---
title: "How to Fix UpdraftPlus Not Sending Emails [Step-by-Step Guide]"
id: "190196"
type: "post"
slug: "updraftplus-not-sending-email"
published_at: "2026-09-11T10:44:58+00:00"
modified_at: "2026-09-11T10:45:08+00:00"
url: "https://postmansmtp.com/updraftplus-not-sending-email/"
markdown_url: "https://postmansmtp.com/updraftplus-not-sending-email.md"
excerpt: "Is UpdraftPlus not sending emails after your backups? Missing backup notifications can make it difficult to know whether a scheduled backup completed successfully or encountered an error. Backup notifications give you another way to verify that your scheduled backups run..."
taxonomy_category:
  - "Troubleshooting"
---

## Post SMTP Blog

Tutorials and expert advice to improve WordPress email deliverability.

# How to Fix UpdraftPlus Not Sending Emails [Step-by-Step Guide]

### by **[Tahir Ali](https://postmansmtp.com/author/tahir/)**

###### September 11, 2026

###### SUMMARIZE:

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### ChatGPT

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### Perplexity

[https://postmansmtp.com/updraftplus-not-sending-email.md](https://postmansmtp.com/updraftplus-not-sending-email.md)
### View Markdown

### TL;DR

UpdraftPlus not sending emails can result from incorrect notification settings, scheduled backup issues, WordPress email delivery problems, SMTP errors, or spam filtering. This guide explains how to troubleshoot UpdraftPlus email notifications step by step. Learn how to configure the Post SMTP plugin to fix WordPress email delivery problems, verify SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, check email logs, troubleshoot backup attachments, and confirm successful email delivery. You’ll also learn how to monitor WordPress email performance and prevent future notification issues.

In This Article

1. [What Is UpdraftPlus and How Does It Send Emails?](#what-is-updraftplus-and-how-does-it-send-emails)
2. [Why Is UpdraftPlus Not Sending Emails?](#why-is-updraftplus-not-sending-emails)
3. [Step-by-Step Process to Fix UpdraftPlus Not Sending Emails](#step-by-step-process-to-fix-updraftplus-not-sending-emails)
4. [Next, Fix Missing UpdraftPlus Backup Email Attachments](#next-fix-missing-updraftplus-backup-email-attachments)
5. [How to Confirm UpdraftPlus Emails Are Working Again](#how-to-confirm-updraftplus-emails-are-working-again)
6. [How to Prevent UpdraftPlus Email Problems](#how-to-prevent-updraftplus-email-problems)
7. [Managing WordPress Email Across Multiple Sites (Optional)](#managing-wordpress-email-across-multiple-sites-optional)
8. [Upgrade to Post SMTP Pro for Advanced Email Monitoring](#upgrade-to-post-smtp-pro-for-advanced-email-monitoring)
9. [Frequently Asked Questions](#frequently-asked-questions)

Is UpdraftPlus not sending emails after your backups? Missing backup notifications can make it difficult to know whether a scheduled backup completed successfully or encountered an error.

Backup notifications give you another way to verify that your scheduled backups run as expected. If the emails stop arriving, check both the UpdraftPlus backup status and your WordPress email delivery.

The cause usually falls into one of a few areas, such as UpdraftPlus notification settings, WordPress email delivery, SMTP configuration, mail server restrictions, or mailbox filtering.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to identify where the email fails and how to fix the problem. You’ll also learn how to check backup email attachments, verify your email setup, and monitor WordPress email delivery over time.

## **What Is UpdraftPlus and How Does It Send Emails?**

[UpdraftPlus](https://wordpress.org/plugins/updraftplus/)
 is a WordPress backup and migration plugin that lets you back up, restore, and migrate your website.

You can store your backups in remote locations such as:

- UpdraftVault
- Google Drive
- Dropbox
- Amazon S3
- Other supported remote storage services

You can also run backups manually or schedule them to run automatically.

