Using E‑mail Tracking in DirectAdmin
Summary
This guide explains how to use E‑mail Tracking in DirectAdmin. E‑mail Tracking allows you to view the delivery status of messages sent from or to your domain, helping diagnose issues such as delays, bounces, or rejected mail.
Overview
E‑mail Tracking provides a searchable log of recent mail activity. You can see whether a message was delivered, deferred, rejected, or failed. This tool is essential for troubleshooting delivery problems and verifying that messages are being processed correctly.
Requirements
- DirectAdmin user-level access
- A domain with e‑mail enabled
- Mail must be routed through the server for tracking to work
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Access E‑mail Tracking
- Log in to DirectAdmin
- Go to E‑mail Manager → E‑mail Tracking
- Select the domain you want to review
2. Search for an E‑mail
You can search by:
- Sender address
- Recipient address
- Subject keyword
- Message ID (advanced)
- Date range
Enter your search criteria and click “Search”.
3. Understanding Delivery Statuses
Common statuses include:
Delivered
- The message successfully reached the recipient’s mail server.
Deferred
- Temporary issue; the server will retry delivery.
- Often caused by greylisting or remote server delays.
Failed
- The message could not be delivered.
- Usually due to incorrect address, DNS issues, or spam rejection.
Rejected
- The remote server refused the message immediately.
- Often caused by spam filters, blacklists, or policy blocks.
Queued
- The message is waiting to be processed or retried.
4. View Message Details
- Click on any log entry to see full details
- Includes timestamps, server responses, and routing information
5. Export Log Results (If Available)
Some servers allow exporting logs for deeper analysis.
- Click “Export” if the option is shown
- Save the file for review or support requests
Troubleshooting
E‑mail Not Delivering
- Check the log for “Failed” or “Rejected”
- Verify MX records and DNS settings
- Ensure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are configured correctly
Messages Delayed
- Look for “Deferred” entries
- Remote server may be rate-limiting or greylisting
- Check server load or queue status
Recipient Not Receiving Mail
- Confirm the message shows as “Delivered”
- If delivered, the issue is on the recipient’s side (spam folder, filters, mailbox full)
Too Many Failures
- Check if your server IP is blacklisted
- Review SPF/DKIM/DMARC
- Ensure no compromised accounts are sending spam
Related Articles
- E‑mail Accounts
- Forwarders
- SpamAssassin Setup
- SPAM Filters
- MX Records