Auto-reply messages are commonly used to notify senders when an email account owner is unavailable. In Plesk, you can enable automatic replies per mailbox and control how long the response remains active.
This feature is typically configured on environments managed through Plesk hosting where email accounts are administered at the domain level.
When Auto-Reply Messages Are Useful
Auto-replies are often enabled when:
- A user is out of the office
- Support availability is limited
- Emails need to be acknowledged automatically
Properly configured auto-replies help manage expectations and reduce repeated follow-ups.
Enabling an Auto-Reply Message
Étape 1: Open the mailbox settings
Log in to the Plesk control panel.
From the left sidebar, faire un clic Mail and select the email address you want to configure.
[Screenshot: Mail section with selected mailbox]
Étape 2: Configure auto-reply options
Ouvrez le Auto-Reply languette.
Activer Switch on auto-reply.
Choose the message format, either plain text or HTML.
Enter the auto-reply message content. Keep the message clear and concise.
En option, specify a forwarding address if another recipient should receive a copy of incoming messages.
[Screenshot: Auto-reply configuration screen]
Étape 3: Set an automatic end date
If the auto-reply should stop automatically, enable the option to switch it off on a specific date and select the desired end date.
Faire un clic OK to save the settings.
Verifying Auto-Reply Behavior
After saving the configuration:
- Send a test message from an external address
- Confirm the auto-reply is delivered correctly
- Verify formatting and content
Auto-replies work independently of spam filtering but are often used together with solutions like Experts en spam for cleaner inbox management.
Practical Notes
- Avoid overly long auto-reply messages
- Do not include sensitive information
- Disable auto-replies when they are no longer needed
Auto-reply features are reliable on scalable setups such as serveurs cloud where multiple mailboxes may require temporary automation.