, -, ~, or ?) cause SPF Permerror.

5. DNS Lookup Failures

DNS lookup failures for include mechanisms (include domains don't resolve) can cause SPF Permerror.

6. Multiple SPF Records

Multiple SPF records for the same domain cause SPF Permerror (only one SPF record is allowed).

Syntax Errors

Missing Version

SPF records must start with v=spf1. Missing version identifier causes SPF Permerror.

Invalid Format

Invalid SPF record format (incorrect spacing, invalid characters) causes SPF Permerror.

Typos and Errors

Typos in SPF records (e.g., v=spf instead of v=spf1) cause SPF Permerror.

Invalid Characters

Invalid characters in SPF records cause SPF Permerror. SPF records should only contain valid mechanisms and qualifiers.

Fixing Syntax Errors

Fix syntax errors by ensuring SPF records start with v=spf1, use correct format, and contain only valid mechanisms.

Invalid Mechanisms

Invalid IP Addresses

Invalid IPv4 or IPv6 addresses in ip4/ip6 mechanisms cause SPF Permerror.

Invalid Include Syntax

Invalid include mechanism syntax (e.g., include: without domain) causes SPF Permerror.

Invalid A/MX Syntax

Invalid a or mx mechanism syntax causes SPF Permerror.

Unresolved Includes

Include mechanisms pointing to domains that don't resolve or don't have SPF records can cause SPF Permerror.

Fixing Invalid Mechanisms

Fix invalid mechanisms by ensuring all IP addresses are valid, include domains resolve correctly, and all mechanisms use correct syntax.

How to Fix SPF Permerror

1. Check SPF Record

Use our SPF lookup tool to check SPF record syntax and identify errors.

2. Fix Syntax Errors

Fix syntax errors by ensuring SPF records start with v=spf1 and use correct format.

3. Fix Invalid Mechanisms

Fix invalid mechanisms by correcting IP addresses, include domains, and mechanism syntax.

4. Verify Record Length

Ensure SPF records don't exceed 255 characters per string, or use proper string concatenation for longer records.

5. Remove Duplicate Records

Ensure only one SPF record exists per domain (remove duplicate SPF records).

6. Test SPF

Test SPF authentication using our email authentication checker to verify SPF Permerror is resolved.