By default, WordPress sends contact-form and notification emails directly from the web server using PHP’s mail function. These messages are often unauthenticated and end up in spam (junk mail). Routing WordPress through Loopia’s SMTP server instead authenticates each message against a real mailbox, which significantly improves deliverability. This guide shows how to do it with the Easy WP SMTP plugin.
Why send WordPress email via SMTP?
Spam filters are increasingly strict. Email sent straight from a web server, without authentication, is very likely to be rejected or sorted into the recipient’s spam folder. Sending via Loopia’s SMTP server (the outgoing mail server) lets WordPress sign in to a real email account and send through it, so the message is properly authenticated and trusted by the receiving mail server.
Create a dedicated email address for WordPress
The SMTP password is stored in WordPress in plain text, so it’s safer to use a dedicated address rather than your main inbox. Create an email address such as wordpress@example.com (replace example.com with your own domain). You’ll use this address and its password in the plugin settings.
Install the Easy WP SMTP plugin
- Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard.
- Go to Plugins → Add New.
- Search for Easy WP SMTP and click Install Now, then Activate.
The plugin replaces WordPress’s built-in wp_mail() function so outgoing email is sent through SMTP instead of the web server.
Configure the plugin with Loopia’s SMTP settings
Open the Easy WP SMTP settings page and enter the following details:
- From email address: the dedicated email address you created (for example wordpress@example.com)
- SMTP host: mailcluster.loopia.se
- Type of encryption: SSL
- SMTP port: 465
- SMTP authentication: Yes
- SMTP username: the full email address
- SMTP password: the password for that email address
Save the changes.
Send a test email
Use the test-email feature on the same settings page to confirm the configuration works. Send a message to an address you control and check that it arrives.
When the test email arrives successfully, WordPress is sending all its outgoing email through Loopia’s SMTP server with proper authentication.
This guide was originally written using WordPress 4.6.1 and Easy WP SMTP 1.2.3. The setting names may differ slightly in newer versions, but the values stay the same.