SMTP Configuration
Connect DSMTP to your email provider's SMTP server for reliable email delivery.
Accessing SMTP Settings
In your WordPress admin, go to DSMTP → SMTP to configure your mail server.
Connection Settings
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Host | Your SMTP server hostname (e.g., smtp.gmail.com, smtp.office365.com, mail.yourdomain.com) |
| Port | SMTP port — typically 587 (TLS) or 465 (SSL) |
| Encryption | TLS, SSL, or None — use TLS when possible |
| Username | Your full email address or SMTP username |
| Password | Your email account password or app-specific password |
Encrypted Storage
SMTP passwords are encrypted using AES-256-CBC with your WordPress installation's salt keys (AUTH_KEY, SECURE_AUTH_KEY, LOGGED_IN_KEY, NONCE_KEY). The plaintext password is never stored in the database and is never displayed when viewing settings.
Testing Your Connection
After entering your settings, click Test Connection to verify everything works. The test will:
- Attempt to connect to the SMTP server
- Authenticate with your credentials
- Send a test email to your WordPress admin email
- Display the full SMTP transcript for debugging
Failure Classification
If a connection fails, DSMTP automatically categorizes the error:
| Failure Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Authentication | Incorrect username or password |
| Certificate | SSL/TLS certificate verification failed |
| TLS | Encryption handshake failed |
| Connection | Server unreachable — wrong host or port |
| Account Policy | Server rejected the connection (e.g., less secure apps blocked) |
Troubleshooting
If you're having trouble connecting:
- Gmail: Use an App Password if 2FA is enabled. Allow less secure apps may be disabled by Google.
- Outlook/Office 365: Use SMTP host
smtp.office365.comon port587with TLS. Enable SMTP Auth in your Exchange admin center. - Custom domain email: Check with your hosting provider for the correct SMTP server address and port.