If your WordPress contact form is not working, you’re probably missing messages, leads, and sales without realizing it.
A broken form doesn’t just create inconvenience. It quietly slows down your business and frustrates customers who try to reach you.
This guide explains why your WordPress contact form stops working, how to fix it step-by-step, and when it makes sense to hire a professional.
Why Your WordPress Contact Form Is Not Working
For a deeper breakdown of maintenance-related failures, see our Website Maintenance Cost for Small Business Guide:
https://theclaymedia.com/website-maintenance-cost-for-small-business-2025/
When a WordPress contact form stops working, the issue usually comes from email delivery, plugin conflicts, hosting limits, or outdated software. These problems appear small at first, but they break forms more often than people expect.
1. Email Deliverability Problems
Most contact form issues come from blocked emails. Hosting providers often limit outgoing messages, and email providers filter unverified messages as spam. As a result, your form appears to work, but your inbox receives nothing.
Common symptoms:
- Messages never reach your inbox
- Emails land in spam
- Customers say “I sent a message but never heard back”
2. SMTP Not Configured
A missing SMTP setup is the second biggest reason a WordPress contact form is not working. When SMTP is not connected to Google Workspace, Outlook, or Amazon SES, your form simply can’t send anything.
3. Plugin Conflicts
Two plugins fighting each other can break submissions. This often happens with Contact Form 7, Elementor Forms, WPForms, and Gravity Forms. Conflicts also occur after updates.
4. Outdated Themes or Plugins
Old versions cause compatibility issues. Outdated software often leads to broken contact forms, slow performance, or warnings on the page.
5. Hosting Restrictions
Low-cost hosting plans frequently block PHP mail. In many cases, this means your form cannot send emails at all.
How to Test a WordPress Contact Form
Before fixing anything, run this simple test:
- Submit your own form.
- Check your inbox and spam folder.
- Change the recipient email and test again.
- Check hosting logs if available.
If none of the messages arrive, your WordPress contact form is not working.
How to Fix WordPress Contact Form Not Working (DIY)
If you’re not sure who should manage updates and repairs long-term, read our guide:
https://theclaymedia.com/website-maintenance-guide/
1. Set Up SMTP (Fixes 80% of Cases)
Install one of these:
- WP Mail SMTP
- FluentSMTP
Then connect it to your email provider. Once SMTP is active, test your form again.
This is the fastest fix for most WordPress contact form issues.
2. Update WordPress, Plugins, and Theme
Updates fix bugs and restore compatibility. After updating everything, submit the form again to see if the issue is gone.
3. Disable Conflicting Plugins
Temporarily turn off:
- Caching plugins
- Security plugins
- Optimization plugins
Conflicts in these tools often cause the form to stop working. If the form works after disabling one, you found the source.
🔗 Who Should Maintain Your Website
https://theclaymedia.com/website-maintenance-guide/
4. Rebuild the Form If Needed
Contact Form 7 is especially known for breaking after updates. Rebuilding the form often fixes hidden errors instantly.
5. Check reCAPTCHA Settings
If your reCAPTCHA key expired, the form will fail silently. Update the key and test again.
When You Should Not DIY the Fix
You should hire help when:
- Your site generates leads every day
- You use Elementor, Divi, or WooCommerce
- Multiple plugins conflict
- Your hosting blocks outgoing mail
- Your contact form has been broken for weeks
A broken form costs more than a professional fix.
Cost to Fix a WordPress Contact Form
| Service Type | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| DIY Fix | $0–$20 | Simple websites |
| Freelancer | $40–$120 | Small businesses |
| Agency | $150–$350 | Lead-driven websites that can’t afford downtime |
An agency fix includes email deliverability testing, plugin conflict removal, SMTP setup, and long-term prevention.
🔗 Website Maintenance Cost for Small Business
https://theclaymedia.com/website-maintenance-cost-for-small-business-2025/
🔗 Monthly Website Update Cost Guide
https://theclaymedia.com/monthly-website-update-cost-2025/
FAQ: Fix WordPress Contact Form Not Working
Why is my WordPress contact form not working?
Email delivery, plugin conflicts, outdated software, or hosting restrictions are usually the cause.
Does a broken form hurt SEO?
Yes. Lost leads and failed customer contacts affect business signals.
How fast can a broken contact form be fixed?
Most issues are resolved within 30–90 minutes.
Get Your WordPress Contact Form Fixed (Free Audit)
Your free audit includes:
✔ Email sending test
✔ SMTP check
✔ Plugin conflict scan
✔ Security filter scan
✔ Fix recommendation
👉 https://theclaymedia.com/contact/
Contact The Clay Media
📞 949-444-2001
📧 Team@theclaymedia.com
📍 Orange County, CA
Trusted by 400+ businesses since 2014.
For official WordPress documentation on contact forms, visit:
https://wordpress.org/support/article/contact-form-troubleshooting/
