How to fix the "Ownership cannot be assigned" email sending error when using SMTP

Resolving SMTP errors when sending emails

Error warnings that initially appear confusing are a regular occurrence while using the SMTP protocol to send emails. These messages—like "Property cannot be assigned"—are frequently the consequence of improper setups or the use of properties that the SMTP server is not designed to allow. Resolving these problems successfully requires an understanding of their underlying causes.

Many important settings, including the transmitting server, port, and authentication data, must be configured for an SMTP server. Frustrating error messages can arise from a mistake in any of these settings. Furthermore, it's possible that your SMTP server won't recognize certain attributes unique to the library or framework you use to send emails, which is why it's crucial to thoroughly review compatibility and the related technical documentation.

Recognizing and Fixing SMTP Error

When sending an email using SMTP, the error message "Property cannot be assigned" is sometimes caused by wrong usage of the properties accessible in the SMTP API or by misconfiguration. Attempting to use a property that is not supported by the target SMTP server or giving an invalid value to a property of the MailMessage or SmtpClient object are two possible causes of this message. This error may be produced, for instance, if you attempt to force SSL to be used on a server that does not support it. Understanding the specifications and functionality of the SMTP server you are using is therefore essential.

It is advised to review the documentation for both the API you use to send emails and your SMTP server in order to prevent this kind of issue. Verify that all properties are properly set and that the values assigned fall within the ranges that your server accepts. Enabling detailed logs for SMTP operations can frequently assist in pinpointing the exact source of the error as well. Once the issue has been located, making the necessary configuration changes should fix the error and enable the email to be sent properly.

using System.Net.Mail;
SmtpClient client = new SmtpClient("smtp.example.com", 587);
client.Credentials = new System.Net.NetworkCredential("username", "password");
client.EnableSsl = true;
MailMessage mailMessage = new MailMessage();
mailMessage.From = new MailAddress("your-email@example.com");
mailMessage.To.Add("recipient-email@example.com");
mailMessage.Subject = "Test Subject";
mailMessage.Body = "This is the body of the email.";
client.Send(mailMessage);

Clarifications on SMTP errors

The "Ownership cannot be assigned" issue that appears while sending emails using SMTP can be perplexing and upsetting for system administrators and developers. Many factors can lead to this error, such as misconfigured SMTP settings, properties that aren't compatible with the SMTP server, or trying to send an email without the required authentication. To enable sending emails, SMTP servers frequently need to be configured precisely while adhering to their security procedures, which may include using SSL/TLS and requiring valid authentication.

It is vital to acknowledge that certain SMTP servers might have certain specifications about the structure of email addresses, message contents, or attachments. Sending errors could occur if these standards are disregarded. A detailed analysis of the SMTP server's error logs can offer crucial hints for resolving these problems. For email to be sent successfully in the event of an error, it is essential to verify that all properties and configurations are set appropriately by consulting the programming API requirements and the documentation of the SMTP server being used.