Are you frustrated with “Moodle SMTP error could not authenticate”?

Though moodle comes with many standard features, it is never free of errors. An SMTP authentication error is a tricky moodle error.

This occurs mainly due to errors in SMTP fields in moodle configuration, incorrect moodle settings and so on.

At Bobcares, we often receive requests to fix moodle errors as part of our Server Management Services.

Today, let’s have a clear-cut discussion on this error and see how our Support Engineers fix it.

Why moodle SMTP error could not authenticate occur?

Before getting much into the error, let’s have a brief look at Moodle.

What is moodle? It is an online educational platform for students.

Usually, we use moodle to have an organized interface for e-learning.

It provides a custom learning environment for students and so is used widely in educational institutions. It comes with built-in mail functionality too.

The basic cause for moodle SMTP authentication is the incorrect SMTP settings in the moodle configuration. Also, some other errors like wrong port, incorrect SSL, etc. can also cause the error.

How to fix this SMTP authentication error?

So far we have discussed the error and its main causes. Now, let’s check how it could be resolved easily.

1. Error in SMTP fields

Usually, the messages sent from Moodle go through the SMTP server connection.

An SMTP connection will connect to an email server with login credentials, authenticating the sending email address.

And, this will allow the receiving mail server to accept the email as authenticated. But, minute mistakes while configuring moodle to use SMTP will cause authentication errors.

So, we double-check the SMTP fields to get rid of such errors from

Dashboard >> Site administration>> Server >> Email >> Outgoing mail configuration

Configuring SMTP settings in Moodle

1. Firstly, we log in to the Moodle dashboard.
2. Then, navigate to Site administration >> Plugins >> Message outputs >> Email in the settings section.
3. Nextly, we configure the SMTP settings. These configuration depends on the preferred mail server like Gmail, Yahoo, etc.
4. We configure the fields like SMTP hosts, SMTP security, SMTP username, SMTP password for the mail to work.
5. Finally, we click on Save changes after filling the fields with correct information.

Setting this correctly as per the above steps will resolve the error and moodle will work fine then on.

2. Other incorrect settings

Recently, one of our customers approached us with a moodle SMTP error. He was using the Gmail server and getting authentication errors while sending emails.

Our Support Engineers checked the error in detail. This error occurred due to missing SSL connection.

The SMTP security settings will vary on the email server’s SMTP requirements. And as he was using Gmail, SSL was mandatory for the connection.

Therefore, setting up SSL resolved the error efficiently.

Similarly, we need to double-check the port number attached to the Server hostname to avoid errors.

Also, we recommend flushing the Moodle cache. For that, log in to the Moodle site as admin, navigate to Site Administrator > Development > Purge all Caches

[Need more help to fix Moodle error?- We’re available 24/7 to help you.]

Conclusion

In short, Moodle SMTP error could not authenticate occurs mainly due to errors in Moodle SMTP server configuration, incorrect Moodle settings and so on. In today’s article, we saw the main causes of this error and its most appropriate fix by our Support Engineers.