WordPress 6.9 Update Breaking EMAILS and SMTP setups. Update your SMTP Plugins!

1

WordPress 6.9 update is causing email delivery issues for many users.

This is because the update changed how WordPress handles the “envelope sender” address for emails sent using the native PHP mailer.

Now, WordPress explicitly sets the sender, defaulting to wordpress@yourdomain.com if not specified. If your domain’s SPF, DKIM, or DMARC records aren’t configured to authorize this sender, emails will likely fail or be marked as spam.

Solutions:

  1. Configure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records: This is a technical solution for advanced users.
  2. Explicitly set the FROM address: Add a code snippet to your theme’s functions.php or use a Code Snippets plugin to define the email’s “From” address or use a SMTP plugin and configure it accordingly.
  3. Use an SMTP plugin: Plugins like FluentSMTP or WP Mail SMTP allow you to send emails through a dedicated SMTP server or service. This is the easiest and most reliable solution, as these services handle authentication and improve deliverability without complex DNS changes.

Basicly just update your smtp plugins that should be fine for most of you.

Most of the SMTP plugins alraedy made updates so update and test your email setting :slight_smile:

for deeper dev info:

core discussions:

2

Thanks for heads up. I’ve noticed that this issue is present and rewrite in phpmailer_init does not work for some of my emails.

This does the job:

add_filter( 'wp_mail_from', function( $email ) {
    return 'your@email.com';
});

add_filter( 'wp_mail_from_name', function( $name ) {
    return 'Your Name or Site';
});
1 Like
3

@MartinWB for those of us who aren’t accustomed to implementing such things, where are you adding this, functions.php?

4

just use smtp plugin or update it to latest versions you will be just fine and wont have delivery issues

you dont have to deal with codes or snippets

5

I was hoping to not have to pay for another service…but I take your point.

6

you dont have to pay for anything smtp plugins are free and you can use your own domain/hosting email

all the hostings gives free email inbox creation possibility
if you have a hosting that means you have a email

create a email and add that email to your smtp plugin simple and free

1 Like