Is your Avada Forms Emails not sending? This comprehensive guide will walk you through every possible cause and solution. I’ll help you understand not just what’s wrong, but why it’s happening and how to prevent these issues in the future. Whether you’re a website owner or developer, you’ll find detailed explanations and step-by-step solutions below.

Understanding the Email System in Avada Forms

Before diving into troubleshooting, it’s crucial to understand how Avada Forms handles email communications. Many users mistakenly believe that Avada Forms itself sends emails, but this isn’t the case. Here’s the actual process:

• When a user submits a form, Avada Forms processes and validates the submission
• The form then hands over the data to WordPress’s mail handling system
• WordPress uses your server’s mail function (usually PHP mail or SMTP) to send the email
• The email travels through various mail servers before reaching its destination
• Finally, the recipient’s mail server processes it based on their spam filters and inbox rules

The Crucial First Step: Identifying Where the Problem Lies

The key to efficient troubleshooting is identifying whether the issue is with your form configuration or the email delivery system. Here’s how you can tell:

If Form Configuration is Correct:

• Users see a success message after submitting the form
• Form submissions are being recorded in your Avada Database Forms entries (if enabled)
• You can see the submission in your form’s entry log
• The form resets after submission
• Any autoresponders or thank you pages are working

Deep Dive into Form Configuration Issues

Email Address Configuration in Notification

Let’s examine every possible email configuration issue that could prevent your forms from working:

• Invalid Email Format Issues:
  • Missing @ symbol in email addresses
  • Incorrect domain spelling (e.g., .con instead of .com)
  • Extra spaces before or after email addresses
  • Special characters that aren’t properly encoded
• Dynamic Placeholder Problems:
  • Unconfigured placeholder, this is based on the Email field name of the form
  • Incorrect custom placeholder syntax
  • Missing or incorrect curly braces in placeholders
  • Case sensitivity issues in placeholder names
• Multiple Recipients Configuration:
  • Incorrect separator usage between multiple emails
  • Mixed format in CC and BCC fields
  • Exceeded maximum recipient limit

Server-Side Issues: A Comprehensive Analysis

Common Mailing Server Problems

Server issues can be complex and interrelated. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

• PHP Mail Function Limitations:
  • Incorrect PHP mail configuration in php.ini
  • Missing sendmail path
  • Server firewall blocking outgoing SMTP connections
  • Insufficient permissions for mail function
• Hosting-Related Issues:
  • Email sending limits per hour/day
  • Blocked ports (25, 465, or 587)
  • Shared hosting IP reputation problems
  • Missing or incorrect SPF/DKIM records
• Server Resource Constraints:
  • Memory limits affecting email processing
  • CPU throttling on shared hosting
  • Disk space issues preventing log creation
  • Network connectivity problems

Advanced Troubleshooting Techniques

Systematic Testing Approach

Follow this comprehensive testing protocol to identify the exact issue:

• Basic Tests:
  • Submit test forms to multiple email providers (Gmail, Outlook, etc.)
  • Verify with both desktop and mobile email clients
  • Test with different form field combinations
• Advanced Diagnostics:
  • Enable WordPress debug logging for mail functions. You can use WP Mail Logging plugin
  • Check server error logs for mail-related errors
  • Use email header analysis tools
  • Implement email delivery tracking

Professional Solutions for Email Issues

When basic troubleshooting doesn’t resolve your email delivery problems, you have two professional-grade solutions available. The first and most straightforward approach is implementing the WP Mail SMTP plugin. This plugin bypasses the default PHP mail function and provides a more reliable email delivery system. To set it up, install and activate WP Mail SMTP from the WordPress repository, then navigate to its settings page. You’ll need to configure the “from” email and name, choose an SMTP service provider (like Google, Outlook, or your hosting company’s SMTP), and enter the corresponding authentication details including SMTP host, port (usually 587 for TLS or 465 for SSL), and your credentials. After configuration, use the plugin’s built-in email test feature to verify everything is working correctly. The plugin also provides detailed logs of email delivery attempts, making it easier to diagnose any remaining issues. You may want to through this tutorial on their website -> https://wpmailsmtp.com/wordpress-smtp-settings

The second approach involves working directly with your hosting company to optimize your server’s mail configuration. Contact your hosting provider’s support team and specifically request a review of your server’s email configuration. Ask them to verify the following: proper configuration of your server’s MTA (Mail Transfer Agent), any email sending limits on your hosting plan, potential port restrictions (especially ports 25, 465, and 587), and the status of your server’s IP reputation for email sending. Many hosting companies can also help set up dedicated SMTP credentials for your account or implement proper SPF and DKIM records to improve email deliverability. Some hosts even offer managed email solutions that can be more reliable than standard server configurations.

Both solutions can be implemented independently or in combination for maximum reliability. If you opt for the WP Mail SMTP plugin, you can still work with your hosting company to ensure optimal server settings. Similarly, even with optimized server settings, the SMTP plugin can provide additional features and logging capabilities that make ongoing maintenance and troubleshooting easier.

Need Professional Help?

While this guide should help resolve most common email issues, some technical challenges might require expert assistance. If you’re still experiencing problems or need a reliable email system set up for your business, our team of WordPress specialists can help. We offer comprehensive email configuration services that include:

• Complete Avada Forms email system audit and optimization
• Professional SMTP setup and configuration
• Server-level email authentication setup
• Integration with professional email delivery services
• Custom email routing and handling solutions

Conclusion: Ensuring Long-term Email Success

Remember that email delivery is a complex system with many moving parts. Regular monitoring and maintenance are key to preventing issues. If your form submits successfully but emails aren’t arriving, focus on email delivery infrastructure rather than form configuration. Keep your systems updated, regularly test your forms, and maintain good email sending practices to ensure reliable delivery.

By following this comprehensive guide and implementing the suggested solutions and preventive measures, you’ll be well-equipped to handle any Avada Forms email issues that arise. Remember to document any solutions you implement, as this will help with future troubleshooting and maintenance.