For many WordPress website owners, a broken contact form can be incredibly frustrating—especially when it seems like everything is working correctly, but no emails are actually being sent or received. Whether you’re using popular plugins like WPForms, Contact Form 7 (CF7), or Gravity Forms, the issue often boils down to email delivery settings, web server configurations, or even user error.
This article provides a detailed guide to help you fix contact forms not sending emails in WordPress, with a focus on the three top contact form plugins. If you’re struggling to get your messages delivered, follow this step-by-step guide to identify and resolve the issue.
Common Causes of WordPress Contact Form Email Issues
Before diving into plugin-specific solutions, it’s important to understand what usually causes these problems. Most of the time, it’s not the form plugin itself, but one of the following:
- PHP mail() function not working properly on your hosting server.
- No SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) configured for sending emails.
- Emails flagged as spam or rejected by email service providers like Gmail, Yahoo, or Outlook.
- Incorrect “From” email address or recipient settings in the form configuration.
- Plugin conflict caused by another WordPress plugin modifying email behavior.
How to Fix WPForms Not Sending Email
WPForms is a user-friendly and feature-rich contact form plugin. If your emails aren’t being sent, here are the steps to troubleshoot:
- Check Email Settings: Go to the form editor in WPForms and make sure you’ve set correct recipient and sender email addresses.
- Set Up SMTP: Install a plugin like WP Mail SMTP. Configure your SMTP settings using a reliable mail service such as Gmail, SendGrid, or Mailgun.
- Enable Email Logging: WPForms supports add-ons like Email Log that let you verify whether the email was successfully submitted.
- Avoid Using Default “From” Addresses: Use a real domain-based email address (e.g., contact@yourdomain.com) instead of Gmail or Yahoo.
Once you’ve completed these steps, send a test submission. In most cases, using a proper SMTP server resolves the delivery issue immediately.
Fixing Contact Form 7 (CF7) When It’s Not Sending Emails
Contact Form 7 is one of the oldest and most widely used contact form plugins. It’s also notorious for mail issues if not configured correctly.
- Verify the Mail Tab: In the CF7 form editor, navigate to the “Mail” tab and ensure the following:
- “To” field contains your correct email address.
- “From” uses a domain-based email, not a free one like Gmail.
- Check for JavaScript Conflicts: Disable other plugins and switch themes temporarily to rule out conflicts.
- Use Flamingo Plugin: This plugin stores submitted messages in the database, helpful for debugging.
- Install WP Mail SMTP: Similar to WPForms, configuring SMTP is essential for deliverability.
Gravity Forms Email Not Sending? Here’s What To Do
Gravity Forms is a powerful premium plugin, but like others, it’s not immune to email issues. Here’s how to fix it:
- Check Notification Settings: In your form settings, make sure notifications are active and correctly configured.
- Confirm Admin Email: Ensure you’re sending to an existing and properly configured email address.
- Set Up Logging: Gravity Forms has a logging addon that offers helpful troubleshooting information.
- Use SMTP: Again, installing and setting up WP Mail SMTP or an email provider like Mailgun or SendGrid usually fixes the issue.
Don’t forget to test your forms frequently after making changes to see if the issue is resolved.
Recommended SMTP Plugins
All three plugins can benefit from using an SMTP plugin. Here are the top options:
- WP Mail SMTP: The most recommended option with easy setup for Gmail, Outlook, Mailgun, and more.
- Post SMTP Mailer/Email Log: Powerful SMTP with built-in debug logger and fallback features.
- Easy WP SMTP: Good for basic setups, though less beginner-friendly than WP Mail SMTP.
Tips for Better Email Deliverability
Besides plugin-specific fixes, the following practices improve overall email performance:
- Use a domain-based email address (e.g., info@yourdomain.com).
- Authenticate your domain using SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records.
- Whitelist your website’s mail IP with your email provider, if necessary.
- Avoid sending too many emails in a short period to prevent throttling.
Testing Tools You Can Use
To further troubleshoot your email issues, here are some online tools and methods:
- Wordfence Email Test – Sends a test message to confirm email delivery.
- Mail Tester – Analyze your email’s spam score and configuration quality.
- Email Logging Plugins: WP Mail Logging, Email Log, or WPForms Email Log Addon.
When All Else Fails
If none of the above steps solve your problem, consider these advanced options:
- Contact your hosting provider to check mail server restrictions or outages.
- Consider switching to a more email-friendly host like SiteGround or Kinsta.
- Hire a WordPress support professional or use managed contact form services.
FAQ: Fixing WordPress Contact Form Email Issues
- Why is my contact form not sending emails in WordPress?
- In most cases, it’s due to lack of SMTP configuration or the PHP mail function not working properly on your server.
- What is SMTP and why do I need it?
- SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is a standard protocol for sending emails. It’s more reliable than PHP mail and helps avoid spam filters.
- Which is the best plugin to fix email issues?
- WP Mail SMTP is widely considered the best SMTP plugin with a user-friendly interface and good compatibility across form plugins.
- Is it safe to use Gmail SMTP for contact forms?
- Yes, as long as you use App Passwords and reputable plugin configurations. However, a domain-specific email is considered more professional.
- Do I need a premium service like SendGrid or Mailgun?
- Not necessarily, but they provide higher deliverability rates and better reporting. Perfect for high-volume or business use.
In summary, most contact form email issues in WordPress can be resolved by configuring SMTP properly and making sure your form settings are correct. Whether you use WPForms, CF7, or Gravity Forms, following the above advice will help prevent lost messages and improve your site’s professionalism.