How to fix WordPress not sending email issue?

Are you facing an issue with WordPress not sending emails? This can be a frustrating problem, especially if you rely on email notifications to keep your site running smoothly. Whether it’s the failure to send new user registration emails or password reset requests, this issue can cause serious problems for your site and users.

But don’t worry! In this guide, we will help you troubleshoot and fix the WordPress not sending email issue. We will cover everything from identifying the root cause of the problem to implementing the necessary fixes.

Identifying the Root Cause

Before we dive into the solution, it’s important to understand the possible reasons behind this issue. Here are some common causes of WordPress not sending emails:

1. Email Configuration Settings: WordPress uses PHP mail function to send emails by default. However, some hosting providers may have limitations on sending emails, which can cause emails to fail. Also, if you have incorrect email configuration settings, emails may not be delivered successfully.
2. Email Deliverability: Spam filters are designed to block emails that appear suspicious or spammy. If your emails are getting marked as spam, they may not be delivered to the recipient’s inbox.
3. SMTP Authentication: If you have SMTP authentication issues, emails may not be sent successfully. SMTP authentication is a security feature that requires you to provide your email credentials to send emails.
4. Plugins and Themes: Some plugins and themes may interfere with the email sending process, causing emails to fail. For instance, a security plugin may block outgoing emails, or a poorly-coded theme may prevent emails from being sent.

Now that you have a better understanding of the potential causes of this issue, let’s move on to the solutions.

Fixing the WordPress Not Sending Email Issue

1. Check Email Configuration Settings

The first step in fixing this issue is to check your email configuration settings. To do this, go to the Settings > General page in your WordPress dashboard and ensure that the email address is correct.

Next, check the ‘From Email’ and ‘From Name’ fields to ensure they are filled correctly. If you’re using a Gmail or G Suite email, make sure to add the ‘smtp.gmail.com’ as your SMTP host and set the port to 465.

If you’re using a custom email server, check with your hosting provider to ensure that you have the correct SMTP credentials. Once you’ve confirmed that all the settings are correct, test sending an email from your WordPress site to verify that it’s working.

2. Use an SMTP Plugin

If you’re still having issues with email delivery, you can try using an SMTP plugin. SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is an industry-standard protocol that allows email to be sent securely and reliably.

SMTP plugins work by sending emails through a dedicated email server, bypassing any limitations imposed by your hosting provider. Some popular SMTP plugins include WP Mail SMTP, Easy WP SMTP, and Post SMTP Mailer/Email Log.

To use an SMTP plugin, you’ll need to install and configure it. After installation, go to the plugin’s settings page and enter your SMTP server details. If you’re using a Gmail or G Suite email, you can use the SMTP server details provided by Google.

Once you’ve configured the plugin, test sending an email from your WordPress site to confirm that it’s working. SMTP plugins are an effective solution for fixing email delivery issues in WordPress.

3. Improve Email Deliverability

Another possible reason for the WordPress not sending email issue is the failure of email deliverability. This can happen if your emails are getting marked as spam and not delivered to the recipient’s inbox. To improve email deliverability, you can take the following steps:

a) Verify Domain Ownership: Verify your domain ownership to build trust with email providers. This can be done by setting up SPF and DKIM records for your domain.

b) Use a Dedicated IP Address: Use a dedicated IP address for your email server, which will help avoid blacklisting and increase email deliverability.

c) Avoid Spammy Content: Avoid using spammy words and phrases in your emails. Also, avoid sending too many emails at once, as this can trigger spam filters.

d) Authenticate Your Email: Authenticate your email using the Sender Policy Framework (SPF), DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM), and Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance (DMARC) protocols.

e) Use Email Verification Tools: Use email verification tools such as Mail Tester and Email on Acid to ensure that your emails are not being marked as spam.

4. Check Plugins and Themes

Plugins and themes can also cause issues with email delivery in WordPress. For example, a security plugin may block outgoing emails, or a poorly-coded theme may prevent emails from being sent. To fix this issue, you can try disabling all plugins and switching to a default WordPress theme.

If the issue is resolved, then the problem lies with one of your plugins or themes. You can then reactivate your plugins and themes one by one, testing email delivery after each activation to identify the culprit.

5. Contact Your Hosting Provider

If you’ve tried all the above solutions and are still experiencing issues with email delivery, it’s time to contact your hosting provider. They may have restrictions on sending emails, which could be causing the issue. Also, they can help you with email server settings and other technical issues.

In conclusion, The WordPress not sending email issue can be frustrating, but with the above solutions, you can troubleshoot and fix the problem. If you’re still experiencing issues, or if you need assistance with WordPress email configuration, contact WP Genius. Our team of WordPress experts can help you with email configuration, plugin and theme issues, and more. Contact us today to learn more!