# Fixing Issues with Non-Functioning Emails from Your WordPress Site

- Link: https://www.limitloginattempts.com/blogs/guides/troubleshooting-guide-fixing-issues-with-non-functioning-emails-from-your-wordpress-site/
- Published: 2023-06-20T13:16:47+00:00
- Author: Greg Fisher

Effective communication stands as a cornerstone for every WordPress site owner, 
particularly when dealing with **time-sensitive emails** that play a pivotal role
in **enhancing both sales and [login security](https://www.limitloginattempts.com/blogs/cyber-security/login-security-rules-top-7-that-every-wordpress-site-owner-must-follow/)**.
Dealing with malfunctioning emails is not only frustrating, but also impedes your
ability to **engage with your audience**. When faced with email challenges, you 
have three avenues to explore: **seek assistance from your web hosting provider,
enlist the support of your web developer, or tackle the issue independently**. This
article focuses on the latter option, providing a troubleshooting guide to help 
you fix email-related issues on your WordPress site. Let’s delve into the process
and restore the smooth functionality of your email system.

## How to Restore Email Functionality From your WordPress Site

You don’t need to be an IT professional to identify and fix malfunctioning emails
on your WordPress website. Follow this step-by-step guide, and you’ll be receiving
emails once again.

### #1 Verify Email Configuration

The first step is to **confirm that your email configuration in WordPress is set
up correctly**. Navigate to the WordPress dashboard, select “**Settings**,” and 
then click on “**General.**” Ensure that the email address listed in the “**Administration
Email Address**” field is correct. Double-check the email address format, as even
a small error can cause issues.

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### #2 Check Spam Folder

Sometimes, legitimate emails from your WordPress site may end up in the recipient’s**
spam folder**. Ask your users to **check their spam or junk folders** to see if 
the emails are being misclassified. Additionally, you can add a note in your email
template, reminding recipients to mark your emails as “not spam” to prevent future
delivery issues.

### #3 Review Email Deliverability

WordPress relies on your hosting provider to send emails. **Contact your hosting
support and ask them to verify that your server is configured correctly**. Ensure
that your hosting provider does not have any **email delivery restrictions or limitations**
in place. It’s also worth confirming that your hosting account is **not blacklisted**
by any major email service providers.

### #4 Utilize SMTP for Email Delivery

By default, WordPress uses the **PHP mail function to send emails**. However, this
method can be **unreliable**. To improve email deliverability, consider using **
[Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP)](https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/definition/SMTP-Simple-Mail-Transfer-Protocol)**
to send your WordPress emails. SMTP provides a more **reliable and secure way of
sending emails**. Install a reputable SMTP plugin, such as [WP Mail SMTP](https://wpmailsmtp.com/limit-login-attempts-reloaded-not-sending-email/)
or [POST SMTP Mailer plugin](https://wordpress.org/plugins/post-smtp/) and configure
it to send emails through a **trusted email service provider like SendGrid or Gmail**.

![WP MAIL SMTP helps email deliverability. ](https://www.limitloginattempts.com/
wp-content/uploads/2023/12/image.png)

### #5 Test Email Functionality

To isolate the issue, send a **test email from your WordPress site** to an address
you have access to. You can send a test email by simply **creating a new user** 
with an email you have access too, or **update your WordPress password**. If you
receive the test email successfully, it indicates that your email setup is functioning
correctly. However, if the test email fails to arrive, proceed to the next step.

### #6 Check Plugin Compatibility

**Conflicts between plugins** can disrupt email functionality on your WordPress 
site. Temporarily disable all plugins except for those required for email functionality,
such as an SMTP plugin or an email subscription plugin. Test the email functionality
again. If it works, **start reactivating your plugins one by one** until you identify
the plugin causing the issue. At that point, **contact the plugin developer** for
further assistance or consider finding an alternative plugin.

### #7 Review WordPress Theme Compatibility

In rare cases, your **WordPress theme may interfere with email functionality**. 
S**witch to a default WordPress theme**, such as Twenty Twenty-One, and test the
email functionality. If the emails start working, it implies that your **previous
theme was incompatible**. Reach out to the theme developer for support or consider
switching to a more compatible theme.

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### #8 Consult WordPress Community and Developers

If you have exhausted all troubleshooting steps and the issue persists, **seek help
from the broader WordPress community.** Post your problem on** relevant forums or
discussion boards**, such as the [WordPress.org](https://www.wordpress.org) support
forums. **Provide detailed information about your setup, including the versions 
of WordPress, plugins, and themes you are using.** Developers and experienced users
may be able to offer specific advice based on their expertise.

## Conclusion

Email functionality is crucial for effective communication on your WordPress site.
By following the troubleshooting steps outlined in this guide, you should be able
to identify and resolve the issues causing non-functioning emails. Remember to double-
check your email configuration, test email deliverability, and seek help or additional
software if needed.

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Is it difficult to fix emails for my WordPress website?**

In most cases, it’s a simple fix to get your website sending emails again. If your
web host is blacklisted or there are conflicts in your theme or plugins, it can 
be more difficult to troubleshoot the problem.

**Why isn’t my WordPress website sending emails?**

There could be several issues that are preventing your website from sending. The
most common issue is due to incorrect server configuration, which may require you
to contact your web host for assistance. If you are sending a lot of emails, it 
could also be due to your hosting provider not having good IP reputation, which 
an SMTP plugin can help with deliverability.

**How can I verify if my emails are being send from my WordPress website?**

You can verify email deliverability by resetting your password or creating a new
user. These actions will trigger an email event from your WordPress website. Make
sure to check your spam folder.
