When your DHL tracking shows "Delivery Attempted" or "Delivery attempt failed," it means the DHL courier came to your address but was unable to complete delivery. The package is now back at the DHL facility awaiting your next steps.
This status indicates a delivery problem that prevented the courier from leaving your package. Understanding why helps ensure successful completion. Your package was Out for Delivery before this appeared. Track your package at DHL Tracking. Similar to FedEx Delivery Attempted and UPS Delivery Attempted, this requires action to receive your package.
What It Means
"Delivery Attempted" confirms the DHL courier physically went to your address with your package but could not complete delivery according to DHL delivery procedures.
This status means courier arrived at your address with package, something prevented successful delivery completion, package returned to local DHL service center or facility, DHL typically left a delivery notice card with instructions, and you'll need to take action for redelivery or pickup.
Common reasons for attempted delivery: signature required when nobody was home to sign (most common for DHL Express and high-value shipments), business closed during delivery hours (commercial addresses), address inaccessible due to locked gate, construction, or obstacles, no safe location where courier determined unsafe to leave package unattended, aggressive dog or pet preventing safe access to delivery location, or apartment/building access issues when courier couldn't reach unit.
What happens after delivery attempt: courier scans package as "Delivery Attempted" with reason code, package returns to local DHL service center same day, DHL updates tracking with attempt reason and next steps, delivery notice card left at your address shows tracking number and options, and DHL typically makes 2-3 delivery attempts before holding for pickup or returning to sender.
Delivery notice provides crucial information: your tracking number, date and time of delivery attempt, specific reason delivery couldn't be completed, options for redelivery scheduling or facility pickup, how to authorize signature release if applicable for your package type, and DHL service point location for pickup if you choose that option.
Delivery Attempted differs from successful delivery: Out for Delivery means package is coming today, "Delivered" means you received it successfully, "Delivery Attempted" means courier tried but failed, and "Held for pickup" may follow after final attempt. Similar to UPS failed attempts, this requires your action to complete delivery.
Why It Happens
Delivery attempts fail when couriers encounter obstacles preventing safe and proper package delivery per DHL service standards.
Signature requirements are the leading cause: DHL Express packages often require direct signature when nobody's home, high-value shipments requiring signature when nobody 18+ available, business signature required during non-business hours, or international shipments requiring customs signature and recipient verification.
Access and safety issues prevent delivery: locked gates or doors preventing access to delivery location, aggressive or loose dogs making approach unsafe for courier, construction or obstacles blocking access to address, apartment or condo buildings with locked entry and no response to buzzer, or temporary issues like snow blocking driveway or walkways.
Address and location problems: address incomplete or unclear (missing apartment/unit number making unit unlocatable), business or recipient not found at address during delivery attempt, delivery location deemed not safe or secure for unattended packages, multiple units at same address causing confusion about correct recipient, or address that doesn't match DHL's mapping systems.
Recipient availability issues: residential deliveries attempted when nobody home during business hours, business deliveries when business is closed or unmanned, recipient requested specific delivery time but wasn't available, scheduled delivery appointments missed by recipient, or recipient traveling/on vacation without arranging hold or redirect.
Package characteristics requiring extra care: high-value DHL Express packages requiring signature that courier won't leave unattended, oversized or heavy packages requiring assistance or signature, items requiring age verification (must see ID proving 21+), or packages flagged for special handling due to contents or sender requirements.
Security concerns: courier observed porch pirate activity or theft concerns in area, previous theft reports at your address triggering extra caution, neighborhood patterns requiring signatures for security, package value exceeding unattended delivery threshold for that location, or commercial/business addresses requiring verified receipt.
Unlike general DHL In Transit delays beyond your control, delivery attempts often result from recipient availability or access issues you can address. Similar to FedEx delivery problems, recipient action prevents repeat failures.
Should You Be Concerned?
"Delivery Attempted" requires action but isn't concerning if you address the underlying issue quickly.
