How to Send Email in Joomla using the Outlook SMTP Server

Are you frustrated with unreliable email delivery on your Joomla site? You're not alone.

Many Joomla users struggle with emails not reaching their destination due to limitations with the default "PHP Mail" method, which often doesn't work due to server restrictions or misconfigurations.

Fortunately, there is a reliable solution using the Outlook SMTP server, which is a part of the Microsoft 365 suite. This includes Outlook accounts and Hotmail addresses, as Hotmail has been integrated into Outlook.com.

In this article, we'll guide you through the steps to configure your Joomla site to send emails using the Outlook SMTP server, ensuring your emails reach their intended recipients.

Why and When You Need Outlook SMTP Server for Joomla Emails

Joomla sends emails for various important reasons, including new user registration, forgot password requests, automatic updates, and contact forms. These functions are crucial for maintaining site functionality and user communication, and any disruption in email delivery can significantly impact your Joomla site's performance and user experience.

The default method of sending emails in Joomla is through PHP Mail. However, PHP Mail often doesn't suffice for several reasons. Many hosting providers require additional configuration for it to function properly. Even when configured, PHP Mail can be unreliable, leading to emails not being delivered or being marked as spam.

SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is the most reliable and robust email sending method. Unlike PHP Mail, SMTP includes proper authentication, ensuring better email deliverability and security. It provides a more consistent and secure method for sending emails from your Joomla site.

The Outlook SMTP server, part of Microsoft 365, is a reliable solution to overcome these limitations. Outlook's SMTP server ensures prompt and secure email delivery, with emails less likely to be marked as spam. Configuring Outlook SMTP in Joomla is straightforward, making it an accessible and effective solution for all users, regardless of whether their email addresses are Outlook or Hotmail.

How to Send Joomla Emails Using Outlook SMTP Server

Step 1: Enable 2-Step Verification

2-step verification enhances your Outlook account security by requiring a second form of verification in addition to your password, preventing unauthorized access even if your password is compromised.

To enable 2-step verification, follow the steps listed below:

• Sign in to your account from the Microsoft Security Page
• Upon logging in, click on the "Two-step verification" button on the top right of the page

On the next page, click on the "Turn on" link found in the "Two-step verification" section

Verify your identity using Microsoft's, Google's, or a 3rd-party authenticator app or an alternative email address or phone number.

Once you've enabled 2-Step Verification on your account, you can create your app password to send emails using Outlook SMTP.

Step 2: Create an App Password

App passwords allow Joomla to access your Outlook account securely when 2-step verification is enabled. This provides a unique password for Joomla without compromising your main Outlook password.

To create an app, follow the steps listed below:

• Go to the Microsoft Security Page
• Click on the "Create a new app password" found under the "App passwords" section

Once you've received your app password, please store it somewhere. Then, you'll need to type it into your Joomla Mail Settings. However, don't worry, you can always create a new password if you lose your current.

Step 3: Setup Outlook SMTP Server

Next, log into your administrator panel and click System > Global Configuration > Server.

Then, locate the "Mail" section. Joomla uses "PHP Mail" to send emails by default, as seen from the "Mailer" setting value.

We can now start configuring the Mail Settings to use the Outlook SMTP to send emails.

• Set the From Email to the email address from which your Joomla will send emails. You should set it to the Outlook address (@hotmail.com or @live.com email address) you will use to authenticate the SMTP server later.
• Set the From Name to the name that will be used to send your emails.
• Select "SMTP" in the "Mailer" option to connect to the Outlook SMTP Server.
• Set the SMTP Host for Outlook to smtp-mail.outlook.com
• Set the SMTP Port to 587.
• Set the SMTP Security to STARTTLS.
• Enable SMTP Authentication and enter your Outlook email address and app password in SMTP Username and SMTP Password fields, respectively.

That's it! Save your settings after configuring your Mail settings.

Step 4: Test your mail settings

After configuring your mail settings, you should run a test to ensure your credentials are correctly set. To do so, press the "Send Test Mail" button to verify that your settings are valid. If your settings are correct, you should see a green notice, as seen below:

The test email should now be in your Outlook inbox.

Conclusion

And there you have it! Your Joomla 5 site can now send emails reliably using the Outlook SMTP server, part of the Microsoft 365 suite. This ensures that important emails, like contact form submissions or password reset requests, are delivered without issues using Outlook SMTP.

Are you looking to create forms and improve your email capabilities? Try using Convert Forms, our easy-to-use form builder. It integrates with Joomla’s email settings, letting you create professional forms, send automatic email notifications, and more!