How to Fix WordPress Not Sending Emails: (Ultimate Guide)

Are you struggling with the frustrating issue of your WordPress not sending emails? This common problem can lead to missed contact form submissions, password reset requests, order confirmations, and other important notifications.

If your website relies on emails to communicate with users, customers, or team members, this issue needs immediate attention. Fortunately, you can fix it by understanding the cause and applying the right solution.

In this guide, we’ll explain why WordPress emails fail and how to fix the problem using different methods, including SMTP configuration and troubleshooting common issues.

Let’s dive in.

How does WordPress Send Emails?

By default, WordPress uses the PHP mail() function to send emails. This function allows WordPress to send emails directly from the server without requiring any additional setup.

It is a built-in, lightweight solution that makes it convenient for websites to handle email notifications, such as password resets, form submissions, and user registration confirmations.

It does not provide proper authentication, which can be exploited by spammers to send phishing emails, leading hosts to block or restrict its usage.

Also, it does not support TLS or SSL encryption, making it less secure for transmitting sensitive information.

Why Is WordPress Not Sending Emails?

If WordPress is not sending emails, one or more of these issues may be the cause:

1. Web Hosting Restrictions

Some web hosts limit or disable email sending through PHP mail(). This is common on shared hosting plans.

2. Emails Marked as Spam

Emails without proper authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) or those sent from generic addresses (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo) are often marked as spam or blocked entirely.

3. Incorrect Email Settings

Incorrect configurations in WordPress may prevent emails from being sent.

4. Plugin Conflicts

Email-related plugins, security plugins, caching plugins, or outdated plugins can interfere with email functionality. 

5. Invalid Recipient Email Addresses

If users enter invalid or mistyped email addresses, messages may fail to send.

How to Fix WordPress Not Sending Emails Issue?

There are several methods to verify what’s causing emails failing to send in WordPress and how to fix it.

Method 1: Check Email Settings in WordPress

First, confirm your email settings in the WordPress admin panel. Navigate to Settings > General.

On the General Setting page, ensure you have the correct email address set under “Administration Email Address.”

This is important as it’s used for notifications and user registrations.

Ideally, use an email that matches your domain. For instance, use [email protected] instead of a generic Gmail account. This can help avoid delivery issues.

Method 2: Verify Plugin Conflicts

Plugins can sometimes interfere with email functionality. Deactivate all your plugins and check if emails are sent successfully. If they are, reactivate your plugins one by one. This helps identify any specific plugin causing the problem.

Look for contact forms or email-related plugins, as they are common sources of issues.

Discover top Contact Form Plugins for your WordPress site.

Check for updates for all plugins. Outdated plugins can cause conflicts with your site’s email functions.

If a plugin is found to be the issue, consider reaching out to the developer for support or find an alternative plugin that offers similar features without conflict.

Method 3: Contact Hosting Provider

Contact your hosting support for specific details. Ask if PHP mail() is disabled, if so then you must set up SMTP.

Also, ask your host whether SPF (Sender Policy Framework), DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail), and DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance) records are configured correctly.

SPF: Prevents email spoofing by specifying which mail servers can send emails on behalf of a domain.

DKIM: Adds a digital signature to verify email authenticity.

DMARC: Tells email providers how to handle unauthenticated emails (reject, quarantine, or allow).

Some hosting providers do not automatically configure these records, in that case, users must set them up in their DNS settings (e.g., Cloudflare, cPanel, or their domain registrar).

However, if email limits are an issue, consider upgrading your hosting plan or using a dedicated email service.

Method 4: Ensure User Email Verification

Email verification can be essential for ensuring that users receive emails. If users are not confirming their email addresses, your site might not send them content. Check if your site requires users to verify their email before sending notifications.

Consider using plugins that send a verification email upon registration. This ensures that the email address is valid. Follow up by monitoring any bounced emails that could indicate incorrect email addresses.

Address these user email issues early to enhance communication and reduce potential complications in the long run.

Method 5: Use SMTP to Improve Email Delivery

Using SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) can significantly improve the reliability of email delivery from your WordPress site. It helps ensure that your emails do not end up in spam folders. Here’s how it works and what you need to know.