Take immediate action for: time-sensitive packages approaching deadlines (medications, perishables, event tickets), high-value DHL Express packages you want secured quickly, signature-required packages when you work during delivery hours, packages that have had multiple delivery attempts (2nd or 3rd attempt), or when you won't be available during DHL's next delivery attempt.
Less urgent but still important: general merchandise delivery attempts with flexible timing, packages where you can easily schedule redelivery or pickup, attempts due to temporary issues you've now resolved (gate unlocked, dog secured), or when you can conveniently pick up from DHL service point.
Options to prevent repeat failed attempts: schedule redelivery for specific date when you'll be home, arrange pickup at DHL service point at your convenience (find locations at DHL Service Point Locator), provide delivery instructions (gate codes, safe locations, specific timing), authorize signature release if package eligible, or sign delivery notice card to authorize unattended delivery for eligible packages.
What happens after multiple attempts: DHL typically makes 2-3 delivery attempts over 2-3 business days, after final attempt, package is held at DHL service point or facility for pickup (usually 5-7 days), you'll receive notification about pickup location and hours, if not picked up within timeframe, package may be returned to sender.
Financial implications: redelivery attempts are typically free (no extra charges), however, if package returns to sender after failed attempts, sender may charge you for reshipment, shipping fees already paid are lost if package returns, and time-sensitive items may expire or become useless if delayed.
Preventing future failed attempts: provide complete delivery addresses with all access information (apartment numbers, gate codes), use DHL notification services to manage deliveries proactively, ensure someone available for signature packages during typical delivery hours, consider DHL service point delivery during checkout when available, or select evening/Saturday delivery if daytime unavailability is systemic.
Compare to other carriers: UPS delivery attempts work similarly with 2-3 attempts, FedEx attempts follow comparable procedures, and all carriers hold packages for pickup after final attempt. Similar to USPS procedures, after attempts fail, pickup becomes necessary.
When to Contact the Carrier
Contact DHL when you see "Delivery Attempted" to understand why it happened and coordinate successful delivery per DHL customer support.
Call DHL immediately for: unclear why delivery was attempted (tracking doesn't explain reason), you believe your address is accessible and should have been delivered, you received no delivery notice card or notification, delivery attempt seems erroneous (you were home during delivery window), time-sensitive package that must deliver urgently, or you want to arrange same-day redelivery or pickup if possible.
Use DHL online services first: check tracking at DHL Tracking for attempt reason and next steps, schedule redelivery online for convenient date, find nearby DHL service points for pickup at DHL Service Point Locator, set up delivery preferences and notifications through DHL online account, or view delivery options available for your specific package.
Call DHL customer service with tracking number ready. For DHL Express: call 1-800-225-5345 in US. Ask specific questions: why was delivery attempted, when will next delivery attempt occur, can you schedule specific delivery date and time, how to authorize signature release if eligible, options to pick up at DHL service point instead of redelivery, or how to provide gate codes and access instructions.
Schedule redelivery: use DHL's online tools to select redelivery date when you'll be home, provide special delivery instructions or access codes, specify safe delivery location if package doesn't require signature, authorize neighbor to accept delivery if allowed, or arrange specific time window if DHL offers that for your service level.
Arrange pickup at DHL service point: find convenient location at DHL Service Point Locator, package typically held for 5-7 days, bring government-issued photo ID and tracking number, verify service point hours before visiting, or request package transfer to different location if first is inconvenient.
Provide delivery information: explain access requirements for your address, provide gate codes or building entry instructions, specify business hours if commercial address, describe how to navigate to your location, or clarify safe delivery locations.
Contact the sender when: delivery address needs correction (sender must update), you no longer want item due to delivery delays (request refund), multiple attempts failing and you need sender to coordinate with DHL, commercial shipments requiring sender authorization for delivery changes, or you want sender to redirect to different address.
Preventive measures for future shipments: sign up for DHL notification services before packages ship for proactive alerts, provide comprehensive delivery instructions in advance, use DHL service point delivery during checkout when available, ensure correct complete address with all access information, or select delivery time preferences if service allows. Similar to preventing UPS delivery failures, proactive address and delivery management is essential.