When you enable email reporting in UpdraftPlus, the plugin can send backup reports and notifications to specified email addresses. Premium reporting features provide more detailed information and additional reporting controls.

Backup notifications can help you confirm that a backup job ran as expected. However, the absence of an email does not automatically mean that the backup failed. Always check the UpdraftPlus backup log to verify the actual backup status.

### **Why Am I Not Receiving UpdraftPlus Backup Notifications?**

You may stop receiving UpdraftPlus backup notifications because:

- UpdraftPlus notification settings need attention
- The scheduled backup does not run
- WordPress cannot send the email
- Your hosting environment restricts outgoing mail
- Your SMTP configuration has an error
- The mailer rejects the message
- SPF, DKIM, or DMARC configuration causes authentication problems
- Spam filters move or reject the message
- The recipient mailbox applies filtering rules

## **Why Is UpdraftPlus Not Sending Emails?**

UpdraftPlus email problems can originate from several places. The most common causes include incorrect notification settings, scheduled backup problems, WordPress email delivery issues, SMTP configuration problems, and spam filtering.

Let’s look at each one before fixing the issue.

### **1. UpdraftPlus Notification Settings Need Attention**

Sometimes the problem starts inside UpdraftPlus.

If you have not configured the email reporting settings correctly, UpdraftPlus may not send the notification you expect. Your reporting configuration can also determine which events trigger an email.

Start by checking the backup log and email reporting settings. If UpdraftPlus does not generate a notification, focus on its configuration before troubleshooting SMTP.

### **2. WordPress Email Delivery Has a Problem**

UpdraftPlus sends WordPress emails through WordPress’s wp_mail() function. WordPress then hands the message to the configured mail transport.

Depending on your setup, WordPress can use the hosting environment’s default mail system or an SMTP service configured through a plugin.

The default mail setup can create [deliverability problems](https://postmansmtp.com/email-deliverability-guide/)
 on some hosting environments. Some hosts restrict outgoing mail, while some receiving providers apply stricter filtering to messages that lack appropriate authentication.

### **3. SMTP Configuration Issues**

An SMTP plugin can route WordPress emails through an authenticated SMTP server or supported email API.

However, an SMTP plugin cannot fix every email problem automatically. You still need to configure the selected mailer correctly and complete any required sender verification or domain authentication.

A wrong API key, incorrect SMTP credentials, an invalid sender address, or an incomplete mailer setup can stop the message from reaching the mail server.

### **4. Spam Filters and Email Authentication**

Receiving mail servers evaluate several signals when they process incoming messages. These signals can include authentication, sender reputation, message headers, domain alignment, and content.

[SPF, DKIM, and DMARC](https://postmansmtp.com/dmarc-spf-dkim/)
 help receiving servers evaluate whether your domain authorizes a message and how they should handle authentication failures.

If your WordPress emails consistently go to spam, check your domain authentication and your email provider’s sending configuration.

## **Step-by-Step Process to Fix UpdraftPlus Not Sending Emails**

Before you change anything, identify where the email fails.

Use this simple troubleshooting path:

1. Check the UpdraftPlus backup and reporting settings.
2. Install and configure an SMTP plugin.
3. Check the recipient mailbox and spam folder.
4. Review your email authentication and mailer configuration.

This approach helps you determine whether the problem starts with UpdraftPlus, WordPress, your mailer, or the recipient’s email server.

### **Step 1: Check Your UpdraftPlus Backup & Reporting Settings**

The first step is to make sure UpdraftPlus is actually configured to send notifications.

1. In your WordPress dashboard, go to UpdraftPlus.

1. Click on the Settings tab from the top bar.

1. Scroll down to the **Email** section and make sure email reporting is enabled. Then save your changes.

1. Now head back to the Backup / Restore tab and run a manual backup by clicking Backup Now.

1. When the backup completes, click ‘View Log’ to see if an email was triggered.

1. In the log file, you should see an entry indicating that the email has been sent.

**Note:** UpdraftPlus provides basic reporting in the free version, while Premium adds advanced reporting controls. If you use Premium, check the **Send reports** section and review which events trigger reports.

