ESME_RBINDFAIL in SMPP

What is ESME_RBINDFAIL?

ESME_RBINDFAIL (Error Code: 0x00000005) is an SMPP error indicating that the bind request (transmitter, receiver, or transceiver) failed.

Possible Causes

  • Incorrect system_id or password in the bind request.
  • The SMSC is rejecting the bind request due to account restrictions.
  • The SMSC does not recognize the provided credentials.
  • Too many concurrent connections from the same ESME account.
  • The SMSC has disabled the account due to policy violations or non-payment.
  • IP whitelisting is enforced, and the request is coming from an unapproved IP.

When Does It Happen?

This error occurs when sending a bind_transmitter, bind_receiver, or bind_transceiver PDU, and the SMSC rejects the request.

Example SMPP PDU Transaction

Incorrect bind_transmitter PDU (Invalid Credentials)

0000001F (Length)
00000002 (Command ID for bind_transmitter)
00000000 (Command Status)
00000001 (Sequence Number)
74657374 7573657200 (System ID: "testuser")
70617373 776F726400 (Password: "password")
534D5050 0000 (System Type: "SMPP")
34 (Interface Version)
00 (Address TON)
00 (Address NPI)
00 (Address Range)

Response PDU (bind_transmitter_resp) with ESME_RBINDFAIL

00000010 (Length)
80000002 (Command ID for bind_transmitter_resp)
00000005 (Command Status - ESME_RBINDFAIL)
00000001 (Sequence Number)

Issue: The system_id or password is incorrect, or the account is restricted.

How to Solve It?

  • Verify that the system_id and password are correct.
  • Ensure that the account has the necessary permissions to bind.
  • Check if there are too many active connections and close unused sessions.
  • Confirm with the SMSC provider that the account is active and not restricted.
  • Ensure that the connection is coming from an approved IP address (if whitelisting is enforced).
  • Enable debugging logs to inspect the exact values being sent in the PDU.

If the issue persists, contact the SMSC provider to check for any account restrictions or required changes.

More information