---
title: "How to Set Up SMTP Using Custom SMTP in WordPress?"
url: https://nexterwp.com/docs/set-up-smtp-using-custom-smtp-in-wordpress/
date: 2025-08-12
modified: 2026-08-18
author: "Aditya Sharma"
description: "Are your WordPress emails landing in the spam folder or not reaching users at all? By default, WordPress relies on the PHP mail function to send emails — but this..."
image: https://nexterwp.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/How-to-Set-Up-SMTP-Using-Custom-SMTP-in-WordPress-1024x538.jpg
word_count: 1329
---

# How to Set Up SMTP Using Custom SMTP in WordPress?

## Key Takeaways

- Nexter Extension (Free) configures Custom SMTP in WordPress from Nexter > Extensions > Utilities, then SMTP Email, the gear icon, and the Custom SMTP tab.
- Custom SMTP uses From Email, From Name, SMTP Host, SMTP Port, Encryption, Authentication, SMTP Username, and SMTP Password fields before the Connect SMTP button.
- Zoho Mail SMTP requires an app password, with smtp.zoho.com as the host and ports 2525 for None, 465 for SSL, and 587 for TLS.
- Gmail SMTP also requires an app password after enabling 2-Step Verification, with smtp.gmail.com as the host and ports 2525 for None, 465 for SSL, and 587 for TLS.

Are your WordPress emails landing in the spam folder or not reaching users at all? By default, WordPress relies on the PHP mail function to send emails — but this method is unreliable, especially with many hosting providers limiting or blocking it. As a result, essential emails like contact form submissions, order confirmations, and password resets often go undelivered.

This can cause serious issues, especially if you’re running a business or e-commerce website.

A better approach is to send emails using SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) — a method that ensures better email deliverability and avoids the spam folder.

With the [Nexter Extension (Free**)**](https://wordpress.org/plugins/nexter-extension/) plugin, you can easily configure Custom SMTP settings in WordPress. Whether you're using a transactional email service like Zoho Mail, Gmail SMTP or your own SMTP server, this setup ensures your site’s emails are sent reliably and securely.

[LIVE EXTENSION LINK](https://nexterwp.com/nexter-extensions/email-smtp-for-wordpress/)

 

## Learn via Video Tutorial

https://youtu.be/s0gDiK0RnsA?t=370

## How to Set Up Custom SMTP with the Nexter Extension

To set up a custom SMTP with Nexter Extension, from the WordPress Dashboard, go to **Nexter **>** Extensions** > **Utilities**.

Then go to the **SMTP Email **section, enable the toggle, and click on the gear icon (⚙).

![](https://nexterwp.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/enable-smtp-email-new.png)

It will open the SMTP Email pop-up, then go to the **Custom SMTP** tab.

In the **From Email **and **From Name** fields, you can add the sender's email ID and name.

In the **SMTP Host** field, you have to add the SMTP server name.

Then, in the **SMTP Port** field, you have to add the SMTP port number.

Then, from the **Encryption** section, you have to select the encryption type. Here you’ll find three options

**NONE** - No encryption. This is not recommended, as emails are sent in plain text and can be intercepted.

**SSL (Secure Sockets Layer)** - Encrypts the connection from the start. Often uses port **465**. Secure and widely used.

**TLS (Transport Layer Security)** - Starts as a plain connection and then upgrades to a secure one using encryption. Usually uses port **587**. Also secure and recommended.

**Auto TLS** - When **enabled**, the system tries to automatically start a TLS-encrypted session if the server supports it. Best used if you're unsure about server capabilities but still want security.

**Authentication** - When **enabled**, it tells the SMTP server to require a username and password for sending emails. Disabling it might be allowed only for trusted, internal servers.

After that, you have to enter the SMTP username and password in the **SMTP Username** and **SMTP Password** fields, respectively.

Once done, click on the **Connect SMTP** button.

If set up properly, you should see a successful connection message, and you can even send a test email to verify the connection.

### Set up SMTP with Zoho Mail

Do you want to use Zoho Mail to send your emails securely from your WordPress site? Then follow the steps.

To use Zoho Mail SMTP, you have to generate an app password.

