Title: Failed to send – authentication error Last modified: December 13, 2017 --- # Failed to send – authentication error * Resolved [ASGrant](https://wordpress.org/support/users/asgrant/) * (@asgrant) * [8 years, 5 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/failed-to-send-authentication-error/) * Just upgraded WP Mail SMTP to the latest version. We added the password to our wp-config file as recommended but the contact forms won’t fire unless we turn OFF authentication. * Here’s the error file: * There was a problem while sending a test email. The related debugging output is shown below: Versions * WordPress: 4.9.1 PHP: 7.0.22 WP Mail SMTP: 1.0.2 PHPMailer * ErrorInfo: SMTP connect() failed. [https://github.com/PHPMailer/PHPMailer/wiki/Troubleshooting](https://github.com/PHPMailer/PHPMailer/wiki/Troubleshooting) Mailer: smtp Host: secure182.inmotionhosting.com Port: 465 SMTPSecure: ssl SMTPAutoTLS: bool(true) SMTPAuth: bool(true) SMTP Debug * 2017-12-13 16:05:34 SERVER -> CLIENT: 220-ecbiz182.inmotionhosting.com ESMTP Exim 4.89 #1 Wed, 13 Dec 2017 11:05:34 -0500 220-We do not authorize the use of this system to transport unsolicited, 220 and/or bulk e-mail. 2017-12-13 16: 05:34 CLIENT -> SERVER: EHLO [http://www.brickface.com](http://www.brickface.com) 2017-12-13 16:05:34 SERVER -> CLIENT: 250-ecbiz182.inmotionhosting.com Hello [http://www.brickface.com](http://www.brickface.com) [198.46.81.22] 250-SIZE 52428800 250-8BITMIME 250-PIPELINING 250-AUTH PLAIN LOGIN 250-CHUNKING 250 HELP 2017-12-13 16:05:34 CLIENT -> SERVER: AUTH LOGIN 2017-12-13 16:05:34 SERVER - > CLIENT: 334 VXNlcm5hbWU6 2017-12-13 16:05:34 CLIENT -> SERVER: aW5mb0Bicmlja2ZhY2UuY29t 2017-12-13 16:05:34 SERVER -> CLIENT: 334 UGFzc3dvcmQ6 2017-12-13 16:05:34 CLIENT- > SERVER: Y2dpKmdhcmRlbiokdGF0ZSp3cA== 2017-12-13 16:05:36 SERVER -> CLIENT: 535 Incorrect authentication data 2017-12-13 16:05:36 SMTP ERROR: Password command failed: 535 Incorrect authentication data 2017-12-13 16:05:36 SMTP Error: Could not authenticate. 2017-12-13 16:05:36 CLIENT -> SERVER: QUIT 2017-12-13 16:05: 36 SERVER -> CLIENT: 221 ecbiz182.inmotionhosting.com closing connection 2017- 12-13 16:05:36 SMTP connect() failed. [https://github.com/PHPMailer/PHPMailer/wiki/Troubleshooting](https://github.com/PHPMailer/PHPMailer/wiki/Troubleshooting) Dismiss this notice. * Your help will be appreciated. * The page I need help with: _[[log in](https://login.wordpress.org/?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fwordpress.org%2Fsupport%2Ftopic%2Ffailed-to-send-authentication-error%2F%3Foutput_format%3Dmd&locale=en_US) to see the link]_ Viewing 5 replies - 1 through 5 (of 5 total) * [olcaytoperez](https://wordpress.org/support/users/olcaytoperez/) * (@olcaytoperez) * [8 years, 5 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/failed-to-send-authentication-error/#post-9779453) * Hi, * Just experienced the same issue a few minutes ago. Then I removed the ‘suggested’ definitions from wp-config.php file and defined the password in the plugin’s settings form. BINGO! * Plugin Author [Slava Abakumov](https://wordpress.org/support/users/slaffik/) * (@slaffik) * [8 years, 5 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/failed-to-send-authentication-error/#post-9779502) * Hi, * We are aware of this problem. It will be fixed really soon. For now you may consider turning off the auth, but once 1.0.3 will be released – turn it on again. * Thread Starter [ASGrant](https://wordpress.org/support/users/asgrant/) * (@asgrant) * [8 years, 5 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/failed-to-send-authentication-error/#post-9779529) * Thanks. I turned off the auth setting and emails are