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How to Fix the 'From Email' Address Being Overridden by Your SMTP Username

19 threads Sep 10, 2025

Content

One of the most common issues users face with the 'Easy WP SMTP' plugin is the 'From Email' address being ignored or replaced by the SMTP username. This can be frustrating, especially when you're trying to send emails from different addresses for various forms or functions on your WordPress site.

Why Does This Happen?

This behavior is not necessarily a bug but is often a result of how SMTP servers and the plugin's settings interact. Most SMTP providers, like Gmail, Outlook, or Office 365, have strict security policies. To prevent spam, they often automatically rewrite the 'From' header of an email to match the authenticated username used to connect to their server. This means that even if you set a different 'From Email' in your WordPress form or the Easy WP SMTP settings, the SMTP service itself changes it back.

Common Solutions

1. Use the "Don't Replace 'From' Field" Setting

The primary solution for this issue, as referenced in multiple support threads, is a specific plugin setting.

  1. Navigate to WP Admin Dashboard → Settings → Easy WP SMTP → Additional Settings.
  2. Locate the field labeled "Don't Replace 'From' Field".
  3. In this field, enter the full email addresses (separated by commas) that you want the plugin to ignore. This tells the plugin not to force its global 'From Email' setting on emails originating from these addresses.
  4. Save the changes and run a test.

Example: If your contact form is set to send from [email protected] and your membership plugin sends from [email protected], you would enter both addresses in this field: [email protected], [email protected].

2. Check Your SMTP Provider's Policies

If the first solution doesn't work, the limitation might be with your email provider. Services like Gmail often block the ability to send from a different 'From' address by default.

  • For Gmail/Google Workspace: You must add the alternative 'From' email address as an alias within your Google account settings. The sending address must be a valid alias or account you own and have verified within Google.
  • For Other Providers (e.g., Outlook, Custom SMTP): Check your provider's documentation. Some may allow it if the domain is verified (like with a Sending Domain feature), while others may not allow it at all.

3. Review Conflicting Plugin Settings

Another setting within Easy WP SMTP can interfere. In the Additional Settings tab, ensure that the option "Force From Name Replacement" is disabled. As noted in the support threads, having this enabled can prevent other plugins, like contact forms, from setting their own 'From' details.

4. Test with a Default WordPress Email

To isolate the issue, temporarily deactivate your form plugin (e.g., Contact Form 7, Gravity Forms) and use the 'Test Email' feature built into the Easy WP SMTP plugin. If the 'From' address is correct in the test email, the issue is likely a configuration conflict with your form plugin and not the SMTP plugin itself. You may need to consult the support resources for your specific form plugin.

Summary

If your 'From Email' is being overridden by your SMTP username, the most effective first step is to use the "Don't Replace 'From' Field" setting in Easy WP SMTP. If that doesn't resolve it, you will need to verify that your SMTP provider permits sending from other addresses and that you have configured any necessary aliases or domain verification on their end.

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