SMTP Relay in any program: what Host, Port, Encryption, Username and From mean on each screen

E-mail·· 5 views· 3 min read

The short answer: the details are always the same four (server, port, username and password) plus the sender, but every program calls them something different. The table below tells you what to enter under each name you will meet. Where most people go wrong is the encryption: port 587 takes STARTTLS, port 465 takes TLS (or SSL).

The name on screen and what to enter

It may appear as What to enter
Server, Host, SMTP Host, Outgoing server The server shown in the Email Center Connection card. It is not the server of your mailboxes.
Port 587, or 465 if 587 is blocked on your network.
Encryption, Security, Secure connection With 587: STARTTLS (many plugins just call it «TLS»). With 465: SSL/TLS (older programs say «SSL»).
Authentication, SMTP Auth, «My server requires authentication» On. If the program asks for a method, leave it on automatic.
Username, Login, User The SMTP credential username, exactly as the Email Center showed it. It is not your e-mail address.
Password The credential password, the one shown only once.
From, From address, Sender An address on a verified domain, for example no-reply@yourcompany.com.
From name The name your customer sees in the inbox: your company or website name.
Reply-To Optional: a real mailbox where replies should go.
Swapping port and encryption gives a «TLS error». The rule is simple: 587 with STARTTLS, 465 with TLS. Do not mix them. Port 25 and «no encryption» are not part of these settings. Why there are three ports is explained in SMTP ports 465, 587 and 25.

Where these fields usually are

Program Where to look
WordPress In your SMTP plugin, choose «Other SMTP», TLS and port 587. See moving WordPress to SMTP Relay.
Laravel and PHP frameworks In the .env file. See SMTP Relay in Laravel.
PHPMailer In the Host, Port, SMTPSecure, Username and Password properties. See PHPMailer.
Node.js and Python In the Nodemailer or smtplib configuration. See the examples.
Printers and devices On the device configuration page, under E-mail or SMTP. See connecting devices.
ERP and billing software In the e-mail or document sending settings. See invoices through SMTP Relay.
Some programs have a «Force From» option. Turn it on and enter an address on your verified domain: that way no e-mail leaves with another sender and gets refused.

Not sure which field is which in your program? Send us a screenshot of the settings, without the password, and we will tell you what to enter.

Open a support ticket

SEE ALSO

Getting started with SMTP Relay: verify the domain, create a credential, connect your program

SMTP Relay not sending: connection, TLS, login, sender and recipient problems, one by one

SMTP ports 465, 587 and 25: SSL, STARTTLS and which one to use

Moving WordPress e-mail from a mailbox to SMTP Relay: what changes in your SMTP plugin

SMTP Relay in Laravel and other PHP frameworks: the .env settings and a first test e-mail

Printers, scanners and other devices that send e-mail: connecting them to SMTP Relay

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