How to Debug Email Sending Issues with PHP Mail() and PHPMailer?

Debugging PHP Mail() and PHPMailer

When encountering issues sending emails using PHP's mail() function or PHPMailer, it's crucial to gather as much information as possible to debug the problem effectively.

Beginning with the issue at hand, the error message "Could not instantiate mail function" suggests a problem with the class.phpmailer.php file. It's recommended to download the latest version of the file and retry.

PHP Mail() Debugging

ini_set("display_errors", 1) enables PHP error messages, providing additional details about what went wrong. Additionally, inspecting the email headers in the email client can reveal further information.

PHPMailer Debugging

PHPMailer offers an SMTP debug feature that provides detailed information about the sending process. By setting $mail->SMTPDebug = 2, both errors and messages will be logged. These messages can be instrumental in identifying the root cause of the issue.

Additional Troubleshooting Tips

• Ensure that the hosting provider allows outgoing emails from the server.
• Check the PHP version and ensure it supports the mail() function or PHPMailer library.
• Review the email settings, such as the sender's email address, to make sure they are configured correctly.
• Consider using SMTP instead of the default mail() function for improved reliability and additional debugging options.

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