smtp email setup not working to my own server

[dhcernese]

I have about a dozen Amcrest cameras across 4 models. I have had no luck setting up SMTP email to my local server.
My other devices (such as a couple NAS boxes) have no issue sending me alert emails. So I know it's working fine. It's exim4 on Ubuntu.

I did read in another thread; I must remember to click SAVE before any TEST. ...but everything I have tried fails.
My server is using no authentication on default port 25.. ..and I've triple checked there's nothing special on my NAS setup to make that work.

I wonder-- am I required to use a hostname, because all I have for my smtp server is the local IP address. Has anyone hit a snag using a local server?
I've tried anonymous and guessing various settings.. ..but nothing seems to work for me.

Watching the incoming log on my exim4 server-- shows nothing. No failure to connect or send or rejection.

[dhcernese]

Code: Select all

17:09:06.477799 IP 192.168.1.240.35188 > bench.smtp: Flags [S], seq 4181040135, win 29200, options [mss 1460,sackOK,TS val 1711536 ecr 0,nop,wscale 6], length 0
17:09:06.477863 IP bench.smtp > 192.168.1.240.35188: Flags [S.], seq 112185719, ack 4181040136, win 65160, options [mss 1460,sackOK,TS val 3256283223 ecr 1711536,nop,wscale 7], length 0
17:09:06.478955 IP 192.168.1.240.35188 > bench.smtp: Flags [.], ack 1, win 457, options [nop,nop,TS val 1711537 ecr 3256283223], length 0
17:09:06.484050 IP bench.smtp > 192.168.1.240.35188: Flags [P.], seq 1:67, ack 1, win 510, options [nop,nop,TS val 3256283229 ecr 1711537], length 66: SMTP: 220 bench ESMTP Exim 4.97 Ubuntu Sun, 08 Mar 2026 17:09:06 -0400
17:09:06.484432 IP 192.168.1.240.35188 > bench.smtp: Flags [.], ack 67, win 457, options [nop,nop,TS val 1711537 ecr 3256283229], length 0
17:09:06.485001 IP 192.168.1.240.35188 > bench.smtp: Flags [P.], seq 1:17, ack 67, win 457, options [nop,nop,TS val 1711537 ecr 3256283229], length 16: SMTP: EHLO localhost
17:09:06.485108 IP bench.smtp > 192.168.1.240.35188: Flags [P.], seq 67:224, ack 17, win 510, options [nop,nop,TS val 3256283230 ecr 1711537], length 157: SMTP: 250-bench Hello localhost [192.168.1.240]
17:09:06.487510 IP 192.168.1.240.35188 > bench.smtp: Flags [P.], seq 17:29, ack 224, win 473, options [nop,nop,TS val 1711537 ecr 3256283230], length 12: SMTP: AUTH LOGIN
17:09:06.487664 IP bench.smtp > 192.168.1.240.35188: Flags [P.], seq 224:267, ack 29, win 510, options [nop,nop,TS val 3256283233 ecr 1711537], length 43: SMTP: 503 AUTH command used when not advertised
17:09:06.488398 IP 192.168.1.240.35188 > bench.smtp: Flags [P.], seq 29:35, ack 267, win 473, options [nop,nop,TS val 1711538 ecr 3256283233], length 6: SMTP: QUIT
17:09:06.529287 IP bench.smtp > 192.168.1.240.35188: Flags [.], ack 35, win 510, options [nop,nop,TS val 3256283275 ecr 1711538], length 0
17:09:06.689524 IP bench.smtp > 192.168.1.240.35188: Flags [FP.], seq 267:297, ack 35, win 510, options [nop,nop,TS val 3256283435 ecr 1711538], length 30: SMTP: 221 bench closing connection
17:09:06.691465 IP 192.168.1.240.35188 > bench.smtp: Flags [F.], seq 35, ack 298, win 473, options [nop,nop,TS val 1711558 ecr 3256283435], length 0
17:09:06.691517 IP bench.smtp > 192.168.1.240.35188: Flags [.], ack 36, win 510, options [nop,nop,TS val 3256283437 ecr 1711558], length 0

"AUTH LOGIN"
it's trying to do authentication when the settings say "NONE" ?

[dhcernese]

My email server is closing the connection because the client is sending things in the wrong order.
This is from an IP8M-VD2893E-AI with firmware 2.800.00AC001.0.R from 2022-08-23 but there is nothing newer.

[dhcernese]

Same error from an IP5M-D1188EW-AI-V3 running 2.880.00AC003.0.R from 2025-03-19.

[dhcernese]

I found in the exim4 error log matching the network trace:

Code: Select all

2026-03-08 17:54:29 SMTP protocol error in "AUTH LOGIN" H=(localhost) [192.168.1.192] AUTH command used when not advertised

Incorrect command sequence: The AUTH command must be sent in the correct order in the SMTP dialogue. The 503 error is a general "bad sequence of commands" error.
Solution: This typically points to an issue within the email client's logic or a custom script. Verify that the client is not trying to authenticate before other necessary preliminary steps are completed.

[Revo2Maxx]

Just a guess the Email server needs a name. Your other devices might be using a less secure SMTP server where Amcrest has to use a Higher secure server or it won't work.. Even if your local sending local..

[PedroHin]

Have you tried the [x] Login Anonymous checkbox?