WordPress delivery error
WordPress email sent but not received.
A green “sent” message only proves WordPress accepted the action. It does not prove SMTP acceptance, sender alignment, spam placement, or recipient delivery.
Acceptance vs delivery matrix
| Evidence | Likely cause | First check |
|---|---|---|
| SMTP provider log shows accepted | Recipient filtering or spam | Check spam, quarantine, and provider delivery events. |
| No SMTP provider log exists | WordPress never reached SMTP | Run the debugger with the plugin debug output. |
| From uses Gmail/Yahoo on site domain | Sender policy failure | Use a verified domain-based From address. |
| Only one recipient misses mail | Recipient-side policy | Test a second known-good mailbox before changing DNS. |
What not to change yet
- Do not assume WordPress failed if the SMTP provider accepted the message.
- Do not change all DNS records until From-domain alignment is confirmed.
- Do not use a contact-form test as the only proof; run a plain `wp_mail()` test too.