Benefits of SMTP Over PHP Mail Function

Using the PHP mail function may seem convenient, but it has many drawbacks. SMTP offers several advantages that can improve your email delivery:

• Improved Deliverability: SMTP is less likely to be flagged as spam compared to PHP mail. This means your emails reach their destination more reliably.
• Authentication: SMTP allows you to authenticate with a username and password. This helps verify that you are a legitimate sender.
• Error Handling: SMTP provides clearer error messages for failed deliveries. This makes troubleshooting easier.

Switching to SMTP can provide a more trustworthy method for sending emails from your WordPress site.

How to Set Up SMTP in WordPress?

To set up SMTP on your WordPress site, follow these steps:

Choose a reliable SMTP plugin, such as WP Mail SMTP or Easy WP SMTP, from the WordPress plugin repository.

Then, go to your WordPress dashboard. Click on Plugins > Add New Plugin.

Search for your chosen plugin, install it, and activate it.

Next, you need to configure SMTP Settings. In the plugin settings, input your SMTP server information. This includes your email address, SMTP host (like smtp.gmail.com), port number (like 587), username, and password.

Use the built-in testing feature in the plugin to make sure emails are sent correctly.

Taking these steps will set you up for better email delivery.

How to Choose an SMTP Service Provider?

Selecting the right SMTP service provider is crucial. Look for these features:

• Reputation: Choose a well-known provider with good reviews, like SendGrid, Mailgun, or Amazon SES. A reputable provider improves delivery rates.
• Email Limits: Check for monthly email limits that fit your needs. Some providers offer free tiers, which can be ideal for smaller sites.
• Support and Documentation: Good support is important in case you run into issues. Make sure the provider offers comprehensive guides and customer assistance.
• Security Features: Look for options like SSL or TLS encryption to keep your emails secure.

Choosing the right SMTP service provider will enhance your email-sending capabilities and overall communication with your audience.

Suggested Read: How to Add Two-Factor Authentication in WordPress

Method 6: Manage Email Queue and Caching Issues

Sometimes, emails get stuck in the queue due to caching or server load. Follow these steps to manage issues:

1. Monitor Email Queue: Use plugins like WP Mail SMTP to check your email queue. If emails are stuck, you might need to clear the queue or resend them.
2. Adjust Caching Settings: If you use caching plugins, ensure they do not cache email-related pages or forms. Disable caching features temporarily to see if it resolves issues.
3. Check Server Load: A high server load can slow down email processing. Review your hosting plan and consider upgrading if you frequently hit resource limits.

By addressing these specific areas, you can enhance your WordPress email functionality and reduce issues effectively.

Bonus: Enable Login Email Notification for Better Security

In addition to fixing email-sending issues, enhancing your WordPress site’s security with login email notifications can be really helpful. These notifications help you track login activity, alerting you to any unauthorized access attempts.

For those who want an easy way to monitor login activity, Nexter provides built-in security features, including real-time login email notifications.

With the Nexter Extension, you can set up real-time email alerts whenever someone logs into your site, ensuring greater security and monitoring.

Plus, Nexter’s built-in security features provide an extra layer of protection to safeguard your website from potential threats.

To learn how it works, check this blog to find out ‘How to Set Up Login Email Notification’.

Wrapping Up

Ensuring that your WordPress site reliably sends emails is crucial for maintaining smooth communication with users, customers, and team members. Whether it’s transactional emails, contact form notifications, or password resets, resolving email delivery issues can prevent missed messages and improve user experience.

By understanding the common reasons behind WordPress email failures and implementing solutions discussed in this blog, you can significantly improve email deliverability.

To further enhance your site’s security and performance, we recommend using Nexter. 

Nexter provides Nexter Theme (one of the fastest and most lightweight WordPress themes), Nexter Extension, and Nexter Blocks (90+ Gutenberg Blocks, including a customizable Login Form).

With Nexter, you get a powerful, all-in-one solution for building and securing your WordPress site.

Explore Nexter’s pricing plans to unlock all features at a budget that suits you.

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