If you use advanced reporting, check the following settings:

- Open the **Send reports** section.
- Make sure you entered the correct email addresses.
- Check whether you enabled the option to send reports only when warnings or errors occur.
- Save your changes after updating the settings.

If UpdraftPlus completes the backup but does not generate the expected notification, continue troubleshooting the UpdraftPlus settings before changing your WordPress mail configuration.

### **Step 2: Install, Activate & Configure the SMTP Plugin**

If your backup logs show that an email was triggered but nothing landed in your inbox, you’re likely dealing with [WordPress email delivery issues](https://postmansmtp.com/wordpress-not-sending-emails/)
 rather than an UpdraftPlus configuration problem.

The easiest and most effective fix is to use a [WordPress SMTP plugin](https://postmansmtp.com/)
 such as [Post SMTP](https://wordpress.org/plugins/post-smtp/)
, which configures WordPress to send emails through an authenticated SMTP connection.

Here’s how to set it up:

1. Go to your WordPress admin dashboard, then head to Plugins → Add Plugin.

1. Enter Post SMTP in the search bar.

1. Click ‘Install Now,’ then ‘Activate’ the plugin.

1. Once activated, go to Post SMTP → Dashboard and click Start the Wizard.

The setup wizard will walk you through connecting your site to a reliable email provider. Post SMTP supports all major services, including:

- [Gmail](https://postmansmtp.com/smtp-integrations/gmail-google-smtp/) (Google Workspace)
- [Outlook (Microsoft 365)](https://postmansmtp.com/smtp-integrations/microsoft-outlook-smtp/)
- [Brevo](https://postmansmtp.com/smtp-integrations/brevo/) (formerly Sendinblue)
- [Zoho Mail](https://postmansmtp.com/extensions/zoho-mail-pro-extension/)
- [Sendgrid](https://postmansmtp.com/smtp-integrations/sendgrid/)
- …and many others.

For this guide, we have picked ‘SendGrid.’

On the subsequent screen, provide the following details:

- Enter your ‘From Email’ (use the same domain-based email you want your backup alerts to come from, like example@yourdomain.com).
- Enter your ‘From Name’ (the name that shows in your inbox).
- Add your SMTP credentials or ‘API key.’
- Click ‘Save and Continue.’

Before relying on backup notifications again, send a test email to verify that your SMTP connection works correctly.

If it lands in your inbox, you’re good to go. From now on, WordPress emails that use wp_mail(), including UpdraftPlus notifications, will use your configured mailer for sending.

### **Step 3: Verify Your Sending Domain and Email Authentication**

After configuring your mailer, check whether it requires sender or domain verification.

Your email provider may ask you to add DNS records for email authentication. These records can include SPF and [DKIM records](https://postmansmtp.com/what-is-dkim-record/)
, while DMARC provides an additional policy and reporting layer.

Keep in mind that your SMTP plugin does not create [DNS records](https://postmansmtp.com/set-up-dns-records-for-sending-email/)
 for your domain. Your DNS provider manages those records.

For example, if your mailer provides SPF and DKIM records, add them to the DNS settings for the domain you use in your **From Email** address.

Then verify the domain inside your email provider’s dashboard.

A properly configured sending domain can help receiving mail servers authenticate your messages and make better delivery decisions.

### **Step 4: Check the Post SMTP Email Log**

Post SMTP provides email logs that help you troubleshoot WordPress email activity.

After running your UpdraftPlus backup, open the Post SMTP email logs and find the notification.

Check information such as:

- Recipient address
- Sender address
- Subject
- Sending status
- Error details
- Message information
- Attachments, when the relevant attachment feature is available

If the log shows an error, use that error message to identify the problem.

For example, authentication errors can point to incorrect credentials or API keys. Connection errors can point to a mailer or server configuration problem. Recipient errors can indicate an invalid or rejected email address.

