The error “550 Authentication is Required for Relay” occurs when an email client tries to send a message through the mail server without properly logging in (authenticating) to the SMTP server.
In simple terms, the mail server is saying:
“You’re trying to send email through me, but you haven’t proven that you’re authorized to use this server.”
This is a security feature, not a problem with the mail server itself.
Modern mail servers like SafeSecureWebmail require authentication to prevent spammers from using the server as an open relay, which could lead to blacklisting and serious email delivery problems.
Why This Error Happens
This error typically appears when an email client (Outlook, iPhone, Android, etc.) is configured incorrectly.
Common causes include:
01
SMTP Authentication Not Enabled
Most email clients require a setting that tells the client to log in before sending an email. If this setting is disabled, the server will reject the message.
02
Incorrect Username
The most common mistake is using only the mailbox name instead of the full email address.
Example:
Incorrect
john
Correct
john@yourdomain.com
SmarterMail requires the full email address as the username.
03
Incorrect SMTP Server Settings
If the outgoing server settings are wrong, authentication may fail.
Correct settings typically include:
Outgoing Mail Server
safesecurewebmail.com
Port
465
Security
SSL/TLS
Authentication
Required
Authenticate By
Password
04
Incorrect Password
If the stored password in the email client is wrong, authentication will fail and the server will block sending.
05
Trying to Send Through the Wrong Mail Server
Some users configure their email client to send through another provider’s SMTP server (such as Gmail or an ISP mail server).
If the account does not belong to that server, the message will be rejected.
How to Fix the Error
Follow these steps to resolve the issue.
01
Step 1: Enable SMTP Authentication
In your email client settings, locate the Outgoing Mail Server settings and enable:
“My outgoing server (SMTP) requires authentication.”
Also select:
“Use same settings as incoming mail server.”
02
Step 2: Confirm Your Username
Your username must be your full email address.
Incorrect
yourname
Correct
yourname@yourdomain.com
03
Step 3: Verify SMTP Settings
Use the following settings:
Outgoing Mail Server
safesecurewebmail.com
Port
465
Security
SSL/TLS
Authentication
Required
Authenticate By
Password
04
Step 4: Re-enter Your Password
Sometimes email clients store outdated credentials.
Re-enter the password for both incoming and outgoing servers.
05
Step 5: Test Sending Email
After updating the settings, send a test email to confirm the issue is resolved.
Still Seeing the Error?
When to Contact Your Email Administrator
If the error continues after checking your settings, contact your email administrator or ProFusionSupport.com. They may need to:
The Bottom Line
The “550 Authentication is Required for Relay” message simply means the email server requires you to log in before sending mail.
Once SMTP authentication is enabled and the correct server settings are used, the issue is usually resolved quickly.