Troubleshooting Pardot Emails: Common Issues and Solutions

Pardot (now Marketing Cloud Account Engagement) is a powerful email marketing platform that can boost your campaign performance. But even experienced marketers face frustrating technical challenges that can reduce their effectiveness. This guide explores the most common problems with Pardot emails and offers practical solutions to help you get the most from your email marketing efforts.

Understanding Common Pardot Email Issues

Email marketing remains one of the most effective channels for engaging prospects and nurturing leads. The technical complexity behind email rendering and delivery can create roadblocks that prevent your carefully crafted messages from reaching their full potential.

The most common issues with Pardot emails include:

1. Rendering inconsistencies across different email clients
2. Personalization and dynamic content failures
3. Technical configuration problems affecting delivery
4. Testing and quality assurance challenges
5. Template save and publish errors
6. Version control limitations

Let's explore each area and look at practical solutions.

Email Rendering and Display Problems

Email rendering varies dramatically across email clients, creating inconsistent experiences for your recipients. What looks perfect in Gmail might appear broken in Outlook or on mobile devices.

Why Emails Look Different Across Clients

Email clients interpret HTML and CSS differently. Outlook is especially problematic because it uses Microsoft Word's rendering engine to display emails, which limits support for modern HTML and CSS.

Fixing Broken or Distorted Images

Images often break first in emails. Here's how to fix common image issues:

1. Use correct image URLs with HTTPS (not HTTP)
2. Keep image file sizes small (under 200KB per image)
3. Stick with standard formats (JPEG, PNG, GIF) instead of newer ones like WebP
4. Add descriptive ALT text for accessibility and when images are blocked
5. Check Pardot attributes like pardot-width and pardot-height

If you use the Email Template Builder in Lightning, avoid a common mistake: uploading images directly to templates instead of using Salesforce CMS can flag your template as "Contains Salesforce Files," preventing it from being used in email sends. Always upload images to CMS first, then add them to your template.

For Outlook-specific image issues, pay attention to the mso-line-height-rule CSS property. If set to "exactly," Outlook may crop images or content. Change it to "at-least" to prevent content truncation.

Mobile Responsiveness Solutions

With over 80% of email users opening emails on mobile devices, responsive design is essential. Many marketers still overlook this critical aspect:

• Add a meta viewport tag: <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
• Use fluid table widths (set tables to 100% width) and percentage-based images
• Keep email width at a maximum of 600px
• Use single-column layouts for better mobile readability
• Test on actual mobile devices or with Pardot's rendering preview tools

Addressing these rendering issues ensures your emails look professional across all devices and email clients.

Personalization and Dynamic Content Challenges

Personalization increases engagement but often causes errors in Pardot emails. From empty merge fields to incorrect dynamic content, these issues can undermine your personalization efforts.

Diagnosing Handlebars Merge Language (HML) Issues

Pardot has moved from the older Pardot Merge Language (using %%first_name%% syntax) to Handlebars Merge Language (HML) which uses {{Recipient.FirstName}} syntax. This change offers more flexibility but can create confusion.

Common HML issues include:

• Syntax errors: Missing closing braces or unclosed if/else statements
• Field name mismatches: Using incorrect field API names
• Empty data: No fallback values when field data is missing

When troubleshooting HML, check your syntax carefully. Pardot validates HML when saving templates and will stop you from saving if there are syntax errors. This helps prevent sending emails with broken personalization.

Solutions for Variable Tag Population Issues

If your merge fields aren't working correctly:

1. Use test lists instead of basic tests: Sending a basic test email with the "Send Test" button won't populate variable tags. Create a test list with team members as prospects for accurate testing.
2. Check field data and syntax: Make sure the prospect has data in the field you're referencing, and you're using the correct field name.
3. Set default values: For each Pardot field, set a default merge value that will appear if the field is empty (e.g., default first name to "Friend" so "Dear Friend" appears if the first name is missing).

Look for sync issues: If you're pulling data from Salesforce, make sure the connector works properly and data syncs correctly between systems.

