"Smtp Error: Failed To Connect To Server" – Causes And Fixes

Introduction

Have you ever seen the "SMTP error: failed to connect to server" message when trying to send an email? If so, you're not alone. In this article, we'll show you what causes this error and how you can fix it.

What is an SMTP Error?

An option of sending emails is necessary these days in any web application. Therefore, the "PHP Mailer" mail program is included in most of the popular programs like Word press, Duplar, etc., for sending mails.

The problem is that many website owners are not habitual in configuring the "PHPMailer," which results in the "Smtp error: Failed to connect to server" error.

An SMTP error is an error that occurs when trying to connect to an SMTP server. This can be caused by several things, such as an incorrect server address, a firewall blocking the connection, or the server itself is down.

What causes SMTP ERROR?

When you try to send an email using PHPMailer, you may sometimes get an error message saying "SMTP error: Failed to connect to server." Several things can cause this.

1).  Down server

There are many potential causes for an SMTP error. The most common is simply that the server is down or unavailable. This can happen for various reasons, including scheduled maintenance or an unexpected outage.

2).  Incorrect configuration

Another common cause is incorrect configuration settings. This can be a problem with the server or the account settings being used to connect to the server. In either case, double-checking the settings and contacting the server administrator can usually resolve the issue.

3).  Firewall restrictions on the server

Sometimes, an SMTP error can also be caused by security software or firewalls blocking outgoing connections. If this is the case, you'll need to allow the relevant IP addresses or domains to fix the problem.

4).  Entering the incorrect address

Finally, it's also possible that the email address you're trying to reach simply doesn't exist. This is often the case when typos are made when entering an address. In these cases, there's not much you can do other than try again with the correct address.

Let's take a closer look at each of these causes and how to fix them.

How to fix SMTP Error: Failed to connect to server?

If you're seeing the "SMTP Error: Failed to connect to server" error, it means that your email program is having trouble connecting to your email server. There are a few things you can do to fix this problem.

1. Change the SMTP server restrictions and add that user to the list of other users so that he can be allowed to make outbound connections.
2. First, make sure that you're using the correct email server settings. If you're not sure what these are, contact your email provider.
3. Next, try restarting your computer and then open your email program again. If that doesn't work, try temporarily disabling any firewall or antivirus software you have running on your computer.
4. Alternatively, you can try to modify the firewall server rules to allow outbound connections on ports like 465.
5. Change the settings of PHPMailer like Host etc.
6. Make a correction in DNS resolution for a mail server.

Conclusion

There are many reasons why you may get the "SMTP error: failed to connect to server" message, but fortunately, there are also a number of ways to fix it. In most cases, simply changing your SMTP settings will do the trick, but if that doesn't work, then there are a few other options you can try. Whichever method you choose, make sure you follow the instructions carefully so that you don't end up making things worse.