Unable to Send Emails after WordPress Migration? Here’s how to fix it

Migrating a WordPress website can be a challenging task. While you may successfully move your files and database, one nagging issue often crops up after migration – Unable to Send Emails after WordPress Migration. 

Whether it’s contact form notifications, password reset emails, or WooCommerce order confirmations, not receiving or sending emails can disrupt your site’s functionality and frustrate users. But why does this happen?

Email issues usually arise due to changes in server configurations, DNS settings, or missing SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) setups during migration. The good news is that you can fix this common WordPress error by identifying its root cause and applying the right solutions.

So, today, we’ll explore the common reasons behind this issue and provide step-by-step instructions for restoring email functionality to your WordPress site.

Common Causes of Email Issues After Migration

Understanding why emails stop working after a WordPress migration is crucial before diving into solutions. Here are the most common culprits:

Incorrect Server Configuration

When you switch to a new hosting provider, their server setup might differ from your old one. Some hosts disable PHP’s mail() function by default, which WordPress uses to send emails.

DNS and MX Record Mismatches

Emails rely heavily on DNS and MX (Mail Exchange) records. If these aren’t correctly updated during the migration, your emails might never reach their destination. This is especially common when switching to a new domain or hosting.

Broken Email Settings in WordPress

Sometimes, email-related plugins or WordPress settings don’t carry over properly during the migration process. For example, the email address configured in your contact forms might point to an old or invalid account.

Missing or Improper SMTP Setup

SMTP is the backbone of reliable email delivery. If it wasn’t configured before the migration, or if credentials like the SMTP server, username, or password changed, emails may fail to send.

Hosting Provider Restrictions

Certain hosting providers impose strict email-sending limits or block outgoing emails entirely. This is particularly common on shared hosting plans.  

Blacklisted IP or Spam Filters

If your new server’s IP address is on a blacklist or your email configurations trigger spam filters, your emails may be marked as junk or rejected altogether.  

By identifying which of these issues is affecting your site, you can take targeted steps to fix it.

So, up next: Troubleshooting Steps to get your emails flowing again:

How to Fix – Unable to Send Emails After WordPress Migration (Step-by-Step Guide)

Email issues after a WordPress migration can feel frustrating, but don’t worry—we’re going to fix this together.

 Let’s go through a detailed, step-by-step process to resolve the problem and get your emails working again.

Step 1: Test if WordPress Can Send Emails

Before diving into fixes, let’s first confirm if WordPress is actually sending emails.

What to Do:

• Install a plugin like Check & Log Email or WP Mail Logging from the WordPress repository.
• Once installed, go to the plugin settings and send a test email to your own email address. 

What to Look For:

• If the email doesn’t arrive, this confirms an issue with your WordPress or server email configuration.
• If it arrives but lands in your spam folder, you need to improve email reliability (we’ll address this soon).  

Step 2: Verify Your Hosting’s Email Capabilities

Your new hosting provider may have different configurations for sending emails.

Ask Your Host:

• Does your hosting support PHP’s mail() function?
• Are there limits on sending emails (e.g., maximum emails per hour)?

Pro Tip: If your host doesn’t support email sending via PHP, you’ll need to set up SMTP (we’ll cover this in Step 6).

Check: Top Free WordPress Hosting Providers in the USA 

Step 3: Check and Update DNS and MX Records

Email delivery relies heavily on your DNS and MX records. If these weren’t updated during the migration, your emails might not go through.

Steps to Fix:

1. Log in to your domain registrar (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap, etc.).
2. Go to the DNS settings for your domain.
3. Verify or add the correct MX records for your email provider (e.g., Google Workspace, Microsoft 365).
4. Ensure your domain’s A record is pointing to your new hosting server.

Testing Tip: Use tools like MXToolbox to check if your DNS and MX records are properly configured.

Learn: Reduce DNS Lookups for a Faster Site

Step 4: Review WordPress Email Settings

Sometimes, the email address or plugin settings in WordPress don’t carry over correctly during a migration.

Steps to Fix:

1. Log into WordPress and navigate to Settings > General.
2. Confirm that the Administration Email Address field contains a valid and active email address.
3. If you’re using contact form plugins like WPForms, double-check the notification email settings for each form.

Step 5: Test Email Sending Again

After fixing DNS and WordPress settings, it’s time to test email delivery again:

• Use the WP Mail Logging plugin to track outgoing emails.
• Send test emails from WordPress (e.g., password reset emails or contact form submissions).

If emails are still not sent, proceed to the next step.

Learn: What Is Catch-All Email, And How Can It Help Your Website?

Step 6: Set Up an SMTP Plugin for Reliable Email Delivery

SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is the most reliable way to send emails.

Why SMTP Helps:

SMTP authenticates your emails and ensures they’re delivered instead of being flagged as spam.

How to Set It Up:

• Install an SMTP plugin like WP Mail SMTP 
• Go to the plugin settings and configure SMTP using one of these options:
  • Gmail SMTP: Use your Gmail account to send emails.
  • SendGrid or Mailgun: Use these third-party services for transactional emails.
  • Hosting SMTP: Some hosting providers offer their own SMTP credentials.