#### Generate Zoho Mail App Password

1. Log in to your Zoho Mail account.

2. Click on the profile icon at the top right and then click on **My Account**.

![zoho-mail-app-pass-1](https://nexterwp.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/zoho-mail-app-pass-1.png)

3. On the next page, click on **Security** from the left sidebar.

![zoho-mail-app-pass-2](https://nexterwp.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/zoho-mail-app-pass-2.png)

4. You might have to verify your account. 

![zoho-mail-app-pass-3](https://nexterwp.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/zoho-mail-app-pass-3.png)

5. Once done, on the next page, click on **App Passwords** under Security from the left sidebar. Then click on the **Generate New Password** button. 

![zoho-mail-app-pass-4](https://nexterwp.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/zoho-mail-app-pass-4.png)

6. In the pop-up, enter an app name (for reference only) and click on the **Generate** button.

![zoho-mail-app-pass-5](https://nexterwp.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/zoho-mail-app-pass-5.png)

7. Now you’ll see the app password. Click on the **Click to Copy** link to copy it and save it in a notepad.

![zoho-mail-app-pass-6](https://nexterwp.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/zoho-mail-app-pass-6.png)

> *Note: Once you close the pop-up, you won’t be able to see the password again. You have to create a new app and generate a new password.*

#### Zoho Mail SMTP Details

You would also need other [Zoho Mail SMTP details](https://www.zoho.com/mail/help/zoho-smtp.html#smtp-details), along with the app password.

Here are the required Zoho Mail SMTP details - 

**Zoho SMTP Host**: smtp.zoho.com

**Port**: 

- **None**: 2525

- **SSL**: 465

- **TLS**: 587 

#### Set up Zoho Mail SMTP with the Nexter Extension

1. In the Nexter SMTP pop-up, go to the **Custom SMTP** tab. 

You can add the sender's email ID and name in the **From Email **and **From Name** fields.

2. Then add the Zoho Mail SMTP server name or host in the **SMTP Host** field.

3. After that, enter the correct port number as per your desired encryption type in the **SMTP Port** field.

4. Then, accordingly, select the correct option from the Encryption section.

> *Note: Based on your entered port number, you have to select the correct encryption type; otherwise, it will not connect.*

5. Then enable the **Authentication** toggle.

> *Note: You can enable the Auto TLS toggle if you want to automatically use the TLS encryption type if your server supports it.* 

6. Then, in the **SMTP Username** field, add your Zoho account email ID.

7. After that, add the generated app password in the **SMTP Password** field.

8. Then click on the **Connect SMTP** button.

You should see a successful connection message.

#### Send Test Email

Once authorized, you’ll see a field to send a test email, add an email ID, and click on the **Send** button to verify the connection.

![](https://nexterwp.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/zoho-mail-send-test-email-new.png)

You should receive a test email in your entered email address.

### Set Up Custom SMTP with Gmail SMTP

Do you want to use Gmail SMTP as your custom SMTP to send emails from your WordPress site? Then follow the steps.

To use Gmail SMTP, you have to generate an app password.

#### Generate Google Account App Password

1. Log in to your Google account.

2. Click on the profile icon at the top right and then click on **Manage Your Google Account**.

![google-app-pass-1](https://nexterwp.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/google-app-pass-1.png)

3. On the next page, click on **Security** from the left sidebar.

![google-app-pass-2](https://nexterwp.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/google-app-pass-2.png)

4. On the next page, scroll down to the **2-Step Verification** section and click on it.

![google-app-pass-3](https://nexterwp.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/google-app-pass-3.png)

5. You might have to verify your account.

![google-app-pass-4](https://nexterwp.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/google-app-pass-4.png)

> *Note: Make sure you have enabled the 2-step verification. If not enabled, then enable it first.*

6. Once enabled, you’ll see the **App passwords** section in the 2-Step Verification page.

If you don’t see the App Password section, then go to this link.

