Configuring the 'WP Mail SMTP' plugin

WordPress has several SMTP plugins you can use to force any FROM address you like. This is important for two major reasons:

• It allows you to send email directly through your mail server as opposed to the web server. This helps to prevent issues with Sender Domain Policy and Spoofing.
• It allows you to send email FROM another email host. For example, you can use your GMAIL address as the FROM email instead of your DreamHost address

One popular plugin option is WP Mail SMTP. This article walks you through how to configure this plugin.

There are three different ways to configure this plugin, which are described in the following sections:

• Option 1: Use the Setup Wizard to guide you through each step
• Option 2: Configure on the settings page
• Option 3: Add code to your wp-config.php file directly

The third option requires you to manually edit the main configuration file in your WordPress installation. This is more advanced, but also more secure. If your admin dashboard is shared with other admins, this will prevent them from accessing any fields.

If you installed WordPress using the DreamHost WordPress installer in the panel

The WP Mail SMTP plugin is installed automatically if you installed WordPress using the DreamHost WordPress installer in the panel as of June 2021.

• Install WordPress using the DreamHost WordPress installer

You must now activate it in your dashboard.

1. Navigate to the Plugins > Installed Plugins page.

   

2. Under WP Mail SMTP, click the Activate link.

You are then taken to the Setup Wizard to complete the configuration.

If you have an older DreamHost WordPress install or third-party installation

1. In the WordPress dashboard, click Plugins > Add New in the left pane.
2. Search for wp-mail-smtp. It can also be found here.

   

3. Click the Install button, then Activate. 
4. After it's installed and activated, navigate to the Plugins page in your WordPress dashboard.

   

5. Click the Settings link under the plugin.

The first item on the Settings page is for the Setup Wizard. This is a quick way to configure your settings.

1. Navigate to the WP MAIL SMTP > Settings page.

   

2. Click the Launch Setup Wizard button.

   

3. Click the Let's Get Started button.

   

4. Select Other SMTP. Click Save and Continue.
5. The next page lists all of your configuration options in different sections.

   

6. SMTP settings.
   • SMTP Host - Enter smtp.dreamhost.com
   • Encryption - TLS
   • SMTP Port - 587

   

7. Enable Authentication - toggle this option
8. SMTP Username - add your DreamHost email address
9. SMTP Password - enter the password for your DreamHost email address. You can also reset it if necessary.

   

10. From Name - Enter a name you'd like to appear as being sent FROM
11. From Email - Enter the email you wish to send FROM
12. Click Save and Continue.
13. The next page lists some additional features you could enable with the Pro version. Click Save and Continue.
14. The next page allows you to add your email address to receive recommendations on how to optimize your email delivery. Click Skip this Step or Save and Continue.
15. The next page asks you to enter your license key if you purchased the Pro version.
16. The final page checks your configuration.

    

17. When the check completes, a success message displays to confirm your email is configured.

1. Navigate to the WP MAIL SMTP > Settings page.

   

2. Fill in the following fields:
   • From Email - Enter the email you wish to send FROM
   • Force From Email - Check this box
   • From Name - Enter a name you'd like to appear as being sent FROM
   • Force From Name - Check this if you wish to force the FROM name
   • Return Path - Check this box

   

3. Under the Mailer section, choose Other SMTP.

   

4. Under the Other SMTP section. Make sure to toggle the Authentication button.
   • SMTP Host - smtp.dreamhost.com
   • Encryption - Use TLS encryption
   • SMTP Port - 587

     In this example, port 587 with TLS is used. If you would rather use port 465, make sure to use the SSL option instead.

• Username - Enter your DreamHost email address
• Password - Enter your email address password

• Click the Save Settings button.

Your form will now send FROM the email you entered above, but you should add the code below to further secure your credentials.

The instructions above add your password to the WordPress dashboard. To further secure your credentials, the plugin recommends you add code to your wp-config.php file instead. View the following page for further details.

• How to secure SMTP settings by using constants

Adding the constants to your wp-config.php file

1. Log into your server via FTP or SSH.
2. Use one of the following articles to edit your wp-config.php file.
   • Creating and editing files via FTP
   • Creating and editing a file via SSH
3. Scroll down in this file to the following line:

   /* That's all, stop editing! Happy blogging. */

4. Add the following lines just above this line.

   // turn constants on        
   define( 'WPMS_ON', true );
   
   // general configuration settings
   define( 'WPMS_MAIL_FROM', 'email@example.com' );
   define( 'WPMS_MAIL_FROM_FORCE', true ); // True turns it on, false turns it off.
   define( 'WPMS_MAIL_FROM_NAME', 'Example Name' );
   define( 'WPMS_MAIL_FROM_NAME_FORCE', true ); // True turns it on, false turns it off.
   define( 'WPMS_SET_RETURN_PATH', true ); // Sets $phpmailer->Sender if true.
   
   // specific configuration settings
   define( 'WPMS_SMTP_HOST', 'smtp.dreamhost.com' ); 
   define( 'WPMS_SMTP_PORT', 587 ); 
   define( 'WPMS_SSL', 'tls' ); 
   define( 'WPMS_SMTP_AUTH', true ); 
   define( 'WPMS_SMTP_USER', 'email@example.com' );
   define( 'WPMS_SMTP_PASS', '********' );
   define( 'WPMS_SMTP_AUTOTLS', true );
   define( 'WPMS_MAILER', 'smtp' );

5. The only parts you need to change are WPMS_MAIL_FROM, WPMS_MAIL_FROM_NAME, WPMS_SMTP_USER and WPMS_SMTP_PASS.
6. Save the file.

   

7. If you view the plugin page now, you'll see your credentials are not accessible.

Testing the plugin

Alternative plugins

See also