VPS & Dedicated Hosting: Viewing the Mail Queue

Managing emails effectively is important to ensure smooth communication on your VPS or dedicated server. Among these is viewing the mail queue, which tracks and controls outgoing emails to be delivered on time. Here, we will take you through accessing and interpreting your mail queue to keep your server's email system running in top shape.

• What You Need
• Login through SSH
  • Using Terminal (Mac, Linux)
  • Using Putty (Windows)
• Checking the Queue
• Clearing the Queue
• Summary

What You Need

• The password for the root user on your server.
• An SSH client like Terminal (Mac, Linux) or Putty (Windows).
• A domain name that points to your server or your server's IP address.

Login through SSH

These instructions require knowing the root password for your server. If you don't know the root password or haven't set one up please see Log in to WHM.

Using Terminal (Mac, Linux)

1. Open the Terminal.
2. Type the following command to login into your server through SSH:

               ssh [email protected]

   Note: Replace exampledomain.com with your domain or IP address.

3. If you receive a message about the authenticity of the host, type yes to continue connecting.
4. When it asks for your password, enter the root password to your server.

   Note: It's normal not to see anything on the screen change as you enter your password.

Using Putty (Windows)

To make an SSH connection on Windows, you must have a compatible SSH client such as putty. You can download putty from http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/download.html.

1. Open Putty.
2. Enter your domain or IP address as the hostname.
3. Enter 22 for the port number.
4. The protocol should be set to SSH.
5. Click the Open button.
6. If you receive a message about the authenticity of the host, type yes to continue connecting.
7. When it asks for the username type root.
8. When it asks for the password, enter the password for the root user.

   Note: It's normal not to see anything on the screen change as you enter your password.

Checking the Queue

To see the number of emails in queue enter:

    exim -bpc

To print a list of messages in queue enter:

    exim -bp

Clearing the Queue

To remove a single message from the queue, enter:

    exim -Mrm MessageID

To clear out the entire mail queue please see: Clearing the Mail Queue on VPS and Dedicated Servers.

Summary

In this guide, we have discussed the significance of viewing the mail queue on VPS or dedicated server. Knowing how to access and manage your mail queue will ensure that your emails are delivered properly and help troubleshoot any issues that may arise. Follow our step-by-step guide to keep your server's email system in top shape.