Issue summary:
The client’s WordPress site stopped sending contact form submissions built with Elementor Forms. Despite forms submitting successfully on the front end, no email notifications were being delivered. Upon investigation, the Freshy team identified that the site was using the Easy WP SMTP plugin configured with Microsoft’s Office365 SMTP host (smtp.office365.com). Microsoft’s recent deprecation of basic authentication for SMTP connections caused the plugin to fail, breaking all outgoing email functions.
Issue background
The client reported that form submissions appeared to go through normally, but no notifications reached their inbox or spam folder. This issue began after June 18, aligning with Microsoft’s enforcement of the Basic Authentication end-of-life for Microsoft 365 services.
The Easy WP SMTP plugin was still configured with outdated authentication credentials that relied on username and password-based access instead of the new OAuth 2.0 protocol now required by Microsoft.
Diagnosis
The development team reviewed the following systems to confirm the source of the issue:
- WordPress SMTP settings
The SMTP host was set tosmtp.office365.com. Easy WP SMTP displayed a warning banner indicating Microsoft’s discontinuation of basic authentication. The plugin log contained failed connection attempts with errors referencing invalid authentication responses. - Elementor Forms
Form submissions were recorded correctly in Elementor’s internal logs, but no mail delivery attempts were completing successfully. - PHP and server logs
Pressable logs showed repeated SMTP connection timeouts. Errors confirmed that the issue was not related to Elementor or server restrictions but directly to authentication failure in Easy WP SMTP. - External references
Easy WP SMTP’s own documentation linked to Microsoft’s notice:
“Microsoft 365 has ended support for Basic Authentication for SMTP. To continue using Outlook or Hotmail, switch to the Outlook mailer for uninterrupted email sending.”
Resolution steps
- Verified plugin configuration
Logged into Easy WP SMTP’s settings and confirmed the SMTP host, port, and encryption values. Verified that the email address matched the Microsoft 365 sender account. - Updated authentication method
Recommended upgrading to the Outlook mailer integration within Easy WP SMTP to support OAuth 2.0 authentication. Guided the client through the setup process, including Microsoft’s API registration and client credential configuration. - Tested email delivery
Sent multiple test messages via the plugin’s test email function. Verified successful delivery and receipt in the client’s inbox. Confirmed that Elementor Forms were now sending notifications as expected. - Reviewed plugin environment
Ensured no conflicting mailer plugins were active. Confirmed that WordPress cron and PHP mail functions were operational. Checked DNS records (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) to ensure compatibility with Microsoft 365’s email policies.
Final outcome
After reconfiguring Easy WP SMTP to use the Outlook mailer (OAuth 2.0), the site successfully restored full email deliverability for all form submissions.
Results:
- Elementor Form submissions now send notifications reliably.
- No further SMTP connection errors are present in plugin or PHP logs.
- Site remains compliant with Microsoft’s new authentication requirements.
- Future deliverability is secured through OAuth-based token authentication rather than deprecated username-password methods.
Key takeaways
- Microsoft’s deprecation of Basic Authentication has broken many older SMTP configurations that rely on standard login credentials.
- Easy WP SMTP and similar plugins now require OAuth 2.0 connections for Microsoft 365 email accounts.
- Always review SMTP plugin alerts after major provider policy updates.
- Regularly test contact form deliverability to catch mail flow disruptions early.
If your WordPress forms have stopped sending email after Microsoft 365 authentication changes, contact the Freshy team for expert troubleshooting and email configuration support.
