gmail error

Gmail 421 4.7.28 — Unusual Sending Rate

Gmail temporarily deferred mail because it detected an unusual sending rate associated with the sending IP or authentication path.

Most common causes

  • Message volume accelerated faster than the sender’s recent pattern
  • A new or recently changed IP began sending significant traffic
  • SPF or DKIM authenticated traffic crossed a temporary quota or reputation threshold
  • A compromised application or credential caused an unexpected burst

What to verify next

  1. Preserve the complete 4.7.28 diagnostic because Gmail may identify the affected quota
  2. Pause aggressive retries and allow the temporary condition to cool down
  3. Compare recent volume, source IPs and authenticated domains
  4. Investigate unexpected traffic before resuming normal sending

Best diagnostic path

Why the exact message matters

The same status family can be triggered by different conditions, and providers frequently add diagnostic text that narrows the issue. Use the complete rejection text rather than treating the numeric code as a complete diagnosis.

Provider reference

For the provider-defined meaning and current requirements, review Gmail SMTP errors and codes.