Remember that a successful sending or mail-server acceptance status does not automatically guarantee inbox placement. The recipient’s mail server can still filter or reject the message.

### **Step 5: Enable the Post SMTP Email Health Report**

Once Post SMTP is set up, your backup notifications should already start reaching your inbox. But what about tomorrow or next week? How do you know your emails will keep working over time? That’s where the Email Health Report comes in.

This feature inside Post SMTP keeps track of how your emails are performing and sends you regular updates. It’s a simple way to monitor your WordPress email activity and review sending, failure, and open statistics over time.

Here’s how to enable it:

1. In your WordPress dashboard, go to ‘Post SMTP → Settings.’
2. Click on the ‘Email Reporting’ tab.
3. Toggle the switch to ‘Enable.’
4. Choose how often you want reports:
  - Daily
  - Weekly
  - Monthly

5. Click ‘Save Changes.’

Now, you’ll get consistent reports summarizing your email delivery status as shown in the screenshot below.

## **Next, Fix Missing UpdraftPlus Backup Email Attachments**

UpdraftPlus can also send backup files by email when you configure the relevant reporting or email backup options. However, email does not work well as a transport method for large backup files.

Several issues can affect backup email attachments.

### **Attachment Size Limits**

Email providers and mail servers impose message-size limits.

If your backup exceeds the sender or recipient’s limit, the email may fail to send or the receiving server may reject it. UpdraftPlus also warns that mail server limits can affect the delivery of larger backup reports with attached files.

For large backups, avoid relying on email as your primary backup storage method.

### **Security Filters**

Email providers apply security checks to attachments because attackers often use files to distribute malware.

A receiving provider may block or quarantine an attachment based on its file type, size, security policies, or other signals.

### **Multiple Backup Files**

UpdraftPlus can split large backup archives into multiple files.

Email still creates a poor delivery channel for large backup archives because mail servers can impose message-size limits and recipients may not receive every message as expected.

### **Use Remote Storage for Large Backups**

For larger backups, use dedicated remote storage instead of email.

Configure UpdraftPlus to store your backup files in a remote location such as:

- Google Drive
- Dropbox
- Amazon S3
- UpdraftVault
- Another supported remote storage service

You can keep email notifications enabled while storing the actual backup files separately.

This setup gives you two separate functions:

**Backup storage:** Remote cloud storage

**Backup notification:** Email

If you use Post SMTP for WordPress email delivery, Post SMTP can handle the notification email while UpdraftPlus stores the backup files in your selected remote destination.

## **How to Confirm UpdraftPlus Emails Are Working Again**

After configuring SMTP, run a manual backup and check these points:

1. The backup completes successfully.
2. UpdraftPlus generates the expected notification.
3. Post SMTP logs show that the message was successfully processed or sent through the configured mailer.
4. The recipient receives the message in the inbox or another expected mailbox folder.

If all four checks pass, your UpdraftPlus notification workflow is working as expected.

If the message appears successful in the Post SMTP log but the recipient cannot find it, check the spam folder, mailbox filters, recipient address, and mailer delivery information.

## **How to Prevent UpdraftPlus Email Problems**

Once your UpdraftPlus notifications work again, take a few additional steps to reduce future problems.

### **Keep WordPress and UpdraftPlus Updated**

Use current versions of WordPress and UpdraftPlus. Plugin updates can include compatibility fixes, security improvements, and bug fixes.

### **Use Remote Backup Storage**

Store backup files away from your WordPress hosting account.

If your server fails or you lose access to your hosting account, a remote backup gives you another copy of your website data.

### **Monitor Email Delivery**

A working email setup can still encounter problems later. Monitor your WordPress email logs and look for failed messages or recurring mailer errors.

### **Configure Domain Authentication**

Configure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC according to your email provider’s requirements.

These records help receiving mail servers evaluate messages sent from your domain.

