How to Fix WordPress Not Sending Email Issue

WordPress is a powerful content management system used by millions around the world. However, one common issue faced by its users is the failure of the system to send emails. This can happen in communication with users and affect website functionality like user registration, password recovery, and form notifications.

In this post, we will discuss how to troubleshoot and fix WordPress not sending emails. In most cases, the problem lies in WordPress PHP mail not working by default.

Understanding the Problem

WordPress uses the PHP mail() function to send out emails. Unfortunately, these PHP mail-based emails often encounter deliverability issues or WordPress emails end up in the spam folder. This happens because:

1. The server is not properly configured to use the PHP mail() function.
2. Emails sent directly from a server without proper authentication can be marked as spam.
3. Hosting providers may have mail-sending restrictions to prevent abuse.
4. Certain plugins can interfere with WordPress’s email-sending process. This might occur due to compatibility issues or incorrect plugin settings.

Resolving WordPress Not Sending Email Issue

Following are the steps to resolve WordPress not sending email issue on the website:

Step 1: Check for Plugin Conflicts

Sometimes plugins can interfere with how emails are sent. Deactivate all plugins and reactivate them one by one to identify if a plugin is causing the issue. You can do this by WordPress dashboard by navigating the plugin area:

Another method is from cPanel you can rename the plugin folder with the plugin.d. Here is the image of renaming the plugin folder in the wp-content folder:

Step 2: Use a SMTP Plugin

SMTP stands for Simple Mail Transfer Protocol is a standard for sending emails securely and reliably. By using a WordPress SMTP plugin, such as WP Mail SMTP or Easy WP SMTP, emails can be sent using proper authentication which improves email deliverability.

How to Set Up a SMTP Plugin

Install and Activate: Choose an SMTP plugin from the WordPress plugin section and install it on your site. For this tutorial, we use the Easy WP SMTP plugin. After installing click on activate button.

Configuration: Access the plugin settings and configure it with your SMTP details which include:

• SMTP Host
• SMTP Port
• Encryption usually TLS or SSL
• Authentication of your SMTP username and password

Step 3: Check Email Settings in WordPress

Ensure all WordPress settings related to emails such as “From Email Address” and “From Name” within your site or specific plugins like contact forms are correctly set.

Step 4: Test Your Emails

After setting up your SMTP plugin, use its built-in tools like the “Send Test Email” option to test sending emails from your WordPress site.

Here is the Gmail screenshot after successfully running the test email from the WordPress site:

Step 5: Use Third-Party Email Services

Consider using third-party transactional services like:

• SendGrid
• Amazon SES
• Postmark
• Mailgun

These services specialize in sending bulk emails with high deliverability rates and offer WordPress integration via their plugins or API.

Alternative Solutions

If using a plugin isn’t your preference, there are alternative approaches to resolve the WordPress not sending email solution:

• Check Server Configuration: If you are comfortable with technical aspects you can contact your hosting provider and inquire about enabling the PHP mail() function on your server.
• Examine Plugin Conflicts: If you suspect a plugin is causing the issue, temporarily deactivate all plugins and then reactivate them one by one while testing email functionality after each reactivation. This can help identify the problematic plugin.

Conclusion

WordPress not sending emails is a common but fixable issue. Using SMTP plugins to configure proper mail delivery protocols is typically the best solution. Remember to test your changes and ensure your WordPress settings match according to your chosen method of sending emails.

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