Bot cannot deliver private messages to users

[Emma_Fluffy]

I’m working on a Discord bot that should send private messages when users type certain keywords. Here’s my current implementation:

bot.on("message", async (msg) => {
  if (msg.content.includes("trigger word")) {
    msg.author.send({embeds: [myEmbed]});
  }
});

However, I keep getting this error response:

{
  "rawError": {
    "message": "Cannot send messages to this user",
    "code": 50007
  },
  "code": 50007,
  "status": 403,
  "method": "POST"
}

The bot should deliver an embed containing command information directly to the user’s private messages. What could be causing this issue and how can I fix it?

[Samuel87]

Error 50007 happens when users block DMs from non-friends or server members. I hit this exact problem building a moderation bot last year. You can’t override user privacy settings, so you need proper error handling. Wrap your DM attempt in try-catch and have a backup notification method. Send the embed as a channel reply with auto-delete, or use a dedicated bot-commands channel for notifications. You could also add an opt-in command for DMs, but you’ll need a database to track who’s consented.

[ExcitedGamer85]

The Problem:

Your Discord bot is failing to send private messages (DMs) to users, resulting in the error code 50007 (“Cannot send messages to this user”). This error typically occurs when a user has their privacy settings configured to block DMs from server members or bots. Your current code attempts to send an embed via msg.author.send({embeds: [myEmbed]}).

Understanding the “Why” (The Root Cause):

Discord’s privacy settings allow users to control who can send them direct messages. When a user blocks DMs from server members or bots, any attempt by your bot to send a DM will be rejected with error code 50007. This is a user-side restriction that your bot cannot override. Trying to force DMs will always fail in this scenario.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Implement Error Handling and Fallback: The most effective solution is to wrap your DM sending code in a try...catch block. If the msg.author.send() call fails (due to error 50007), handle the error gracefully and provide an alternative notification method. For example, you could send a message to the original channel where the trigger word was detected. This ensures that the user still receives the information, even if they’ve blocked DMs.

   bot.on("message", async (msg) => {
     if (msg.content.includes("trigger word")) {
       try {
         await msg.author.send({ embeds: [myEmbed] });
       } catch (error) {
         if (error.code === 50007) {
           await msg.channel.send({ embeds: [myEmbed], ephemeral: true }); //Ephemeral makes it only visible to the user
         } else {
           console.error("An unexpected error occurred:", error);
         }
       }
     }
   });
   

2. Consider Ephemeral Messages: Using ephemeral: true in the msg.channel.send() function makes the fallback message visible only to the user who triggered it, maintaining some level of privacy even within the channel. This is a good balance between providing information and respecting user privacy.

3. Alternative Notification Methods (Advanced): For more sophisticated applications, explore alternative notification methods such as reactions or a dedicated commands channel, but these options require more complex implementation involving database tracking or user interaction.

Common Pitfalls & What to Check Next:

• Incorrect Embed Structure: Double-check the structure of your myEmbed object. Ensure it’s correctly formatted according to Discord’s embed specifications. A malformed embed can also lead to errors, though not error code 50007.
• Bot Permissions: Verify that your bot has the necessary permissions in the server to send messages in the channel (if using the fallback).
• Rate Limits: If you’re sending many DMs or messages very quickly, you may hit Discord’s rate limits. Implement proper error handling for rate limits as well.

Still running into issues? Share your (sanitized) config files, the exact command you ran, and any other relevant details. The community is here to help!

[ethant]

yeah totally! this issue pops up a lot. Discord usually blocks bot DMs for peeps, so just add .catch(() => {}) after your send command to prevent crashes when users have DMs off. also, maybe try posting in the channel as a backup.