SMTP errors are never wanted by businesses and individuals relying on email for communication. One common issue is SMTP Error 534 5.7.9, which can be frustrating if not understood properly.
This error signals an authentication problem. An authentication error generally indicates an error with your login, but the reasons and solutions may differ depending on your email service provider and the configuration of your email system.
What is SMTP Email Error 534 5.7.9?
SMTP Error 534 5.7.9 generally occurs when the email server cannot validate the user’s credentials during the SMTP authentication procedure. It’s seen when sending an email via a third-party client or using an email marketing platform to handle email warmup or outreach campaigns.
Aside from the SMTP error code, similar messages may accompany it:
- Authentication failed: Please log in via your web browser and then try again
- Application-specific password required
Why does SMTP Email Error 534 5.7.9 happen?
- Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Many email providers, such as Gmail, enforce 2FA for additional security. If you haven’t set up the proper authentication method, you may encounter this error.
- Unapproved or invalid third-party apps: Email providers may block third-party apps (like email marketing platforms or warmup tools) unless there is explicit permission or consent.
- Password issues: You may be using your regular password for your email account instead of the application-specific password.
- Less secure apps setting: Providers like Google restrict access to “less secure apps” unless you enable this setting. This can mean problems for email clients or platforms that don’t use the latest security protocols.
How to fix SMTP Email Error 534 5.7.9
1. Make sure that your email address and password are correct
Start by checking if your email address and password are correct. If there’s a typo or error in your login credentials, SMTP Error 534 5.7.9 may occur. Reset your password if needed and test the connection again.
2. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) or use app-specific passwords
If you’re using Gmail or a similar provider with 2FA enabled, you’ll need to generate an app-specific password so that the email client or third-party tool (like Warmy) will work properly.
For Gmail, go to Google Account Settings > Security > App Passwords, and generate a unique password for the app you’re using. Then, use this password for authentication instead of your regular Gmail password.
3. Allow less secure apps
If you’re using an older email client or app, you may need to enable Less Secure Apps to grant access to the platform. This is more common with Gmail. Simply head over to Google Account Settings > Security > Less secure app access. Setting this up allows SMTP clients to authenticate successfully.
5. Use correct SMTP server settings
Make sure you are using the correct SMTP server settings for your email provider. For example:
- Gmail: SMTP Server: smtp.gmail.com, Port: 465 or 587, SSL/TLS: Yes.
- Outlook: SMTP Server: smtp-mail.outlook.com, Port: 587, SSL/TLS: Yes.
6. Allow access for third-party email tools
If you’re using Warmy or any other third-party service for email warmup or marketing, make sure that you’ve granted the necessary permissions for that service to access your mailbox. For services like Gmail, you may need to go into your Google Account Settings and explicitly allow access to trusted third-party apps.
How Warmy can help prevent SMTP errors
To prevent errors like SMTP Error 534 5.7.9 and ensure a smoother email experience, Warmy can play an important role. Here’s how:
Authentication checks
![SMTP Email Error 534 5.7.9 – How to Resolve [SOLVED] 3 A website interface titled Free DMARC Record Generator with a form to enter a domain for generating a DMARC record. Below the title are navigation buttons for Domain, ESP, Email, and DMARC value. A Next button is at the bottom.](https://warmy-blog-wordpress-bucket.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/11093355/848shots_so.webp)
Warmy monitors and checks your domain health, ensuring that your DNS records (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) are configured correctly, which helps prevent issues like this one. Additionally, Warmy has a Free SPF Record Generator and a Free DMARC Record Generator.
Warmy.io’s Free SPF Record Generator helps:
- Generate a valid SPF record in seconds
- Automatically optimize SPF records to avoid lookup limit failures.
- Validates current SPF setup to identify errors and missing entries.
Meanwhile, Warmy.io’s Free DMARC Record Generator helps:
- Create a valid DMARC record based on your email security needs.
- Monitor authentication failures to detect unauthorized senders.
- Gradually enforce DMARC policies to prevent email rejections.
AI-powered warmup process
![SMTP Email Error 534 5.7.9 – How to Resolve [SOLVED] 4 Graph showing email warmup performance with a line chart. The x-axis represents dates from June 1 to June 9, and the y-axis represents email volume. Two lines indicate sent (1,200) and received (1,100) emails. Background is a soft gradient.](https://warmy-blog-wordpress-bucket.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/11092911/8shots_so-1.webp)
Warmy gradually increases the volume of emails sent to build a positive sender reputation for you. It does this by mimicking natural email interactions to show email service providers that your emails are trusted and valuable. It can actually send up to 5,000 warmup emails per day in over 30 languages, making it a robust warmup tool.
By gradually warming up your email domain, Warmy helps build your email reputation, making it less likely for your emails to be flagged or rejected by email service providers.
Domain health and sender reputation monitoring
Warmy’s Domain Health Hub provides a dashboard for businesses to access the following data:
- A domain health score based on factors like authentication, blacklist status, and inbox placement tests
- Spam rates and deliverability performance overall by day over month or week
- DNS status checks to easily confirm SPF, DKIM, DMARC, rDNS, MX and A records
- Health metrics, performance reports, and deliverability trends per domain.
Prevent future SMTP errors and maximize deliverability
SMTP Error 534 5.7.9 is definitely an error code no one wants to see. However you can fix it as long as you follow the right approach.
What’s more, integrating Warmy to your email marketing tech stack, will help you mitigate the chances of encountering SMTP errors and add to the overall success of your email marketing campaigns.
Additionally, adding Warmy into your email marketing tech stack can significantly reduce the risk of SMTP errors and improve the overall performance of your email marketing campaigns. Start your free trial today.