One of the most frustrating problems for WordPress users is emails not being delivered — whether it’s contact form submissions, password resets, order confirmations, or user registration emails. If your website relies on email communication, it’s essential to ensure that those emails reach your users’ inboxes and not the spam folder.
In this article, I’ll show you how to fix WordPress email issues by setting up SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) using the Fluent SMTP plugin — one of the most reliable and free SMTP plugins available. With Fluent SMTP, you’ll ensure that your website’s emails are sent securely and reliably through trusted email providers like Gmail, SendGrid, Amazon SES, and more.
Let’s dive in.
Why WordPress Emails Fail to Send
By default, WordPress uses the PHP mail() function to send emails. However, most hosting providers either disable this function or do not properly configure it. As a result, your emails may:
- Never be delivered
- Land in the spam folder
- Fail with no clear error
That’s why SMTP is the recommended method to handle email sending from your WordPress site.
What Is Fluent SMTP?
Fluent SMTP is a powerful, free plugin that connects your WordPress website with professional SMTP services. It offers:
- Support for multiple email providers
- Email logging
- Seamless integration with most contact form plugins
- No premium upgrades — all features are free
Step-by-Step: How to Set Up SMTP with Fluent SMTP
1. Install and Activate Fluent SMTP Plugin
First, log in to your WordPress admin dashboard.
- Go to Plugins > Add New
- Search for Fluent SMTP
- Click Install Now and then Activate
Once activated, a new Fluent SMTP menu will appear in your WordPress sidebar.
2. Configure Your SMTP Settings
Go to Fluent SMTP > Settings. You’ll see a list of supported mailers including:
- Gmail (Google Workspace)
- SendGrid
- Amazon SES
- Mailgun
- Outlook
- Zoho Mail
- Custom SMTP
Click on your preferred mailer. For this tutorial, let’s choose Gmail.
Note: Using Gmail requires that you enable 2-Step Verification and create an App Password. This is for enhanced security and avoids sharing your actual Gmail password.
Here’s how to do it:
- Visit your Google Account Security settings
- Enable 2-Step Verification
- Go to App Passwords, select “Mail” as the app and “Other” as the device
- Copy the generated password
Return to your WordPress dashboard and enter:
- Your Gmail address in the “From Email”
- Your name in the “From Name”
- Paste the App Password in the required field
- Click Save Settings
3. Send a Test Email
Now let’s test if everything is working.
- Go to the Email Test tab in Fluent SMTP
- Enter an email address (like your personal Gmail or Yahoo email)
- Click Send Test Email
If you receive the test message successfully in your inbox, congratulations — you’ve set up SMTP correctly!
If not, double-check the App Password and make sure you followed all the steps accurately.
4. Set Fluent SMTP as Your Default Mailer
Fluent SMTP automatically becomes your default mailer once configured. This means all WordPress transactional emails (registration emails, password resets, WooCommerce order emails, etc.) will now be sent through the configured SMTP server.
To double-check:
- Navigate to Fluent SMTP > Settings
- Make sure your mailer is marked as Active Mailer
Why SMTP Matters for WordPress Websites
Setting up SMTP may feel technical, but it’s one of the most important improvements you can make for your website. Here’s why:
- Ensures critical emails are reliably delivered
- Reduces the chances of landing in spam folders
- Helps build trust with users and customers
- Improves user experience for forms, logins, orders, etc.
Whether you’re running a blog, a WooCommerce store, or an eLearning site (like with Tutor LMS), SMTP is essential.
Bonus Tip: Use Fluent SMTP with Fluent Forms
If you’re using Fluent Forms for your contact or registration forms, the integration is seamless. Both plugins are developed by the same team and work beautifully together to handle form submissions and notifications via SMTP.
Final Thoughts
With Fluent SMTP, solving WordPress email issues is no longer a headache. This lightweight yet powerful plugin ensures that your emails are sent reliably using your preferred mail provider — whether it’s Gmail, Amazon SES, or any custom SMTP server.
No more missed form submissions, lost customer orders, or confusing login issues. Just smooth, reliable communication — the way it should be.
Useful Links
- Download Fluent SMTP Plugin: https://wordpress.org/plugins/fluent-smtp/
- Watch the Setup Video Tutorial: YouTube Playlist
- Check More WordPress Tools & Tutorials: LearnWeb Academy
Need help setting up your site or plugin? Drop your questions in the comments or explore more free resources on our YouTube Channel. Don’t forget to subscribe!
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