How to Set Up SMTP in WordPress for Reliable Email Delivery

Introduction

By default, WordPress uses the PHP mail() function to send emails. However, these emails often land in the Spam folder or get blocked entirely because they lack proper authentication. To fix this, you should configure your website to send emails via SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol).

This guide will show you how to set up SMTP using the WP Mail SMTP plugin.

Prerequisites

• A WordPress website.

• An email account created in your cPanel (e.g., info@yourdomain.com).

• Your email password.

Step 1: Install the WP Mail SMTP Plugin

1. Log in to your WordPress Dashboard.

2. Go to Plugins > Add New.

3. Search for “WP Mail SMTP”.

4. Install and Activate the plugin by WPForms.

Step 2: Configure the Plugin

1. Go to WP Mail SMTP > Settings in your dashboard sidebar.

2. From Email: Enter your professional email address (e.g., info@yourdomain.com).

   • Note: This must match the email account you created in cPanel.

3. From Name: Enter your business name.

4. Mailer: Select “Other SMTP”.

Step 3: Enter SMTP Details

Scroll down to the “Other SMTP” section and fill in the following details. You can find these in cPanel under Email Accounts > Connect Devices.

• SMTP Host: mail.yourdomain.com (Replace yourdomain.com with your actual domain).

• Encryption: Select SSL (Recommended) or TLS.

• SMTP Port:

  • If using SSL, use port 465.

  • If using TLS, use port 587.

• Auto TLS: Toggle this ON.

• Authentication: Toggle this ON.

• SMTP Username: Your full email address (e.g., info@yourdomain.com).

• SMTP Password: The password for that email account.

Click Save Settings at the bottom of the page.

Step 4: Verify Your Contact Forms

If you are using a contact form plugin (like Contact Form 7), ensure you are not using the visitor’s email in the “From” header.

• Incorrect: [your-email] (This will cause Gmail/Yahoo to block you).

• Correct: info@yourdomain.com (Use your SMTP email here).

• Correct Reply-To: Add [your-email] in the “Reply-To” or “Additional Headers” field settings of your form plugin.

Step 5: Send a Test Email

1. In the WP Mail SMTP menu, click on the Email Test tab.

2. Enter a personal email address (like your Gmail) to send a test to.

3. Click Send Email.

If the test is successful, you will see a “Success” message, and the email should arrive in your Inbox (not Spam).

Troubleshooting

• Authentication Failed: Check that your password is correct.

• Connection Timed Out: Try changing the Port to 587 and Encryption to TLS.

• Still in Spam? Ensure you have valid SPF and DKIM records set up in your cPanel » Email Deliverability section.

Need help? If you are unable to configure this, please open a support ticket with your WordPress admin credentials, and our team will assist you.