Why Sendmail is not working on Plesk server? Let’s discuss various causes and available fixes for this issue in this latest blog. As part of our Plesk Hosting Support, we assist our customers with several Plesk queries.
Overview
Why Sendmail is not Working on Plesk?
Plesk: Plesk is a well-liked web hosting control panel that makes server administration easier for administrators and website owners. It offers a simple web-based interface for managing DNS settings, email accounts, databases, websites, and security measures. Plesk is compatible with a number of third-party programs, such as WordPress, Joomla, and Docker, and it supports both Linux and Windows.
Plesk is widely used by hosting providers for its user-friendly experience and powerful features.
Sendmail: Emails can be sent between computers via the internet thanks to Sendmail, a popular mail transfer agent (MTA). Often present in Unix and Linux systems, it is among the most dependable and ancient MTAs. Sendmail delivers, routes, and forwards email messages to the correct recipients.
Sendmail is powerful and flexible, but configuring it can be tricky. It is still a reliable option for managing a lot of emails, though.
When we encounter the “Plesk Sendmail Not Working” error, we are dealing with a scenario in which the sendmail capability on a Plesk-managed server is not working as planned.
Error Causes & Fixes
1. Incorrect Settings: Sendmail may not be setup correctly within Plesk.
Fix: We must make sure that the mail server settings are properly setup in the Plesk control panel.
2. Port Issues: Firewall rules or network configurations may block the ports.
Fix: Check if Sendmail is listening on the correct ports (usually port 25 for SMTP).
3. Service Down: The Sendmail service may be down.
Fix: On the server, we can verify and restart the service by running commands like service sendmail status, service sendmail restart, or systemctl status sendmail.
4. Incorrect permissions: This can prevent Sendmail from functioning properly.
Fix: Check that the Sendmail config files and directories have the right permissions and ownership.
5. Log Files & Plesk’s Logs: Logs and error messages are crucial for diagnosing why sendmail may not be working on Plesk. Check the Sendmail log files for any error messages or signals. Log files are often located in /var/log/maillog or /var/log/mail.log. Also, check the Plesk logs for any email-related issues.
6. Incorrect DNS Configuration: Issues in DNS config or MX Records can also cause the error.
Fix: Verify that the domain’s DNS records, particularly MX (Mail Exchange) records, are properly configured to point to the server.
7. Incorrect SMTP Relay: An incorrect SMTP relay configuration can cause sendmail issues on Plesk by disrupting the email delivery process.
Fix: If the server is set up to use an external SMTP relay, make sure that the relay settings are right and that the relay server is operational.
8. Firewall and Security Settings: Enforcing policies that prevent Sendmail from operating correctly.
Fix: Ensure that the server’s firewall rules do not block Sendmail’s essential ports. If we’re running SELinux, it may be enforcing regulations that prevent Sendmail from functioning properly. We may need to change SELinux settings or policies.
Troubleshooting Tips
1. Log in to Plesk, go to Mail server settings, and confirm Sendmail is selected and properly configured.
2. Restart Sendmail using service sendmail restart or systemctl restart sendmail.
3. Review Sendmail and Plesk logs for errors or warnings and address any issues found.
4. Send a test email to verify if the issue persists.
5. Ensure MX records are correctly set and pointing to the server.
6. Ensure the firewall allows outbound connections on TCP port 25. Adjust settings in Plesk or contact the provider if needed.
7. Confirm the server hostname resolves to the Plesk server’s IP address. Verify and update if necessary.
8. For contact forms or scripts, go to Plesk > Tools & Settings > Outgoing Mail Control and adjust the sendmail usage policy.
9. Keep the system and Plesk updated.
10. Monitor server performance.
11. Use proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC).
12. Review email content to avoid spam filters.
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Conclusion
There are several reasons why “Sendmail not working on Plesk” could occur, such as misconfigured firewall settings, DNS errors, and service outages. It’s critical to examine the Sendmail and Plesk log files for any error messages, verify correct port specifications, and examine the Plesk settings in order to fix the issue. It can also be required to restart the service, check permissions, and modify firewall rules. Maintaining efficient email operations also requires monitoring server performance and making sure MX records are accurately configured. Sustaining system operation and security requires regular updates to the email authentication mechanisms.
By following these steps from our Experts and carefully evaluating the error messages, we should be able to discover and resolve the problem preventing Plesk Sendmail from functioning properly.
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