Your WordPress website is all shiny and ready to go. You launch, and everything looks great. But wait—your contact form isn’t sending emails. You’re not getting order notifications. Your users aren’t getting password resets. Frustrating, right?
Don’t worry! This is a common issue. And it’s usually not WordPress’s fault. In fact, WordPress does try to send those emails—but your server or mail system might be blocking or dropping them.
Why WordPress Emails Don’t Work
WordPress uses something called the PHP mail() function to send emails. It’s built into most hosting servers. But many web hosts restrict this function to prevent spam or abuse. Or your email provider might block messages that don’t look trustworthy.
This leads to emails silently failing. No error. No bounce. Just… gone.
Good news: You don’t have to switch hosts or panic. There are simple fixes. Let’s get into them.
Step 1: Use SMTP Instead of PHP mail()
SMTP stands for Simple Mail Transfer Protocol. It’s how real email servers send messages. That makes it way more reliable than PHP mail().
To set up SMTP in WordPress:
- Install a plugin like WP Mail SMTP or Post SMTP.
- Enter your SMTP server details from your email provider (like Gmail, Outlook, or your own domain).
- Add your email address and password (or better—use an app password).
- Send a test email to make sure it works.
Most major providers like Google, Microsoft, and Zoho have SMTP settings you can use.
Your hosting provider may also offer SMTP access if you’re using their email service.
Step 2: Add SPF, DKIM, and DMARC Records
Once SMTP is set up, your emails are sending—but they might still go to spam. Or worse, they might still be blocked silently.
This is because of protections called SPF, DKIM, and DMARC. These are DNS records. They tell the internet, “Hey, this server is allowed to send emails for my domain.”
Let’s break them down simply:
SPF (Sender Policy Framework)
This is a list of servers that are allowed to send emails for your domain.
Example SPF record:
v=spf1 include:mail.yourprovider.com ~all
DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail)
This adds a signature to your email. It’s like a seal of approval attached to the message.
Your email provider usually generates the DKIM for you. You just copy it to your DNS settings.
DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting and Conformance)
This tells mailbox providers how to treat messages that fail SPF and DKIM.
Simple DMARC record:
v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:you@example.com
You can change the policy to reject or quarantine once everything is working perfectly.
How to Set These Records
They need to be added where your domain’s DNS is managed. That could be:
- Your domain registrar (GoDaddy, Namecheap, etc.)
- Your web host (SiteGround, Bluehost, etc.)
- A DNS provider like Cloudflare
Log in to your DNS settings, and add the records as TXT entries. If you’re unsure where to find them, ask your email provider—they usually have docs you can copy and paste from!
Step 3: Use a Dedicated Email Sending Service
This is a fast, reliable, and scalable solution—especially if you send lots of emails.
Popular services include:
- SendGrid
- Mailgun
- Amazon SES
- SMTP2Go
Most of these services offer generous free tiers. They also provide DKIM, SPF, and DMARC guides for your domain.
Some SMTP plugins and contact form plugins integrate directly with these providers. That makes setup a breeze.
Step 4: Test Your Emails
Once everything’s configured, test it.
Use free tools like:
These tools help check deliverability, spam score, SPF/DKIM status, and more.
Bonus Tips to Keep Your WordPress Emails Working
- Don’t use a free Gmail address as your “From” address.
- Always use an email from your domain, like noreply@yourwebsite.com.
- Avoid using common spam triggers in your subject lines like “FREE,” “CLICK HERE,” or “GUARANTEED.”
- Monitor your DMARC reports to make sure everything’s working.
Also, keep your plugins and WordPress core up to date. Outdated plugins can interfere with mail functions.
Quick Summary
- WordPress email issues are common.
- They’re usually caused by PHP mail() being blocked or unreliable.
- Use SMTP for more reliable email delivery.
- Add SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records to authenticate your domain.
- Consider email delivery services like SendGrid or Mailgun.
- Test your setup to make sure everything works smoothly.
Final Words
WordPress not sending emails isn’t the end of the world. With the right tweaks, you can fix it in under an hour. And once it’s fixed, it stays fixed. You’ll never miss a contact form submission, order notification, or user alert again.
Email delivery is crucial to your website’s success. So give it the attention it deserves!