If Spamhaus are blocking your emails, it usually means your sending IP has been flagged for spam-like activity or a temporary issue with your domain reputation. This can happen even if you’re following best practices. And while it can feel urgent, the issue is fixable.
This guide explains how to check if your IP address is listed, identify the reason for the block, resolve the underlying issue, and request delisting directly from Spamhaus. By following these steps carefully, you can restore your sender reputation and resume normal email delivery.
Before You Begin
Before starting the delisting process, make sure you have:
Access to the affected domain or sending IP (you’ll need to verify ownership through your work email).
Evidence of remediation — such as details on how you fixed the spam issue (e.g., cleaning mailing lists, disabling compromised accounts, or stopping suspicious sends).
A valid work email address associated with your domain (personal emails like Gmail or Yahoo may be rejected).
24–48 hours for processing, since most blocklist teams manually review delisting requests.
🔍 Step 1: Check Your IP Status
Before initiating a delisting request, verify if your IP address is listed on any of Spamhaus's blocklists:
Visit the Spamhaus Reputation Checker: Go to https://check.spamhaus.org/.
Enter Your Domain or IP
Type the domain/IP you want to check and click Lookup.
Check the Listing Status
The page will display whether your domain or IP is currently listed.
Provide Required Information
If listed, fill out the delisting request form.
Mention the corrective actions taken — for example:The mailing list has been cleaned
Spam-trap or invalid contacts have been removed
Content and sending practices have been reviewed and corrected
Enter Your Contact Details
Add your full name and a valid email address for Spamhaus to contact you.
Submit the Delisting Request
After submission, you will receive a confirmation email from Spamhaus.
Spamhaus Review
Spamhaus will review your request and respond with the result of the delisting ticket.
Review the Results: The tool will inform you if your IP is listed and provide details on the specific blocklist.
🛠️ Step 2: Identify the Reason for Listing
Understanding why your IP was listed is essential:
Spamhaus Block List (SBL): Indicates that your IP is directly sending spam.
Exploit Block List (XBL): Suggests that your IP is part of a botnet or compromised system.
Policy Block List (PBL): Implies that your IP shouldn't be sending unauthenticated emails.
Don't Route or Peer List (DROP): Denotes that your IP is part of a network that shouldn't be routing or peering.
📝 Step 3: Resolve the Underlying Issue
Before requesting delisting, ensure that the problem leading to the listing is addressed:
Secure Your Server: If your server was compromised, take immediate steps to secure it.
Authenticate Your Emails: Implement SPF, DKIM, and DMARC to authenticate your emails.
Clean Your Mailing List: Remove invalid or unengaged email addresses to reduce bounce rates and complaints.
Monitor Sending Practices: Avoid sending unsolicited emails and ensure you're compliant with email marketing best practices.
📤 Step 4: Submit a Delisting Request
Once the issue is resolved:
Access the Listing Details: On the Spamhaus Reputation Checker, click on the listed IP address to view detailed information.
Request Delisting: Follow the instructions provided to submit a delisting request.
Provide Necessary Information: Include details about the actions you've taken to resolve the issue.
⏳ Step 5: Await Confirmation
After submitting your request:
Email Verification: Spamhaus will send a verification email to the provided address. Click the link to confirm your request.
Processing Time: Delisting can take up to 24 hours. If the issue persists beyond this period, consider reaching out to Spamhaus support for assistance.
⚠️ Important Notes
Manual Review: Some listings may require a manual review by Spamhaus, especially if the issue was severe.
Temporary Listings: If your IP was temporarily listed, ensure that the underlying issue is permanently resolved to prevent re-listing.
ISP Involvement: For certain listings, especially those involving large IP ranges, coordination with your Internet Service Provider (ISP) may be necessary.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Problem: “I didn’t receive a verification email.”
Solution: Check your spam folder or ensure you used a valid work email address associated with your domain.
Problem: “My removal request was denied.”
Solution: Recheck your domain for ongoing issues (spam activity, open relays, infected accounts). Resolve them first, then submit a new request with updated details.
Problem: “My domain was relisted shortly after removal.”
Solution: The underlying issue may not be fully fixed. Review your sending practices, authentication setup (SPF/DKIM/DMARC), and complaint rates before retrying.
Next Steps
Once your domain or IP is successfully delisted:
Re-run the lookup tool after 48 hours to confirm removal.
Review our Deliverability Best Practices to prevent future listings.
Consider enabling Auto Warmup in SendX to rebuild your domain reputation safely
📌 Additional Resources
For more detailed information and resources:
Conclusion
Getting listed on Spamhaus can interrupt your email delivery, but it doesn’t have to be a lasting problem. Once you’ve fixed the root cause (a compromised server, missing authentication, or poor list hygiene), your delisting request is typically reviewed within a day.
Moving forward, regularly monitor your IP reputation and maintain good sending practices to prevent future listings. With proper authentication, clean lists, and consistent engagement, you’ll keep your deliverability strong and your emails will land in the inbox.