Troubleshooting Dynamic Content Display

Dynamic content in Pardot shows different content based on prospect data. If your dynamic content isn't working:

1. Check prospect field values: Dynamic content rules need specific field values. Make sure your test prospects have the correct field values to trigger the right content.
2. Review default content: If a prospect doesn't match any rule, they'll see the default content. Always make your default content meaningful, not blank, to avoid confusion during testing.
3. Use preview and test lists: Use Pardot's preview dropdown to simulate different prospect scenarios, or send to a test list with prospects that have different field values.
4. Check plain text versions: If using a text-only email, dynamic content needs special handling; remove the HTML wrapper around dynamic content in the plain-text version.

Properly implementing and testing personalization creates more engaging emails that connect with recipients.

Technical Configuration and Integration Issues

Beyond content and design, technical problems can prevent your emails from working properly or reaching inboxes.

Resolving Pardot-Salesforce Sync Problems

If your emails contain wrong data from Salesforce, check these possible sync issues:

1. Field sync behavior settings: Each Pardot field mapping to Salesforce has sync behavior (e.g., use Salesforce's value, use Pardot's value, or most recently updated wins). Make sure these settings match your expectations.
2. Sync timing: The Pardot-Salesforce connector syncs about every 2-4 minutes. If you updated data in Salesforce and immediately sent a Pardot email, the change might not have synced yet. Allow time between updates and sends.

Check for sync errors: Look at Pardot's Sync Error queue (in Settings > Connectors) to find and fix any failed syncs affecting your data.

Fixing Broken Links and Tracking Problems

Link issues can ruin an otherwise successful email campaign. Here's how to fix common link problems:

1. Check URL formats: Make sure all URLs include the proper protocol (https://) and don't have typos or extra spaces.
2. Test all links before sending: Click every link in your test emails to verify they go to the right place.
3. Verify tracker domain setup: Pardot link tracking works through your tracker domain. If links aren't redirecting properly, check that your tracker domain has the correct CNAME and SSL certificate.
4. Be careful with special characters: Make sure special characters in URLs are properly encoded.
5. Understand link tracking quirks: Some clicks may register that aren't from users - for example, email clients retrieving custom web fonts linked in the email head can register as clicks. Consider this when analyzing metrics.

Deliverability and Inbox Placement

Even perfectly designed emails are useless if they never reach the inbox. Here's how to solve deliverability issues:

Authentication Setup

Email authentication is critical for deliverability:

1. SPF (Sender Policy Framework): Add Pardot's sending servers to your SPF record.
2. DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail): Set up DKIM in Pardot by creating a domain key and adding it as a DNS record.
3. DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication): Make sure your DMARC policy allows Pardot to send on your behalf.

Properly configured authentication proves to ISPs that your emails are legitimate, improving inbox placement.

Content-Related Spam Triggers

Certain content elements can trigger spam filters:

• Too many capital letters, dollar signs, or exclamation points
• Phrases like "Free!!!" or "Act Now!"
• Too many images with little text
• URL shorteners (bit.ly, etc.)
• Broken links or misconfigured Reply-To addresses

Pardot offers a Spam Analysis tool (Test > +New Render > Spam Analysis) that checks your email against common spam filters and gives specific feedback on potential issues.

Testing Strategies for Pardot Emails

Thorough testing helps avoid embarrassing mistakes and ensures your emails work as intended.

Building an Effective Testing Workflow

Create a pre-flight checklist that includes:

1. Checking all merge fields populate correctly
2. Testing all links (both functionality and tracking)
3. Reviewing images (loading, alt text, sizing)
4. Looking at both desktop and mobile rendering
5. Reading the text version of the email
6. Checking spam score
7. Confirming sender information accuracy

The Difference Between "Send Test" vs. Test Lists

Pardot offers two main testing methods, each with specific purposes:

For thorough testing, create a Test List with internal team members as prospects. This shows exactly what recipients will see, including personalization and working tracked links.

Always use Test Lists for final testing before important sends. This is the only way to verify that merge fields and dynamic content are working correctly.

