How CRM-NG SMTP takes over from WP Mail SMTP or CRM-NG Marketing's Email Delivery safely: test first, switch, and switch back if needed.

CRM-NG SMTP is built to replace an existing mail plugin without a single lost email. This article explains the standby state, the hand-over buttons and how to go back. It is for sites that already send with WP Mail SMTP, or with the Email Delivery part of CRM-NG Marketing.

Why CRM-NG SMTP starts in standby

Two plugins rewriting the same outgoing email cause trouble. So when CRM-NG SMTP is activated on a site where another mail plugin already has a real mailer set up, it does nothing to your email. It stays in standby and shows this notice on its screens:

Your existing setup keeps working while you prepare CRM-NG SMTP.

The safe switch, step by step

1. Set up CRM-NG SMTP

   Either copy the old settings with CRM-NG SMTP → Tools → Import (see Importing your settings from WP Mail SMTP) or enter them by hand on CRM-NG SMTP → Settings → General.

2. Send a test through CRM-NG SMTP

   Go to CRM-NG SMTP → Tools → Email Test and send one. In standby, the test uses CRM-NG SMTP's own settings only, so it really proves CRM-NG SMTP works. See Sending a test email.

3. Return to the notice

   Back on any CRM-NG SMTP screen, the notice now adds "Your test email was delivered through CRM-NG SMTP."

4. Press the button

   Click Make CRM-NG SMTP send my email. You see "CRM-NG SMTP is now sending your email."

5. Confirm

   The notice changes to "CRM-NG SMTP is sending your site's email." Send one more test, and trigger a real email (a password reset or a form) to be sure.

Rules the button follows

• No test, no button. Until a test succeeds, the notice says "To take over, first send a test email. The option appears here once a test succeeds." If you try to switch without a test you see "Send a test email through CRM-NG SMTP first. It has to succeed before CRM-NG SMTP can take over."
• The test lasts 24 hours. After that, send a new one.
• The test is tied to what you tested. If you change the mailer, the sender or the mailer's credentials after testing, the earlier test no longer counts. Test again.
• A failed test cancels an earlier success. Fix the problem and test again.
• A test with a DNS warning still counts. If the message was delivered to your mail service but the domain check found missing records, you can still switch. Fix the records soon anyway. See Adding DNS records.

Going back

Changed your mind, or spotted a problem? On any CRM-NG SMTP screen, click Go back to my previous mail plugin. You see "Your previous mail plugin is sending your email again." Nothing was deleted from the other plugin, so it picks up exactly where it left off. You can switch again later after a new test.

If the standalone WP Mail SMTP plugin is active

The button handles the CRM-NG Marketing Email Delivery part on its own. The standalone WP Mail SMTP plugin is different: CRM-NG SMTP cannot stop it from sending. While it is active, pressing the button shows:

So for the standalone plugin, the switch is simply:

1. Set up and test CRM-NG SMTP

   As in steps 1 and 2 above.

2. Deactivate WP Mail SMTP

   Go to Plugins → Installed Plugins and click Deactivate under WP Mail SMTP. Do not delete it yet.

3. Check

   Open CRM-NG SMTP. With no other mail plugin active, CRM-NG SMTP sends by itself, and the standby notice is gone.

To go back in this case, reactivate WP Mail SMTP. Delete it only once you are happy, and note that deleting it may remove its settings, depending on its own uninstall option.

If CRM-NG SMTP is already sending but the notice says "The other mail plugin is still active. Deactivate it on the Plugins page so only one plugin sends.", do exactly that. Two active mail plugins compete for each message.

Using CRM-NG Marketing

When CRM-NG SMTP takes over, CRM-NG Marketing follows it automatically: campaigns, the setup step and mail health all read CRM-NG SMTP's settings and log. See Using CRM-NG SMTP with the CRM-NG family.

Who can switch

Only users who can change CRM-NG SMTP's settings (normally administrators; network administrators when a multisite uses network-wide settings) see and can press the buttons.

Related

• Importing your settings from WP Mail SMTP
• Sending a test email
• Testing for plugin and theme conflicts
• Using CRM-NG SMTP with the CRM-NG family