One of the best tools for troubleshooting Sender Policy Framework (SPF) issues is available from Kitterman. Use Kittmeran’s SPF Query Tool to check if you have an existing SPF record and if it’s valid, check if your SPF record has any syntax errors, and test your SPF record for performance based on different IP addresses.
It is important to note that if you do not have full control of the Mail From (MFrom) address, which might be the case if you’re using an Email Service Provider (ESP), you need to work with who owns the domain to make changes to the SPF record.
Check for an existing SPF record and its validity
Check the Domain Name System (DNS) for a SPF record for your MFrom address.
Here’s how you can check:
- Type in the domain name
- Select Get SPF Record (if any)
If no SPF record is found, one needs to be created and added to the DNS. Check out the How to set up SPF article for instructions.
Check for syntax errors
Ensure that your SPF record does not have any syntax errors or invalid characters.
Here’s how you can check:
- Enter the MFrom address
- Enter the SPF record
- Select Check SPF record
The test will show you if your SPF record does have invalid characters of syntax errors that need to be fixed.
Test an SPF record
Complete a full test of the SPF record and ensure that the sending IP address is included in the SPF record.
Here’s how you can check:
- Enter the sending IP address that you want tested
- Enter the SPF record
- Enter the full MFrom address
- Select Test SPF Record
It is important to note that if you do not have full control of the MFrom address, which might be the case if you’re using an Email Service Provider (ESP), you need to work with who owns the domain to make changes to the SPF record.
Here’s the link to Kitterman’s SPF Query tool mentioned above: Kitterman