Template Save and Publish Errors

Template errors can be frustrating and prevent your emails from being sent. Here are common issues:

HML Syntax Errors

When using Handlebars Merge Language (HML), Pardot validates your syntax when saving. If there's an error (like a missing closing tag), Pardot will prevent saving until fixed. Check for unclosed {{#if}} statements or missing braces.

"Contains Salesforce Files" Error

In the Lightning Email Template Builder, if you directly upload images to a template instead of using Salesforce CMS, you'll get this error when trying to use the template in an email send. Remove the direct uploads and use CMS-hosted images instead.

Save Issues in Drag-and-Drop Builder

Sometimes the builder won't save your template. This might happen if:

1. A content block exceeds character limits (around 131,000 characters per HTML block)
2. You've included unsupported elements (like scripts)
3. There's a browser or session issue

Try splitting large content blocks into smaller ones or removing any unsupported elements.

How No-Code Editors Like Knak Eliminate Template Errors

Knak's no-code email editor eliminates many common template errors by providing a stable environment built specifically for creating error-free email templates. Knak produces responsive emails that work flawlessly across various platforms because they incorporate email template building best practices directly into the editor itself. By using a dedicated tool like Knak instead of wrestling with Pardot's native editors, marketers can focus on creating compelling content rather than troubleshooting technical issues.

Version Control and Template Management

Pardot doesn't offer built-in version history for templates, which can cause headaches when something needs to be changed or reverted.

Creating a Version Control System

Implement your own version control by:

1. Cloning templates before editing: Before making major changes, clone the template with a new version number (e.g., "Newsletter v2")
2. Documenting changes: Keep notes of what changed between versions
3. Backing up HTML: Save copies of template HTML outside Pardot for major templates

Dealing with Limited Undo Options

The classic Pardot editor has very limited undo functionality. The new drag-and-drop builder has an Undo button, but it only works for recent changes in the current editing session.

To avoid losing work:

• Save frequently
• Clone templates before major edits
• Test changes incrementally rather than all at once

Prevention Strategies and Best Practices

Beyond fixing issues, use these prevention strategies to minimize future problems:

Email Template Design Principles

1. Keep it simple: Simpler designs render more consistently across email clients
2. Use table-based layouts: Tables provide the most reliable structure for email
3. Inline critical CSS: Don't rely on style blocks or external stylesheets
4. Avoid complex HTML/CSS: Features like floats, flexbox, or positioning don't work well
5. Use version control: Clone templates before making major edits to save working versions

CSS and Layout Best Practices

1. Set mso-line-height-rule to "at-least": This prevents Outlook from cropping content
2. Use standard fonts with fallbacks: Web fonts may not display in all clients
3. Avoid nested tables more than 3 levels deep: Complex nesting can break in some clients
4. Keep content width under 600px: This ensures good viewing on most devices

Documentation and Testing Protocols

Develop standard processes for your team:

1. Create template documentation: Document the purpose and usage guidelines for each template
2. Use clear naming conventions: Apply consistent naming for templates and folders
3. Create testing checklists: Make sure every email goes through the same quality checks
4. Do peer reviews: Have team members review each other's emails before sending

No-Code Solutions: The Smarter Way to Create Pardot Emails

While troubleshooting Pardot email issues helps resolve immediate problems, preventing these headaches is more efficient. No-code email builders like Knak offer a comprehensive solution that eliminates the technical limitations of Pardot's native email creation.

How Knak Transforms Email Marketing

Knak directly addresses the core challenges of Pardot email creation. It automatically generates responsive, cross-client compatible code that works reliably in all email clients without requiring technical expertise. The platform simplifies personalization, preserves template flexibility, provides robust version control, and offers integrated testing—all while maintaining seamless integration with Pardot.

This approach delivers significant benefits: 95% faster campaign launches, 5x cost reduction compared to developer resources, perfect brand consistency across teams, and creative freedom without technical limitations. With emails created in an average of just 22 minutes, marketers can focus on strategy and content rather than troubleshooting technical issues.

For organizations serious about Pardot email marketing, Knak eliminates problems at their source—transforming email creation from a technical obstacle course into a streamlined marketing activity that drives better results with significantly less effort.