Knowledge Base

How to configure an external SMTP server in Plesk

Question

How to use an external SMTP server in Plesk?

Answer

Note: WordPress plugins will not be able to send mail using external SMTP settings from Plesk. It is required to install and configure an additional WordPress plugin, e.g., SMTP Mail, in order to use external SMTP server with WordPress.

Setting up external SMTP server in Plesk for Linux

Install the SMTP server:
- via Plesk
  1. Log in to Plesk.
  2. Go to Tools & Settings > Updates.
  3. On the Updates and Upgrades page, click Add/Remove Components.
  4. On the Add/Remove Components page, expand Mail hosting and select MSMTP (relay only).
    
    Warning: If local mail server is installed, it will be removed along with other mail components like Mailman, SpamAssassin, Dovecot.
  5. Click Continue to begin the installation.
- via a command-line interface
  1. Connect to the Plesk server via SSH.
  2. Run the following command to install the SMTP server:
    
    # plesk installer add --components msmtp
Once the component is installed, go to Tools & Settings > External SMTP Server.
Select Allow Plesk to send email notifications through this SMTP server to make notifications be sent via the external SMTP server.
Specify external SMTP server settings and click OK.

Setting up external SMTP server in Plesk for Windows Server

Log in to Plesk.
Go to Tools & Settings > External SMTP Server.
Uncheck the setting Use the mail server installed with Plesk and the default mail account created by Plesk.
Specify external SMTP server settings.