{"id":605,"date":"2022-02-22T10:41:21","date_gmt":"2022-02-22T10:41:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.hostinger.io\/hostinger-tutorials\/uncategorized\/wordpresshow-to-configure-wordpress-to-send-emails-using-smtp\/"},"modified":"2025-02-19T10:59:55","modified_gmt":"2025-02-19T10:59:55","slug":"smtp-configuration-on-wordpress","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"\/ph\/tutorials\/wordpress-smtp","title":{"rendered":"What Is WordPress SMTP, How to Configure It, and Recommended Plugins"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) lets users send emails using an external service instead of the website’s server. It provides higher security and deliverability than the default Hypertext Preprocessor (PHP) mail()<\/strong> function.<\/p>

In WordPress, SMTP is set by connecting your email account and a mailer using a plugin. In this WordPress tutorial, we will explain how to configure SMTP in five steps.<\/p>

Moreover, we will explore the best plugins for enabling the mailing protocol on your website and third-party services that help improve deliverability.<\/p>

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What Is WordPress SMTP?<\/h2>\n

WordPress SMTP is a protocol that allows users to send emails across the internet using a third-party mailer instead of the website’s host server. By using SPF and DKIM records, SMTP is more secure and reliable than WordPress’ default PHP mail()<\/strong> function.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/p>

Why You Should Use SMTP for WordPress<\/h3>

Sending emails using PHP<\/a> is less reliable due to several drawbacks. For example, its lack of SMTP authentication makes PHP a target for cyber crimes like spoofing<\/a>.<\/p>

Unlike the default PHP mail() function, SMTP has Sender Policy Framework (SPF) and Domain Keys Identified Mail (DKIM) records<\/a>. Therefore, recipients are less likely to identify emails from an SMTP mailer as spam, ensuring deliverability.<\/p>

SPF lets a domain determine the permitted and authorized IP addresses to send emails. Meanwhile, creating custom DKIM records<\/a> enables the sender to digitally sign their messages for authentication. <\/p>

Some web hosts disable the WordPress email settings by default to prevent abuse and spam. Luckily, the SMTP protocol lets you enable the mailing service regardless of your server configuration.<\/p>

Finally, it is also easy to set up since users only need a third-party SMTP server<\/a> and a WordPress plugin.<\/p>

How to Configure WordPress SMTP to Send Emails<\/h2>

In this section, we will explain how to configure WordPress SMTP using a plugin. Though these steps work for all web hosts, we recommend Hostinger’s WordPress web hosting plan<\/a>, which includes up to 100 free professional email accounts.<\/p>

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1. Set Up an Email Account<\/h3>

After purchasing a Hostinger WordPress hosting plan and activating the included free domain, create your email account<\/a> by following these steps:<\/p>

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  1. Log in to hPanel <\/strong>and click Emails<\/strong> on the top menu.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Select the domain<\/strong> for your email account and choose Create email account<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Enter your email address and password. Click Create<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>
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    \"The<\/a><\/figure><\/div>
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    1. Under the Configure apps and devices<\/strong> section, select Other<\/strong>. <\/strong>Save the SMTP Host<\/strong>, Port<\/strong>, and Encryption<\/strong> information since we’ll use them to connect the WP Mail SMTP <\/strong>plugin <\/strong>with the outgoing mail server.<\/li>\n<\/ol>
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      \"The<\/a><\/figure><\/div>
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      1. Click Complete, I’ve set up my client<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>

        If you forgot to save the SMTP information during the creation process, access it by going to the Connect Apps & Devices<\/strong> menu in the sidebar.<\/p>

        2. Install and Configure WordPress SMTP Plugin<\/h3>

        To configure SMTP, we’ll use the WP Mail SMTP <\/strong>plugin. After launching your WordPress website<\/a>, follow these steps:<\/p>

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        1. Open your WordPress admin dashboard<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        2. Select the Plugin<\/strong> menu on the sidebar → Add New Plugin<\/strong>. Search WP Mail SMTP<\/strong> and install the plugin<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        3. The plugin will prompt you with the Setup Wizard<\/strong> interface. Click Go back to the Dashboard<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        4. You will be automatically redirected to the WP Mail SMTP settings. Scroll down to the Primary Connection <\/strong>section and enter your email address in From Email<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        5. Enter the From Name <\/strong>field. It is the name displayed for outgoing emails.<\/li>\n<\/ol>
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          \"WP<\/a><\/figure><\/div>
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          1. Set the Return Path <\/strong>setting as off<\/strong> to disable bounce messages.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          2. In the Mailer <\/strong>setting, select Other SMTP<\/strong>. Enter the SMTP host<\/strong>, encryption<\/strong>, <\/strong>and port <\/strong>you saved earlier.<\/li>\n<\/ol>
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            \"Mailer<\/a><\/figure><\/div>
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            1. Toggle Auto TLS <\/strong>and Authentication <\/strong>on.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            2. Enter your email address as an SMTP username<\/strong> and create a new password<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            3. Click Save Settings <\/strong>to apply the changes.<\/li>\n<\/ol>

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              Pro Tip<\/h4>\n

              Save the SMTP password and username in the wp-config.php<\/strong> file to improve security.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/p>

              Remember that the steps can slightly differ if you use a different plugin.<\/p>

              If you purchase the WP Mail SMTP Elite plan, you’ll get a free White Glove setup service that handles the configuration process.<\/p>

              3. Send a Test Email<\/h3>

              Send a test email to check whether the SMTP service works properly. Here’s how to do it using the WP Mail SMTP plugin:<\/p>

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              1. In the WordPress dashboard, go to the sidebar → WP Mail SMTP <\/strong>→ Tools<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              2. Enter the destination email address<\/strong>. It must be different from the one you have configured.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              3. Enable HTML <\/strong>and press Send Email<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>

                The plugin should confirm that it sent the email successfully. Otherwise, check the destination address and the WordPress SMTP settings.<\/p>

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                \"WP<\/a><\/figure><\/div>

                If you use the premium WP Mail SMTP plugin, enable the Alerts<\/strong> and Email Log<\/strong> settings to track whether you sent the messages properly.<\/p>

                4. Troubleshoot Any Issues<\/h3>

                If you encounter an issue when sending an SMTP email, check out some of the most common causes and their solutions:<\/p>