Configure an external SMTP server in your config file.
As of April 2026, WP SMTP Config is a WordPress ssl plugin with 200 active installations and a 3/5 rating from 2 reviews. It has been downloaded 15K+ times in total. Requires WordPress 3.0+ and PHP false+. Available on WordPress.org since 2011. Last updated 7 years ago — may have compatibility concerns. Top alternative: Cloudflare.
This plugin configures WordPress and WordPress MU to use a SMTP server when sending emails instead of the default PHP mail() function.
You will configure your SMTP settings in your wp-config.php file instead of the settings page.
The advantage is that no admin of your blog can read the settings.
And you only have to place your settings once in cases of a WordPress MU installation.
A sample configuration:
/**
* WordPress SMTP server
*/
define('WP_SMTP_HOST', 'mail.example.com');
define('WP_SMTP_PORT', 25); // obligatory - default: 25
define('WP_SMTP_ENCRYPTION', 'tls'); // obligatory ('tls' or 'ssl') - default: no encryption
define('WP_SMTP_USER', 'username'); // obligatory - default: no u…| WordPress | 3.0+ requiredTested up to 4.9.29 |
| PHP | false+ required |
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