How to Configure WordPress Email to Use SMTP Server?

Last modified: June 17, 2020
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Estimated reading time: 3 min

The WordPress uses PHP mail() function as default function to send emails. Many hosting providers have disabled the PHP mail() function on their shared servers to avoid email abuse on the entire server. Your WordPress emails will not be delivered in this situation and you will be forced to use SMTP server for sending emails. You don’t need to worry about PHP mail () function cause it is already enabled and configured properly on our shared servers. The spam emails will be detected and the domain will be blocked from sending further emails. If you are looking for sending bulk/mass emails you could try using a third party email service like Mandrill, Zoho but you will have to pay for this service. The cost will vary depending on the number of users/accounts you add or the number of emails you send. But, if you ever come across a situation to use SMTP server for sending your WordPress emails, here is an alternate, simple method and the steps you should perform via WordPress Admin Dashboard.

 

Email Account

The Managed WordPress hosting offers email service for each domain. So, you can create email accounts with your own domain name like “[email protected]”. You need to create a new email account if you have no existing email account with your WordPress domain. Follow the below steps to add new email accounts associated with your WordPress website.

1) Login to your cPanel and click on email accounts under the mail section

2) You will be directed to “Add Email Account” form where you need to fill out the information required to create your new email account.

Configure WP mail to use SMTP

 

You are now ready to use your new email account in WordPress.

 

Using New Email Account in WordPress

Before using the brand new email account in WordPress, you need to know the following information.

1) SMTP server hostname

2) SMTP server secure ports

Your SMTP server is mail.yourdomain.com or you can use the IP address or server name listed in your welcome email. You can use SMTP ports 25, SSL port 465, default port 587. We recommend using port 25 and 465 for non-encrypted and encrypted connections. Please note that you should login to your WordPress Admin Dashboard to perform these steps.

After gathering the above-required information, you will now need to install and activate WP Mail SMTP plugin. Once the plugin is installed and activated a new option Email will show up under Settings.

 

You just need to navigate through WordPress Dashboard >> Settings >> Email to configure WordPress email to use SMTP server. You can see several available configurations on the below screenshot. Replace yourdomain.com with your own domain name.

Configure WP mail to use SMTP

 

The following are the list of available options and what do they configure:

  • From Email – the email address you want to send emails from – [email protected] for example;
  • From Name – the name that your emails will be received from;
  • Mailer – choose whether you want to use the default Mail function or the SMTP;
  • Return Path – check if you want to match the return path for your emails to the sending email;
  • SMTP Host – the hostname for your SMTP server;
  • SMTP Port – the port your server works on;
  • Encryption – if you have SSL/TLS encryption available for that hostname, select it here;
  • Authentication – check if your SMTP server requires authentication;
  • Username – the username for your SMTP server;
  • Password – the password for your SMTP server;

 

Instructions

First, you need to enter the email address of your new email account and then enter a from name. The WP Mail SMTP plugin will use the default “WordPress” as from name if you do not add one. Please make sure that you have checked the option “Send all WordPress emails via SMTP“.

Enter the SMTP server hostname and secure port number under the SMTP option section. If your websites have a valid SSL certificate you should select “Use SSL encryption” for encryption method.  The plugin will need your SMTP login credentials for email functions.  Check “Yes: Use SMTP authentication” under Authentication section and provide your SMTP login credentials.

After completing the setup click on “Save Changes” button to store your settings and you will see the “Settings saved” message.

 

Test your SMTP Configuration

The WP Mail SMTP plugin provides an email testing tool which sends test emails to the given email address. If the test email is received by the given email address, then you can confirm the WP Mail SMTP plugin works. The plugin works fine if you have properly configured the email settings.

Configure WP mail to use SMTP

 

If you need any further help, please do reach our support department at [email protected].

 

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