Troubleshooting Mail Server Auto-Detect Failed error in Anti-spam

When you try to configure anti-spam for the first time you might get an error message "Mail Server Auto-Detect Failed". The reason anti-spam failed to detect mail server is because of SMTP(Send E-Mail) service object is present in a service group and its used under NAT policies or access rules.  

The resolution is to remove the SMTP (Send E-mail) service if any service group/access rule/NAT rule is using it. This article guides you how to fix the mail server auto detect failed error when you try to configure Antispam for the first time.
  

Resolution for SonicOS 7.X

This release includes significant user interface changes and many new features that are different from the SonicOS 6.5 and earlier firmware. The below resolution is for customers using SonicOS 7.X firmware.

1. Navigate to Policy | Access rule 
2. Choose the Matrix From zone: Wan , To zone: Lan ( Note : If the exchange server is connected to DMZ zone, then select From zone : WAN and To zone : DMZ)
3. If any rule is using SMTP (Send E-mail) service, disable the rule or delete
   
   
4. If any rule is using SMTP (Send E-mail) in a service group, navigate to Objects | Match objects | services and remove SMTP (Send E-mail) service from that group object 
   
   
5. After making sure that no rules or service group is using SMTP (Send E-mail) service, you should be able to enable Antispam service
   
   

Resolution for SonicOS 6.5

This release includes significant user interface changes and many new features that are different from the SonicOS 6.2 and earlier firmware. The below resolution is for customers using SonicOS 6.5 firmware.

1. Navigate to Manage | Policies | Rules | Access rules 
2.  Set matrix, From zone: WAN and To zone: LAN ( Note : If the exchange server is connected to DMZ zone, then select From zone : WAN and To zone : DMZ)
3. If any rule is using SMTP (Send E-mail) service, disable the rule or delete 
   
   
4. If any rule is using SMTP (Send E-mail) in a service group, navigate to Manage | Policies | Objects | Service objects | service groups and remove SMTP (Send E-mail) service from that group object 
   
   
5. After making sure that no rules or service group is using SMTP (Send E-mail) service, you should be able to enable Antispam service
    

Resolution for SonicOS 6.2 and Below

The below resolution is for customers using SonicOS 6.2 and earlier firmware. For firewalls that are generation 6 and newer we suggest to upgrade to the latest general release of SonicOS 6.5 firmware.

1. Navigate to Firewall | Access rules and choose view style as matrix, select From zone: WAN and To zone: LAN ( Note : If the exchange server is connected to DMZ zone, then select From zone : WAN and To zone : DMZ).
2. Place the cursor on service groups and check if it contains SMTP(Send E-Mail) service in the service group. 
3. If it contains SMTP (Send E-mail)TCP port  25 like shown in the  below screenshot
4. Navigate to Network | Services | Service groups 
5. Select the service group which contains SMTP(Send E-Mail) service, then select the SMTP(Send E-Mail) service and click on the left arrow so that will remove the SMTP(Send E-Mail) service from the group and click OK to save the changes.
   
6.  Navigate to Antis-Spam | settings and you should now be able to enable Anti-Spam Service