Thread

I am running into a email issue.  I am confident it probably a server / hosting issue but need help narrowing it down.  Of course, the hosting company says it is a code issue.  I have the same files and database running on different environments.  I don’t run into any issues expect the live server.

I am using freeform and brilliantretail.  Each is setup to send notifications.  Neither are working.  I also tried sending via the Admin communicate tab, but was shown this error.

Unable to send email at this time.

Unable to send email using PHP mail(). Your server might not be configured to send mail using this method.

I tired using the email form in the utilities folder.  I was able to successfully send emails with this test form.

I am stuck.  Any ideas?

EE Version v2.1.3
Build - 20110411

I am going to upgrade to the new EE version soon but would like to resolve this issue and launch this new site.  We are close to the deadline.  After launched, I am going to upgrade.

Hi mz91184,

When I’ve seen this error before within EE while the email form in the utilities folder works as expected, the problem is usually because the host has disabled the popen function for PHP on the server, something required by EE to be able to send email. This thread might give you some insight.

Could you ask your host if they’ve disabled popen?

Kevin,

Thanks, this is what I was looking for.  I will email them with the request.

The host emailed me back.  “We do have popen disabled for security.”

Should I try SMTP or another option for sending email?

If they have popen disabled, you may have no other choice than to try SMTP.  They’re not willing to enable it for your account?

You could certainly find out from them if SMTP is an option.  Or possibly sendmail.

Lisa,

I asked and they haven’t budged at enabling popen.  They suggested using SMTP too.  I tired SMTP but ran into another error.

Any ideas?

An Error Was Encountered
Unable to send email at this time.

The following SMTP error was encountered: 0 php_network_getaddresses: getaddrinfo failed: Name or service not known

Unable to send data: AUTH LOGIN

Failed to send AUTH LOGIN command. Error: 

Unable to send data: MAIL FROM:


from: 

The following SMTP error was encountered: 

Unable to send data: RCPT TO:

to: 

The following SMTP error was encountered: 

Unable to send data: DATA

data: 

The following SMTP error was encountered: 

Unable to send data: User-Agent: ExpressionEngine 2.1.3 Date: Tue, 19 Jul 2011 03:49:14 +0200 From: "Michael Zens" Return-Path: To: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) Subject: =?utf-8?Q?Test?= Reply-To: "[email protected]" X-Sender: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) X-Mailer: ExpressionEngine 2.1.3 X-Priority: 3 (Normal) Message-ID: <[email protected]> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Test 

Unable to send data: .



The following SMTP error was encountered: 

Unable to send email using PHP SMTP. Your server might not be configured to send mail using this method

Couple of things to check here: first, check with the host to make sure that the server is set up to send email using PHP SMTP. Also check to make sure the SMTP settings you’re using in ExpressionEngine are correct.

Also, I always recommend running the email test located in the ./system/expressionengine/utilities/ folder. It’s pure PHP, completely separate from EE. If that doesn’t work, it means it’s something outside EE causing the problem.

Sorry for the slow follow up, I have been busy with another project.

I tested the email_tests.php from the utilities folder and was able to successfully send emails. 

I emailed the server company confirming I have the correct SMTP settings.

Any other ideas in the meantime?

Hosting support suggested try SendMail and it finally worked.  Freeform and BrilliantRetail notifications work.  I am running now into an error with comment notifications on a channel though.

Please note, I notifications should be sent to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) but I don’t see it in the error message.  It looks like it is trying to send notifications to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) though.  A screen of the channel preferences (http://cl.ly/1o2t3K111d0M0p2d1G0q).  Any ideas?

The original message was received at Tue, 26 Jul 2011 09:12:04 +0200
from localhost [127.0.0.1]

  ----- The following addresses had permanent fatal errors -----
<[email protected]>
   (reason: 550 Unrouteable address)

  ----- Transcript of session follows -----
... while talking to mail.sixponyhitch.com.:
DATA
<<< 550 Unrouteable address
550 5.1.1 <[email protected]>... User unknown
<<< 503-All RCPT commands were rejected with this error:
<<< 503-Unrouteable address
<<< 503 Valid RCPT command must precede DATA
Reporting-MTA: dns; server69.secure-access.net
Received-From-MTA: DNS; localhost
Arrival-Date: Tue, 26 Jul 2011 09:12:04 +0200

Final-Recipient: RFC822; .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Action: failed
Status: 5.1.1
Remote-MTA: DNS; mail.sixponyhitch.com
Diagnostic-Code: SMTP; 550 Unrouteable address
Last-Attempt-Date: Tue, 26 Jul 2011 09:12:05 +0200

From: <[email protected]>
Date: July 26, 2011 1:12:03 AM MDT
To: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Subject: You have just received a comment
Reply-To: "[email protected]" <[email protected]>


You have just received a comment for the following channel:
Blog Post

The title of the entry is:
Pre-IPNC dinner at Portland's Little Bird Bistro on Thursday, July 28th

Located at: 
<a href="http://www.bethelheights.com/blog">http://www.bethelheights.com/blog</a>

Posted by: Mike Zens
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
URL: 
Location: 

Test

Hi, Mike.

Make sure the value for Return email address for auto-generated emails is correct. I suspect that may be where the error is coming from. Can you double check?

Sue,

I checked and the return email address is correctly set to (.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)).  Any other thoughts?  Thanks for the help.

Did that address get used anywhere in the site previously? I don’t know where it is coming from either.

Sue,

The last error was my own misconfiguration.  I was working on this too late and didn’t notice I selected the wrong radio button.  I was sending notifications to the author which wasn’t a registered email. 

Thanks for all the help on this issue.

mz91184 -

Can you clarify at this point, is this working? Are you happy with using sendmail?

I want to make sure that we get you to a resolution you’re happy with.

Thank you!

Lisa,

Yes, all email notifications are working.  I am using SendMail and am fine using it.  I guess, is there any reason not to use SendMail?