SPF temperror
A temperror (temporary error) means SPF evaluation hit a
transient DNS problem — a timeout or server failure — rather than a permanent one.
Unlike a permerror, it often resolves on retry.
What SPF temperror means
A temperror (sometimes surfaced as SPF result code 451) occurs when a DNS query
needed to evaluate your record fails temporarily — for example a SERVFAIL, a
timeout, or an unreachable nameserver. The receiver typically defers the message and tries
again; many temperrors are invisible to the sender.
Temperror vs permerror
- Temperror — temporary DNS failure. Usually transient; retries often succeed.
- Permerror — permanent: the record is invalid or exceeds a limit (like too many lookups). Retrying won’t help until you fix the record.
Common causes and fixes
- Flaky or overloaded nameservers hosting your domain or an included domain — use reliable, redundant DNS.
- An included provider’s DNS having a bad moment — often outside your control; usually transient.
- A record so large/complex it approaches limits — simplifying via flattening or a macro reduces the number of queries and the surface for transient failures.
Persistent temperrors that never clear usually point to a DNS hosting problem worth investigating with your DNS provider.
Frequently asked questions
What does SPF temperror mean?
A temporary DNS failure (timeout or server error) occurred while evaluating SPF. It’s transient — receivers usually retry and it often clears on its own.
How is temperror different from permerror?
Temperror is temporary (retry may succeed); permerror is permanent (the record is invalid or over a limit and must be fixed).