Get SMTP Connect up and running.
Step-by-step setup instructions for the free WordPress SMTP plugin, plus provider-specific notes and troubleshooting.
1. Minimum requirements
Before installation, make sure your site runs a supported WordPress and PHP version. To save encrypted credentials, PHP OpenSSL must be available.
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| WordPress | 6.2 or later |
| PHP | 7.4 or later |
| SMTP provider | Your own compatible SMTP service and credentials |
| Credential encryption | PHP OpenSSL extension |
| Logging cleanup | Functioning WP-Cron or host cron |
2. Install the free plugin
- Download UWH SMTP Connect v1.2.3.
- In WordPress, open Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin.
- Choose the ZIP file, select Install Now, then activate it.
- Open SMTP Connect → SMTP Settings from the admin sidebar.
3. Configure SMTP sending
- Choose Google, Microsoft 365 or Others.
- Check the host, port and connection security. Google and Microsoft presets initially use
587with TLS/STARTTLS. - Enter your From Email, From Name, SMTP username and the applicable SMTP password or app password.
- Enable SMTP sending and save your settings.
- Visit Test Email to test the configuration.
4. Google / Gmail setup
Select Google to automatically fill smtp.gmail.com. The password label changes to App Password. If your account supports it, open Google's official App Passwords page, generate an app password and enter it in the plugin.
5. Microsoft 365 setup
Choose Microsoft 365 to fill smtp.office365.com. The preset initially uses 587 with TLS. The plugin currently supports standard SMTP credentials, not Microsoft OAuth.
6. Custom SMTP provider
Select Others to unlock the SMTP hostname field. Enter the hostname, port, encryption and authentication details supplied by your host. The plugin also supports common SMTP infrastructure from hosting providers, transactional mail services and self-managed servers when their authentication method is compatible.
If your service provides both 465 / SSL and 587 / TLS, follow its official settings. Encrypted transport is required when authenticating.
7. Send a branded test email
- Open SMTP Connect → Test Email.
- Enter a mailbox you control and submit the test.
- Look for the branded UWH SMTP Connect email.
- Check your spam folder if it is not visible in the inbox.
The test reports SMTP transport acceptance, not a guarantee of final inbox delivery.
8. Activity logs & diagnostics
From Email Logs, filter All, Accepted or Failed using AJAX. Paginated results update without a full WordPress page reload when JavaScript is available. The plugin records timestamps, transport, recipient counts, status and redacted error reasons.
Open Diagnostics for configuration, OpenSSL, log database and WP-Cron checks, followed by practical SPF/DKIM/DMARC guidance.
Log retention is configurable for 7, 14, 30 or 90 days. Scheduled cleanup depends on WP-Cron running.
9. Troubleshooting
| Problem | What to check |
|---|---|
| Authentication failed | SMTP username/password, app-password eligibility, account permissions and authentication policy |
| Connection timed out | Host, port, DNS and outbound SMTP port restrictions on your web host |
| Accepted but not in inbox | Spam filtering, SPF/DKIM/DMARC, sender identity and provider delivery reports |
| Microsoft credentials rejected | SMTP AUTH and Basic Authentication restrictions; no Microsoft OAuth in this release |
| Saved password not working | WordPress security salts may have changed; re-enter your SMTP password |
| Logs do not appear | Check that activity logging is enabled and inspect the log database diagnostic |
| Retention cleanup not running | Check WP-Cron or a host-level cron trigger |
10. Privacy & security
The plugin stores the SMTP password encrypted in the WordPress options table and decrypts it on your server during sending. SMTP data is shared with whichever mail service you configure. Local logs avoid message subjects, bodies and recipient addresses. Avoid installing another plugin that also rewrites PHPMailer transport settings.
UWH SMTP Connect does not provide an SMTP server or mailbox. For plugin details, see the bundled ZIP readme and our website privacy policy.