WordPress Password Reset Email Not Sending 8 Easy Fixes

By Basharat Ali Khan | Last updated: October 26, 2026

WordPress password reset email not sending is a frustrating, locked-out kind of problem. You click Lost your password?, WordPress shows a confirmation message, and then nothing arrives. It gets especially stressful if it is your own admin account you cannot get into.

This guide explains why WordPress password reset email not sending happens, how to fix it for good, and what to do if you are locked out of the dashboard completely.

Quick Answer

WordPress password reset email not sending is usually fixed by setting up SMTP, because the default PHP mail function is unreliable and often blocked or sent to spam. Check your spam folder and the account email first, install an SMTP plugin and send a test email. If you are locked out, reset the password with WP-CLI or the database instead.

Why WordPress Password Reset Email Not Sending Happens

By default, WordPress sends email, including password reset links, through the PHP mail() function of your server. That function usually does not prove who the sender is, so Gmail, Outlook and other providers may silently block the message or send it to spam, and WordPress never shows an error. Some hosts also restrict or disable mail() altogether to stop spam.

Fix 1: Check Spam, Junk and Promotions Folders

With WordPress password reset email not sending, always start here, because reset emails often trigger security-related spam filters.

Check the spam or junk folder in the mailbox you used.
In Gmail, also check the Promotions and All Mail tabs.
Search for the sender address, which is often wordpress@yourdomain.com.
Wait a few minutes. Some providers delay messages from new or unknown senders.

Fix 2: Confirm the Account and Email Address

WordPress password reset email not sending can simply mean the email is going to an address you no longer use.

If you can still log in as another admin, go to Users and open the account to check the email field.
When you request the reset, try both the username and the email address. Only one may match the account.
Make sure you are using the correct login page. A custom login URL or a membership plugin can change how the reset process works.

Fix 3: Set Up SMTP (The Reliable Fix)

This fixes WordPress password reset email not sending in most cases, because it replaces the unreliable PHP mail function with a properly authenticated email service.

Install an SMTP plugin. WP Mail SMTP, FluentSMTP and Post SMTP are widely used options.
Connect it to a real email sending service or to your own mailbox through the setup wizard.
Send the plugin’s test email and confirm it arrives in the inbox, not just that WordPress says it was sent.

If you connect a Gmail or Google Workspace account, you now need a supported method such as OAuth or an app password, not your normal account password. Once SMTP works, all WordPress emails become more reliable, including new user notices and contact form messages.

Fix 4: Check Your Host’s Mail Limits and the From Address

WordPress password reset email not sending can also come from hosting limits, even when SMTP is not set up yet.

Ask your host whether the PHP mail() function is enabled and whether your account has an email sending limit.
Check that the “From” address uses your own domain, such as wordpress@yourdomain.com. A From address on another domain is a common reason for rejection.
Check whether your hosting IP or domain is on a spam blocklist. Your host can tell you.

Fix 5: Reset the Password Without Email (If You Are Locked Out)

If WordPress password reset email not sending has locked you out of the dashboard, you do not need email at all. You have two options. Take a backup first.

Option A: Use WP-CLI if you have SSH access

From your site’s folder, you can list users and update one password:

wp user list
wp user update USERNAME --user_pass='YourNewStrongPassword'

Replace the username and use a strong password. Change it again after you log in, because commands can be saved in your server’s history.

Option B: Use phpMyAdmin through your hosting panel

Open phpMyAdmin and select your WordPress database.
Open the users table. It is usually called wp_users, but the prefix can be different on your site, such as abc_users.
Click Edit next to your username.
In the user_pass field, type a new password and set the function dropdown next to it to MD5.
Save the change and log in. WordPress upgrades the password to a stronger hash after you log in.

Fix 6: Rule Out a Plugin Conflict

Sometimes a security or membership plugin interrupts the reset process itself, not just the email. If your SMTP test email arrives but WordPress password reset email not sending still happens for reset requests:

Deactivate plugins one at a time, starting with security, login and membership plugins.
Request a reset again after each one.
When it works, check that plugin’s settings for a login or email option.

Fix 7: Add SPF, DKIM and DMARC Records

If emails send but always land in spam, your domain probably lacks email authentication records. WordPress password reset email not sending to the inbox is often a DNS problem.

SPF says which servers may send email for your domain.
DKIM signs your emails so receivers can see they were not altered.
DMARC tells receivers what to do with email that fails these checks.

Your SMTP or email provider gives you the exact records to add in your domain’s DNS. This improves delivery for every email your site sends.

Fix 8: Check Whether the Email Was Actually Sent

When WordPress password reset email not sending stays a mystery, find out whether WordPress even tried to send it.

Install an email log plugin (many SMTP plugins include a log) and request a reset. If the log shows the message as sent, the problem is delivery or spam. If nothing is logged, the process is failing earlier, often because of a plugin or a blocked mail function.
Check your SMTP provider’s dashboard for bounces or blocked messages.
Test with a different email address, such as one at another provider, to see whether only one provider is rejecting it.

Quick Reference Table

If WordPress password reset email not sending still leaves you unsure where to start, match your symptom here.

Symptom	Likely cause	Fix
Nothing arrives, no error shown	Unreliable PHP mail	Fix 3
Email goes to the wrong or old address	Wrong account email	Fix 2
Other site emails fail too	Host mail limits or From address	Fix 4
Locked out of the dashboard	You need a manual reset	Fix 5
Test email works, reset does not	Plugin conflict	Fix 6
Email always lands in spam	Missing SPF, DKIM or DMARC	Fix 7
You are not sure it was sent	Delivery or logging problem	Fix 8

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this the same problem as my contact form not sending emails?

Yes. WordPress password reset email not sending and contact form emails failing usually share the same cause, the unreliable default mail function, which is why SMTP fixes email across the whole site.

Can I reset a password without any email at all?

Yes. With hosting or database access, WP-CLI or phpMyAdmin lets you reset it directly (Fix 5), with no email needed.

Why did this only start happening recently?

WordPress password reset email not sending often begins after an email provider tightens its spam rules, or after a hosting change alters how your server sends mail. SMTP solves it either way.

Will SMTP also fix other WordPress emails?

Yes. New user notifications, order emails and form messages all use the same mail system, so they improve too.

Is it safe to change a password through the database?

Yes, if you take a backup first and follow the steps carefully. WordPress upgrades the password hash when you next log in.

Do I need a developer for this?

Often not. SMTP setup is manageable for most site owners. A developer helps if you are locked out with no database access, or if DNS and delivery problems continue.

Need Help Getting Back Into Your Site?

If WordPress password reset email not sending has locked you out and you need it fixed quickly, contact me here and mention that it is urgent. I will restore your access and set up reliable email delivery. See also my WordPress security service.

About the author
Basharat Ali Khan is a WordPress developer in Gilgit, Pakistan with 8+ years of experience building custom plugins, Elementor sites and WooCommerce stores.
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