- WordPress Doesn’t Send Emails Properly: Here’s Why
- Ways of Solving the WordPress not sending emails problem
- Method 1: Use an SMTP Plugin
- Method 2: Check Email Sending Settings in Forms Plugins
- Method 3: Method 3: Read Your Hosts Mail Policy
- Method 4: Select a Third Party E-mail Provider
- Method 5: Monitor Email Logs
- Some Important Measures in Order to Avoid Such Problems in the Future
- Conclusion
Are you frustrated because your WordPress not sending emails issue is affecting essential notifications like password resets or contact form submissions? This is a common issue with many website owners especially if they are using the regular WordPress mail system to send out crucial messages including account sign up confirmations, password resets, form submissions among others. In cases where these emails do not send as programmed, it could create a lot of trouble in terms of user experience as well as on site functionalities. Thankfully, there are several efficient mean to solve this issue. In this guide, you will find several solutions for the WordPress not sending emails problem in 2025.
WordPress Doesn’t Send Emails Properly: Here’s Why
WordPress mainly employs the use of the PHP mail() function to post the emails. However, many hosting providers either block or seriously limit this function for various reasons, including fighting spam – one of the main causes of this problem. There could be other reasons; for instance, wrong email configuration or absence of authentication. Let’s take a closer look at some of the common reasons:
- Server Configuration Issues: Often, your hosting provider can deny all outgoing emails due to spam issues.
- Incorrect Email Settings: If the address from which those emails are being sent is not recognized as tied to your domain or if little or no validation was done, then no mails get through.
- Spam Filters: Some of the messages are sent and can end up being received but in the spam folder only.
- Plugin Conflicts: Some plugins might hinder the process of sending emails and such plugins may include the form or SMTP plugins.
Ways of Solving the WordPress not sending emails problem
Method 1: Use an SMTP Plugin
I have found that the best way to solve WordPress not sending emails this problem is to adopt an SMTP plugin into your app. Unlike PHP’s own mail() functioning, SMTP makes sure that each message is authenticated before it is delivered across an authorized server.
Enable SMTP in WordPress
Install an SMTP Plugin
Popular plugins include:
1. WP Mail SMTP
2. Easy WP SMTP
3. Post SMTP
Configure the SMTP Plugin
Once you have installed the plugin, you will have to set it by completing the fields with your email service provider’s SMTP configuration. Common providers include:
1. Gmail: SMTP , server – smtp.gmail.com, Port-587
2. Outlook: SMTP server – smtp.office365.com, Port – 587
3. Zoho Mail: SMTP server: smtp.zoho.com, port : 587
Add Authentication Details
You have to input your email address, username, and password liked by your SMTP provider. Make certain that you turn on for security transfer the appropriate protocol of transfer like TLS/SSL.
Test the Configuration
In most of the cases, SMTP plugins will contain a test feature. It will prove useful when you want to test and ensure that an email you sent has been received well.
Method 2: Check Email Sending Settings in Forms Plugins
If the WordPress not sending emails issue occurs with contact forms, the problem might be with the form plugin (Contact Form 7, WPForms etc.) settings. Ensure the following:
- Email Address: To do this, make sure that the email address you have input your account belongs to your domain. For instance, if your website is
example.com, the use an email such as,admin@example.com. - From Name: Take care that the “From” name gets set correctly in the form plugin.
- Reply-To Header: Many plugin developers neglect setting up a correct Reply-To header in the form plugin settings to enhance email delivery.
Method 3: Method 3: Read Your Hosts Mail Policy
You should check with your hosting provider to find out if they allow PHP to send out emails. If they block it, you indeed will have no other choice but to go looking for an SMTP solution. Sometimes they will suggest that they provide you with email services that you can use firsthand.
Method 4: Select a Third Party E-mail Provider
If you heavily depend on email notifications on your website, consider using transactional email service. Such services focus on dependable delivery of messages and provide the appropriate log to report on any problems.
Popular services include:
Method 5: Monitor Email Logs
Some web-mail tools to track the outgoing messages include WP Mail Logging tools. This assists you in finding out if emails are indeed being created and then never delivered or if at all the creation of such emails is being prevented.
Some Important Measures in Order to Avoid Such Problems in the Future
- Always Use an Email Address from Your Domain: This enhances the possibility of the emails to be delivered and less possibility of the email to be flagged as spam.
- Authenticate Your Emails: To record SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, modify your domain settings associated with your domain’s DNS server. These authenticate methods enhance the credibility and chances of getting to the intended destination an email has.
- Keep Plugins and WordPress Updated: Since plugins are connected with the program the old plugins can be a source of compatibility problems that can result in e-mail failures.
Conclusion
The steps of resolving the WordPress not sending emails problem are not as time-consuming and difficult as it might seem. Possibilities include installing an SMTP plugin, setting up the form plugins properly, or applying a good third-party mail service to guarantee email distribution on your WordPress site. The steps outlined above will assist both the rookie user and an expert end user to avoid the inconveniences of email delivery. If you liked this guide see more tutorials on Code Junction to help with all things WordPress and web development!