## **Managing WordPress Email Across Multiple Sites (Optional)**

If you manage multiple WordPress sites for clients, an agency, or your own projects, checking email delivery on every site can take time.

The [MainWP Post SMTP Extension](https://postmansmtp.com/mainwp-post-smtp/)
 can help you manage Post SMTP across connected WordPress sites.

You can use it to:

- View email health information from connected sites
- Monitor email delivery across multiple websites
- Manage email settings more efficiently
- Reduce manual email troubleshooting

This makes the extension more useful for agencies and WordPress administrators who manage multiple websites.

## **Upgrade to Post SMTP Pro for Advanced Email Monitoring**

If you need deeper monitoring and troubleshooting tools, Post SMTP Pro adds advanced features for managing WordPress email delivery.

Depending on your plan and installed extensions, you can access features such as:

- **Advanced Mailer Connections:** Connect your WordPress site to supported SMTP and email API providers.
- **Email Quota Scheduling:** Control how many emails your site can send within defined time periods.
- **Email Health Reports:** Monitor email activity with scheduled reports and delivery statistics.
- **Failure Alerts:** Receive notifications when email failures occur through supported alert channels.
- **Auto-Retry for Failed Emails:** Configure automatic retries for failed email attempts.
- **Email Log Attachments:** View attachments associated with logged emails when the relevant extension is active.
- **Resend Emails:** Resend logged emails from the email log when the feature supports the message.
- **Mobile App Access:** Monitor and manage WordPress email activity from supported mobile tools.

With these features, you can do more than troubleshoot one UpdraftPlus notification problem. You can monitor and manage WordPress email delivery across your site.

Every successful backup should give you a clear way to verify its status. Post SMTP Pro gives you additional email logs, monitoring, alerts, and troubleshooting tools that can help you manage that notification workflow.

[Upgrade to Post SMTP Pro today](https://postmansmtp.com/pricing/)
 and take greater control of your WordPress email delivery.

## **Frequently Asked Questions**

### **Why is UpdraftPlus not sending backup emails?**

UpdraftPlus email notifications can fail for several reasons, including incorrect notification settings, scheduled backup problems, WordPress email delivery issues, SMTP configuration errors, mail server restrictions, and spam filtering.

### **Does UpdraftPlus send emails in the free version?**

Yes. UpdraftPlus includes basic email reporting, while Premium adds advanced reporting options and additional controls for backup reports.

### **How do I test UpdraftPlus email notifications?**

Run a manual backup and review the UpdraftPlus backup log to confirm that the notification process ran. Then check the Post SMTP email log if you use Post SMTP. Finally, check the recipient mailbox to confirm that the message arrived.

### **Can SMTP fix UpdraftPlus email issues?**

SMTP can improve WordPress email delivery by routing messages through an authenticated mail server. However, SMTP does not guarantee inbox placement because recipient mail servers still apply their own filtering and delivery policies.

### **Why does UpdraftPlus send backup emails to spam?**

Receiving mail servers evaluate authentication, sender reputation, message headers, domain alignment, and other signals. Check your SPF, DKIM, and DMARC configuration and review the spam or filtering policies of the recipient mailbox.

### **Why does UpdraftPlus send the backup email but not the attachment?**

Large backup files can exceed email message-size limits. Security filters can also block or quarantine attachments. For large backups, store the files in remote storage such as Google Drive, Dropbox, Amazon S3, or UpdraftVault and use email only for notifications.

### **How do I know whether UpdraftPlus actually sent an email?**

Check the UpdraftPlus backup log first. If you use Post SMTP, check its email log to see whether WordPress processed the notification through the configured mailer. Then check the recipient mailbox because a successful sending status does not guarantee inbox placement.

### **Can I monitor UpdraftPlus emails across multiple WordPress sites?**

Yes. If you manage multiple WordPress websites, you can use the MainWP Post SMTP Extension to monitor and manage Post SMTP email activity across connected sites.

[https://postmansmtp.com/pricing/](https://postmansmtp.com/pricing/)

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