The server is ready to receive the message body. This is the normal response after the DATA command, indicating you can begin transmitting the email content (headers and body).
What Does Error 354 Mean?
SMTP code 354 is the server's response to the DATA command, indicating it is ready to receive the actual email content including headers and body. The sending server should then transmit the message, ending with a line containing only a period (.) to signal the end of the message.
This is a standard part of every SMTP transaction and is not a bounce code. If your server is not receiving a 354 after sending DATA, it typically means the server rejected the transaction earlier (invalid sender or recipient) or there is a protocol-level issue with the SMTP conversation.
Common Causes
- Normal SMTP flow - server is ready to receive message content
- DATA command was accepted after valid MAIL FROM and RCPT TO
How to Fix Error 354
- No fix needed - this is a standard SMTP response
- If not receiving 354 after DATA, check previous SMTP responses for errors
- Ensure MAIL FROM and RCPT TO were accepted (250) before sending DATA
Frequently Asked Questions
SMTP 354 means the server has accepted your sender and recipient information and is now ready to receive the email message body. It is a positive intermediate response issued after the DATA command, signaling that you should begin transmitting the email content. The message body must be terminated with a line containing only a single period (.) to signal the end of transmission.
No, SMTP 354 is not an error. It is a normal part of the SMTP conversation indicating the server is ready to accept the email body content. According to RFC specifications, 354 is classified as a positive intermediate reply. If your email client logs it as an error, the issue lies with the client software, not the mail server.
If email transmission stalls after receiving a 354 response, the sending application is likely failing to transmit the message body or the termination sequence. Ensure your email client sends the complete message body followed by the CRLF.CRLF termination sequence (a period on a line by itself). Also check for firewall interference on ports 25/587 and network connectivity issues that could interrupt the data transfer.