Example Configuration for Gmail SMTP:

• SMTP Host: smtp.gmail.com
• Port: 587
• Encryption: TLS
• Authentication: Enabled
• Username: Your Gmail email address
• Password: Your Gmail App Password (not your regular password).

Test the SMTP Settings:

Most SMTP plugins include a built-in email testing tool. Use it to send a test email and confirm everything is working.

Step 7: Monitor and Improve Email Reliability

Even after fixing the issue, it’s a good idea to monitor your email delivery to avoid future problems.

• Install an Email Logging Plugin: This will help you track outgoing emails and catch errors early.
• Use a Dedicated Transactional Email Service: For high-volume or critical emails, services like SendGrid or Mailgun provide better reliability and tracking.

Read: Fix DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN Error

Bonus: Reach Out for Help if Needed

If you’re still stuck after trying all these steps, don’t hesitate to reach out to your hosting support or consult with a WordPress expert. At Seahawk, we understand email issues can sometimes involve complex server configurations that require professional assistance.

Tips and Best Practices for Email Deliverability

Now that your emails are sent reliably using SMTP let’s talk about how to ensure long-term email success and prevent any future issues. Here are some additional tips and best practices for maintaining strong email deliverability and keeping your WordPress site’s emails working flawlessly.

Use a Dedicated Email Address for WordPress Emails

While WordPress will default to using the admin email address for sending notifications, it’s a good idea to create a dedicated email address specifically for WordPress emails. This can help with email reputation and ensure your notifications don’t look suspicious to spam filters.

Example:

• Create an email like wordpress@yourdomain.com or support@yourdomain.com.
• Use this address for all WordPress-related communications (password resets, order confirmations, etc.).

Avoid Sending Emails from Free Email Providers

If you’re using free email providers like Gmail, Yahoo, or Outlook to send emails from your WordPress site, it can hurt your deliverability. Free email services are often flagged by spam filters, especially if you’re sending bulk or transactional emails.

Solution:

Always use your own domain-based email address (e.g., support@yourdomain.com) to send emails. This improves your email reputation and ensures better delivery rates.

Use a Transactional Email Service for High-Volume Sites

If your WordPress site handles high traffic or sends a high volume of emails (e.g., eCommerce stores or membership sites), consider using a dedicated transactional email service like SendGrid or Amazon SES. These services offer more advanced features like:

• Better deliverability
• Email tracking and analytics
• Detailed reports for performance monitoring
• Increased sending limits

Using a transactional email service ensures your emails are less likely to be marked as spam and that they reach your users’ inboxes quickly.

Implement SPF, DKIM, and DMARC Records

SPF (Sender Policy Framework), DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail), and DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance) are email authentication protocols that help improve email security and deliverability. These records verify that your emails are coming from a legitimate source, which prevents your messages from being marked as spam or phishing.

• SPF: Specifies which mail servers are authorized to send emails on behalf of your domain.
• DKIM: Adds a digital signature to your emails to prove they haven’t been tampered with.
• DMARC: Helps protect your domain from unauthorized use and provides reporting tools for tracking email issues.

To set them up, log into your domain registrar’s dashboard and update your DNS records with the appropriate values. You can find more detailed instructions from your email service provider or through tools like MXToolbox.

Check out: Best WordPress Security Service Providers (And Plugins)

Avoid Spammy Practices in Your Emails

Even after setting up everything correctly, certain email practices can still cause your emails to be flagged as spam. Here are a few things to avoid:

• Overuse of links or images: Emails with too many links or large images may look suspicious to spam filters.
• All caps and excessive punctuation: Writing in all caps (like “BUY NOW!!!”) can trigger spam filters.
• Poorly written content: Always double-check your emails for spelling and grammar errors. Poorly crafted emails are often flagged by spam filters.

Instead, focus on creating clear, concise, and professional email content. Ensure that your emails provide value and don’t look like unsolicited marketing messages.

Learn: Combating WordPress Spam Comments Without Any Plugin

Regularly Monitor Your Email Logs

Once your email system is set up, it’s essential to monitor your email logs regularly. These logs will help you identify if any emails are being blocked, bounced, or marked as spam.

Why It’s Important:

Monitoring allows you to catch issues before they affect your users and allows you to troubleshoot quickly.

Use plugins like WP Mail Logging or your email service provider’s dashboard to track the status of sent emails. If you notice anything unusual, take action to resolve it.

Explore: Best Uptime Monitoring Services for WordPress Websites 

Wrapping Up

Migrating your WordPress site can sometimes cause email issues, but don’t worry—they’re usually easy to fix. By following the steps we’ve outlined, like checking your server settings, updating DNS and MX records, and setting up SMTP, you can get your email system back on track.

Once everything is set up properly, you can relax and focus on what matters most—running your site. If you run into any more issues or need further assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help!