Short answer: The recipient's mailbox has reached its quota, so the message isn't accepted. The problem is on the recipient's side; you can't send them mail until they free up space.
552 5.2.2 bounce message examples
The same code comes with different wording on different servers. In the bounce (non-delivery report) you may see one of these lines:
552 5.2.2 The email account that you tried to reach is over quota. (Gmail) 552 5.2.2 Mailbox full 552 5.2.2 <jane@example.com>: Recipient mailbox full 452 4.2.2 Mailbox full (temporary variant)
Type: Permanent error (on most servers). The sending server won't retry; fix the problem and send the message again.
What causes it?
| Cause | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Quota reached | The recipient's storage is full, typically from large attachments and a mailbox that is never cleaned up. |
| Your message is too large | Even if the mailbox isn't completely full, your message may be larger than the remaining space. |
| Mailbox full of spam | On unfiltered mailboxes, thousands of spam messages can fill the quota. |
What to do as the sender
- Let the recipient know through another channel; there's nothing to change on your side.
- If you're sending a large attachment, share the file via a link instead.
- If the error is 452 4.2.2 (temporary), your server will keep retrying for a while.
What the receiving side's admin should check
- Raise the user's quota or move old mail to an archive.
- If spam is what fills the quota, filter incoming mail before it reaches the server; quarantined messages don't count against the user's mailbox.
Good to know
Some servers return the temporary 452 4.2.2 instead of the permanent 552 when the quota is reached; in that case the sending server keeps retrying for days and the message is delivered once the user frees space. Which code you get depends on the receiving server's configuration.
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Frequently asked questions
My message bounced. Will it be delivered automatically once the recipient frees space?
Not with a permanent 552; you need to resend it after they free up space. With a temporary 452, the sending server retries for a while.
My own mailbox keeps filling up, mostly with spam. What can I do?
Use a spam filter that stops spam before it reaches your mailbox. A gateway like Spambil keeps spam in a separate quarantine, so your mailbox only fills with real mail.