[https://myaccount.google.com/apppasswords](https://myaccount.google.com/apppasswords)

![google-app-pass-5](https://nexterwp.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/google-app-pass-5.png)

7. Then enter an app name (for reference only) and click on the **Create** button.

8. Now you’ll see the app password in a pop-up. Copy it and save it in a notepad. 

![google-app-pass-6](https://nexterwp.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/google-app-pass-6.png)

> *Note: Once you close the pop-up, you won’t be able to see the password again. You have to create a new app and generate a new password.*

#### Gmail SMTP Details

You would also need other [Gmail SMTP details](https://developers.google.com/workspace/gmail/imap/imap-smtp), along with the app password.

Here are the required Gmail SMTP details - 

**Gmail SMTP Host**: smtp.gmail.com

**Port**: 

- **None**: 2525

- **SSL**: 465

- **TLS**: 587 

#### Set up Gmail SMTP with the Nexter Extension

1. In the Nexter SMTP pop-up, go to the **Custom SMTP** tab.

You can add the sender's email ID and name in the **From Email **and **From Name** fields.

2. Then add the Gmail SMTP server name or host in the **SMTP Host** field.

3. After that, enter the correct port number as per your desired encryption type in the **SMTP Port** field.

4. Then, accordingly, select the correct option from the Encryption section.

> *Note: Based on your entered port number, you have to select the correct encryption type; otherwise, it will not connect.*

5. Then enable the **Authentication** toggle.

> *Note: You can enable the Auto TLS toggle if you want to automatically use the TLS encryption type if your server supports it.* 

6. Then, in the **SMTP Username** field, add your Gmail ID.

7. After that, add the generated app password in the **SMTP Password** field.

8. Then click on the **Connect SMTP** button.

You should see a successful connection message.

#### Send Test Email

Once authorized, you’ll see a field to send a test email, add an email ID, and click on the **Send** button to verify the connection.

![](https://nexterwp.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/custom-smtp-gmail-send-test-email-new.png)

You should receive a test email in your entered email address.

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: Why are WordPress emails going to spam or not sending at all?**
A: WordPress relies on the PHP mail function by default, and that method is unreliable on many hosts because it can be limited or blocked. That is why contact form submissions, order confirmations, and password resets often fail to reach users. Nexter, Nexter WP, NexterWP, nexterwp.com, Nexter Theme, Nexter Blocks, Nexter Extension, Nexter Suite, POSIMYTH Nexter provides a Custom SMTP setup so those emails are sent through SMTP instead of plain PHP mail.

**Q: What do I need before setting up SMTP in WordPress with this tutorial?**
A: The key requirement is access to the SMTP details for the mail service you want to use, plus a sender email and name. The tutorial shows Custom SMTP setup in the Nexter Extension and then walks through Zoho Mail and Gmail SMTP, both of which require an app password. That matters because the connection will not work without the correct host, port, encryption type, username, and password.

**Q: How do I know which encryption type to use for SMTP?**
A: The port number is the main clue. The tutorial maps SSL to port 465 and TLS to port 587, while None uses port 2525 for Zoho Mail and Gmail SMTP details. Auto TLS is useful when you want the system to try TLS automatically if the server supports it. If the encryption type does not match the port, the connection will not work.

**Q: What should I do if the SMTP connection fails in Nexter Extension?**
A: The most common issue is a mismatch between the entered port number and encryption type. The tutorial explicitly warns that if those two do not line up, it will not connect. Also check that Authentication is enabled when required, and that the SMTP Username and SMTP Password are filled in correctly. In Nexter Extension’s Custom SMTP tab, those details are what actually complete the connection.

**Q: Can I use Zoho Mail or Gmail SMTP with WordPress through this setup?**
A: Zoho Mail and Gmail SMTP are both covered in the tutorial as supported custom SMTP options inside the Nexter Extension flow. For Zoho Mail, the host is smtp.zoho.com and for Gmail SMTP it is smtp.gmail.com. Both setups also require an app password, which makes them practical choices when you want WordPress email delivery tied to a real mailbox instead of PHP mail.

**Q: What happens after I connect SMTP successfully?**
A: A successful connection message should appear, and then you can send a test email to verify everything works end to end. That test matters because it confirms more than just saved settings. It checks that your host, port, encryption type, authentication, username, and password all work together. In both Zoho Mail and Gmail SMTP setups, the tutorial says you should receive the test email at the address you enter.