Contact Form 7 Not Sending Email

Contact Form 7 Not Sending Email? Troubleshooting Guide

Contact Form 7 is a popular WordPress plugin for creating contact forms, but sometimes, emails simply don't get delivered. This can be incredibly frustrating. This guide provides a step-by-step approach to diagnose and fix common issues.

Common Causes and Solutions

Several factors can prevent Contact Form 7 from sending emails. Here's a breakdown of the most likely culprits and how to address them:

• Incorrect Email Configuration: Double-check the "From," "To," "Subject," and "Message Body" fields within the Contact Form 7 settings.
• "From" Address Issues: The "From" address should ideally be an email address from your website's domain (e.g., noreply@yourdomain.com). Using generic addresses like Gmail or Yahoo can lead to emails being flagged as spam.
• Server Configuration: Your web hosting server might not be properly configured to send emails. This is a common issue with shared hosting plans.
• Plugin Conflicts: Conflicts with other plugins can interfere with Contact Form 7's functionality.
• Spam Filtering: Emails might be getting caught in spam filters on either your server or the recipient's email provider.

Troubleshooting Steps

1. Verify Email Settings: Navigate to Contact Form 7 within your WordPress dashboard and carefully review the "Mail" tab for the form in question. Ensure all fields are accurate. Pay special attention to the "From" address.
2. Test with a Different "From" Address: If you're using a Gmail or Yahoo address, try using an email address from your domain (e.g., contact@yourdomain.com). If you don't have one, create one through your hosting provider's cPanel or equivalent.
3. Install an SMTP Plugin: SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) plugins like WP Mail SMTP, Easy WP SMTP, or Post SMTP provide a more reliable way to send emails. These plugins allow you to connect to a dedicated SMTP server (like Gmail's or SendGrid's) instead of relying on your web server's built-in mail function. Configure the SMTP plugin with the correct credentials. For Gmail, you may need to enable "Less secure app access" (not recommended for long-term security) or use an App Password.
4. Check Your Spam Folder: Ask recipients to check their spam or junk mail folders.
5. Deactivate Plugins: Temporarily deactivate all other plugins except Contact Form 7 and an SMTP plugin. Test if the emails are sending. If so, reactivate plugins one by one to identify the conflicting plugin.
6. Review Server Logs: Your web hosting provider can access server logs that might provide clues about email delivery failures. Contact their support for assistance.
7. Contact Form 7 Debug Mode: Enable debug mode in Contact Form 7 by adding define( 'WP_DEBUG', true ); to your wp-config.php file and checking the error log.

By following these steps, you should be able to identify and resolve the issue preventing Contact Form 7 from sending emails. Remember to test after each step to pinpoint the exact cause and confirm the solution.