now transmitting. * [malissas](https://wordpress.org/support/users/malissas/) * (@malissas) * [8 years, 5 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/failed-to-send-authentication-error/#post-9781760) * I can’t turn off auth with O365 🙁 so, looking forward to the update! - This reply was modified 8 years, 5 months ago by [malissas](https://wordpress.org/support/users/malissas/). * [amtenbrink](https://wordpress.org/support/users/amtenbrink/) * (@amtenbrink) * [8 years, 3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/failed-to-send-authentication-error/#post-9896803) * Hi! I have the same problem and can’t turn off the auth neither. I’m using version 1.2.3, so it’s the latest update from yesterday. Is the problem still there or is it my fault? * Here’s the Errorlog from trying to send a test-email: * Versions: WordPress: 4.9.2 WordPress MS: No PHP: 5.6.33 WP Mail SMTP: 1.2.3 * Params: Mailer: smtp Constants: No ErrorInfo: SMTP connect() failed. [https://github.com/PHPMailer/PHPMailer/wiki/Troubleshooting](https://github.com/PHPMailer/PHPMailer/wiki/Troubleshooting) Host: smtp.strato.de Port: 465 SMTPSecure: ssl SMTPAutoTLS: bool(true) SMTPAuth: bool(true) * Server: OpenSSL: Yes SMTP Debug: 2018-01-24 10:05:16 Connection: opening to ssl://smtp.strato.de:465, timeout=300, options=array ( ) 2018-01-24 10:05:16 Connection: opened 2018-01-24 10:05:16 SERVER -> CLIENT: 220 smtp.strato.de ESMTP RZmta (P1 -) 2018-01-24 10:05:16 CLIENT -> SERVER: EHLO [http://www.lebenshilfe-ostfalen.de](http://www.lebenshilfe-ostfalen.de) 2018-01-24 10:05:16 SERVER -> CLIENT: 250-smtp.strato.de greets 2a01:238:4290: f600:e46b:47c5:1fad:3a51 250-ENHANCEDSTATUSCODES 250-PIPELINING 250-8BITMIME 250-DELIVERBY 250-SIZE 104857600 250-AUTH DIGEST-MD5 CRAM-MD5 LOGIN PLAIN 250- BURL imap 250-CHUNKING 250 HELP 2018-01-24 10:05:16 CLIENT -> SERVER: AUTH CRAM- MD5 2018-01-24 10:05:16 SERVER -> CLIENT: 334 PDliMDgwYWFlMjIwYWJlODE2MWJjYThmMDBjQHNtdHAuc3RyYXRvLmRlPg == 2018-01-24 10:05:16 CLIENT -> SERVER: bGhvZkBhbXRlbmJyaW5rLmRlIDM0ZmM3NWYwMmVhZDMwMGM0NzFlZjFmYzBiZThlODZj 2018-01-24 10:05:20 SERVER -> CLIENT: 535 5.7.8 Authentication failed: wrong user/password 2018-01-24 10:05:20 SMTP ERROR: Username command failed: 535 5.7.8 Authentication failed: wrong user/password 2018-01-24 10:05:20 SMTP Error: Could not authenticate. 2018-01-24 10:05:20 CLIENT -> SERVER: QUIT 2018-01-24 10:05: 20 SERVER -> CLIENT: 221 2.0.0 closing connection 2018-01-24 10:05:20 Connection: closed 2018-01-24 10:05:20 SMTP connect() failed. [https://github.com/PHPMailer/PHPMailer/wiki/Troubleshooting](https://github.com/PHPMailer/PHPMailer/wiki/Troubleshooting) * Thank you for helping! Viewing 5 replies - 1 through 5 (of 5 total) The topic ‘Failed to send – authentication error’ is closed to new replies. * ![](https://ps.w.org/wp-mail-smtp/assets/icon-256x256.png?rev=1755440) * [WP Mail SMTP by WPForms - The Most Popular SMTP and Email Log Plugin](https://wordpress.org/plugins/wp-mail-smtp/) * [Frequently Asked Questions](https://wordpress.org/plugins/wp-mail-smtp/#faq) * [Support Threads](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/wp-mail-smtp/) * [Active Topics](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/wp-mail-smtp/active/) * [Unresolved Topics](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/wp-mail-smtp/unresolved/) * [Reviews](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/wp-mail-smtp/reviews/) * 5 replies * 5 participants * Last reply from: [amtenbrink](https://wordpress.org/support/users/amtenbrink/) * Last activity: [8 years, 3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/failed-to-send-authentication-error/#post-9896803) * Status: resolved