--- title: "SPF Validation Unavailable | AutoSPF" description: "‘SPF validation unavailable’ means there’s a problem with your domain’s SPF record. You can run your SPF TXT record through an SPF check tool that will dia" image: "https://autospf.com/images/og-default.png" canonical: "https://autospf.com/spf-validation-failed-meaning-and-troubleshooting-methods/spf-validation-unavailable/" --- # SPF Validation Unavailable The SPF validation unavailable status signals a problem with a domain's SPF record, commonly caused by misconfigurations, wrong syntax, mx and ptr mechanisms, missing sender IP addresses, or exceeding the DNS lookup limit. Running the record through an SPF check tool diagnoses the issue, which otherwise hurts email deliverability and impedes DKIM and DMARC. ## Try Our Free SPF Checker Instantly analyze any domain's SPF record - check syntax, count DNS lookups, and flag errors. [ Check SPF Record →](/tools/spf-checker/) ‘SPF validation unavailable’ means there’s a problem with your domain’s SPF record. You can run your SPF TXT record through an [SPF check](/spf-validation-failed-meaning-and-troubleshooting-methods/exchange-spf-check-highlights-errors-to-enhance-email-security/) tool that will diagnose it in a few steps and highlight information on all the **existing issues**. There are a number of reasons causing an [SPF validation unavailable](/spf-validation-failed-meaning-and-troubleshooting-methods/) error; some common ones are- - Misconfigurations in your SPF DNS record. - Wrong use of syntax (mechanism, qualifier, and modifier) - Use of mx and [ptr mechanisms](http://www.open-spf.org/Mechanism/ptr/). - Not adding IP addresses or mail servers of all the senders. Example: third-party vendors who send emails on your behalf. - Exceeding the **limit of DNS lookups**. _Erroneous SPF records impact email deliverability and impede **DKIM and DMARC** operations in one way or the other._ ![Spf Validation Unavailable](https://media.mailhop.org/autospf/images/2023/11/spf-validation-unavailable.jpg) [Image sourced](https://www.rackaid.com/blog/help-understanding-dns-lookups-an-infographic/) from rackaid.com ## Types of Errors Causing an SPF Validation Unavailable Issue ### Pass The **sender is officially authorized** to send email messages on behalf of your company and using that particular domain name. ### None The server wasn’t able to locate an SPF record for your domain. In this case, you need to **confirm if your domain’s SPF record exists** and is published on the [DNS](https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/what-is-dns-how-it-works-domain-name-system). ### Neutral It doesn’t explicitly indicate if a specific IP address or mail server is allowed to send an email message representing your organization. It’s represented by the **’?all’ tag** and is almost equal to a missing SPF record. ### Temperror It’s a temporary [SPF validation error](/spf-validation-failed-meaning-and-troubleshooting-methods/resolve-spf-validation-errors-for-email-deliverability-and-security/) that’s most likely to arise due to a **momentary issue** like a [DNS timeout](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=000382920&type=1) or server unavailability. Domain owners shouldn’t be too concerned about this error unless it occurs frequently. If it gets too regular, they need to check their SPF records and **seek help to remediate** highlighted problems immediately. ![Spf Record Check](https://media.mailhop.org/autospf/images/2023/11/spf-record-check.jpg) ### Permerror You will receive an **SPF permerror** notification if a recipient mail server (Gmail, Microsoft Exchange Office 365, Hotmail, etc.) fails to check your SPF record correctly. It indicates the existence of a [syntax mistake](https://senderpolicyframework.com/common-spf-record-syntax-errors/) or misconfiguration. ### Softfail The sender’s IP address isn’t listed in the SPF record, which means they are **not officially authorized** to send emails representing your business. _A softfail (indicated by the \~all tag) instructs mailboxes of recipients to be wary of such senders and places emails sent by them in the spam folder._ ### Fail It’s represented by the **‘-all’ tag** and instructs a receiver’s SMTP server to reject the entry of any illegitimate email coming from your domain. It’s used to abort the attempts of malicious users who plan phishing, spoofing, or [spam attacks](https://www.foxnews.com/tech/beware-this-latest-phishing-attack-disguised-official-email-sent-google) by exploiting reputed businesses’ domain names. ## Fix your SPF record in 60 seconds page.data.title toolBanner && toolBanner.label toolBanner.description toolBanner.cta → showCTA && g2Config && [Start Free Trial→](/pricing/) ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"Organization","@id":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q138897474","name":"AutoSPF","url":"https://autospf.com","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://autospf.com/images/autospf-logo.png"},"description":"Automatic SPF flattening and email authentication management. 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