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Why Contact Form 7 Doesn't Store Entries and How to Fix It

51 threads Sep 16, 2025 Plugin → Contact form 7

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A common point of confusion for many WordPress users, especially those new to Contact Form 7, is the question of where form submissions are stored. If you've ever filled out a form on your site and then wondered, "Where did that information go?" you're not alone. This guide will explain the default behavior of the plugin and provide the most common solution for saving and managing your form entries.

The Core Issue: Contact Form 7 Doesn't Store Entries by Default

Unlike some other form plugins, a standard installation of Contact Form 7 does not have a built-in database to save the messages it receives. This is its intended design. When a user submits a form, the plugin's primary function is to process the data and send it via email to the address(es) you configure. Once the email is sent, the submission data is not retained on your server.

This is why you cannot find a list of entries within your WordPress admin dashboard under Contact Form 7. The plugin's menu will only show options to edit your forms, not to view past submissions.

The Recommended Solution: Use the Flamingo Plugin

The most common and reliable way to save Contact Form 7 submissions is by using a free, official add-on plugin called Flamingo. Developed by the same team behind Contact Form 7, Flamingo acts as a safe haven for your messages.

Here’s how to set it up:

  1. Install and activate the Flamingo plugin from the WordPress plugin repository.
  2. There is no configuration needed. The plugin works immediately upon activation.
  3. After your next form submission, you will find a new "Flamingo" item in your WordPress admin menu.
  4. Navigate to Flamingo → Inbound Messages to view a log of all form submissions, including the sender's information, subject, message body, and the date it was received.

Flamingo stores entries in your WordPress database, providing a reliable backup in case an email fails to send or gets lost. It works regardless of whether you built your site with Elementor, the classic editor, or any other page builder.

Other Considerations and Troubleshooting

  • Third-Party Add-ons: Some threads mentioned issues with premium add-ons for saving entries (like "Save Entry and Redirect"). If you are using a third-party plugin for this functionality and it stops working after a CF7 update, the conflict is likely with that add-on, not CF7 itself. Your first step should be to contact the support for that specific add-on plugin.
  • Form and Email Configuration: Always double-check that your form's email settings are correctly configured in the Mail tab of the form editor. An incorrect email address or mail server issue can prevent you from receiving submissions at all.

By understanding that entry storage is not a default feature and implementing the Flamingo solution, you can easily resolve the confusion and ensure you never lose a form submission again.

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