WooCommerce Order Processing Email Notification Not Received? Here’s How to Fix It
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- What Is an Order Processing Email in WooCommerce?
- What Happens When These Emails Are Not Sent?
- Common Reasons Why WooCommerce Order Processing Email Notifications Are Not Sent
- How to Fix WooCommerce Order Processing Email is Not Working
- Monitor Emails with Logging Plugins
- Get Help from WooCommerce Experts
- Conclusion
Introduction
Running an online store is all about efficiency and trust. Your customers expect quick updates after placing an order. One of the most important updates is the WooCommerce order processing email. This email tells the customer, “We got your order and we’re working on it.”
But what if this email doesn’t show up?
This problem affects a lot of WooCommerce store owners. The WooCommerce order processing email not received problem can hurt both you and your customers. It may lead to confusion, lost trust, and more support requests. If customers think their order wasn’t placed, they might cancel it or contact you in frustration.
This tutorial will help you solve this typical problem. You’ll discover the causes, solutions, and ways to keep it from happening again.
What Is an Order Processing Email in WooCommerce?
WooCommerce emails customers when they place an order. These emails help keep both the store owner and the customer informed. One of these emails is called the “order processing” email.
This email is sent when:
- Payment is made and the order is placed.
- The store is preparing the order for shipping.
It’s different from the “order completed” email, which is sent after the item has shipped. It’s also not the “order on-hold” email, which is used for unpaid or delayed orders.
If the order processing email is missing in WooCommerce, it can create a gap in communication. Customers may not know what’s happening with their order.
Why this email is important is as follows:
- Notifies clients that their order is being handled.
- Reduces support tickets and emails from confused buyers.
- Builds trust and keeps the shopping experience smooth.
What Happens When These Emails Are Not Sent?
If your store is facing issues like:
- WooCommerce not sending order processing email
- WooCommerce order processing notification not sent
- WooCommerce order email not working
then something needs fixing.
This issue may not be obvious right away. You might only find out when a customer complains. Or when you check the order notes and see that the email wasn’t sent.
You’re not by yourself. These email problems are common among WooCommerce store owners. It’s crucial to comprehend the potential causes and take prompt action because of this.
Common Reasons Why WooCommerce Order Processing Email Notifications Are Not Sent
If your WooCommerce order processing email is not received, don’t panic. There are several typical causes for this problem. In most cases, it’s caused by misconfiguration, conflicts, or server limitations.
Let’s examine the primary reasons and their implications for your store.
- Incorrect Email Settings in WooCommerce
The first place to check is the email settings in WooCommerce. These settings control whether emails are sent at all.
If the WooCommerce order processing email notification is disabled, it won’t go out.
Here’s how to check it:
- Go to WooCommerce > Settings > Emails
- Find Processing order in the email list
- Click Manage
- Verify that the option to “Enable this email notification” is selected.
- If necessary, check the recipient’s email again.
This quick review often solves the problem right away.
- Conflicts with Themes or Plugins
Another common reason is a conflict with a plugin or theme. Some plugins may stop emails from being triggered. Even themes can interfere with how WooCommerce works.
This can result in the WooCommerce order processing notification not sent.
To test this:
- Turn off recent plugins for the time being.
- Use a simpler theme, such as Storefront.
- To check if the email is sent, place a test order.
You’ve identified the conflict if the problem disappears. It could be necessary to update or replace the theme or plugin.
- Hosting Server Email Issues
Your server must support sending emails. WooCommerce uses the PHP mail() function by default.
Some hosts block or limit this function. This leads to the WooCommerce order processing email not working.
How to check this:
- Install a plugin like WP Mail Logging
- Send a test order and check if an email is triggered
- Contact your hosting support and ask if PHP mail is enabled
If the mail function is disabled, you’ll need to switch to SMTP.
- Emails Are Sent but Not Delivered
Sometimes, the email is sent but never reaches the customer. This can be due to:
- Email filters sending it to spam
- Incorrect customer email address
- Missing SPF or DKIM records for your domain
This causes the WooCommerce order email not working issue, even though it was sent.
To fix this:
- Ask customers to check spam folders
- Make use of a WP Mail SMTP plugin.
- Add SPF and DKIM records through your DNS settings
This will improve email delivery and reduce missing emails.
- WooCommerce Staging Site Restrictions
If you’re testing emails on a staging site, they might not send. Many hosting providers block emails on staging to prevent spam.
This can make it seem like the order processing email is missing in WooCommerce.
Always test emails on the live site. Use logging plugins to track whether they send correctly.
How to Fix WooCommerce Order Processing Email is Not Working
If your WooCommerce order processing email is not working, don’t worry. This problem can be resolved by following a few easy actions. This part covers what to do, which tools to use, and how to test each fix.
To achieve the greatest results, make sure you follow every step.
Step 1: Check WooCommerce Email Settings
Making ensuring the email is enabled is the first thing you should do.
Navigate to your WordPress dashboard and take the following actions:
- Click on WooCommerce > Settings > Emails
- Look for Processing Order
- Press the “Manage” button.
- Verify that the option to “Enable this email notification” is selected.
- Save changes
Also, verify the sender and recipient emails. A small typo can break email delivery.
Fixing this setting often resolves the WooCommerce order processing notification not sent problem.
Step 2: Use an Email Logging Plugin
You need to check if WooCommerce is trying to send the email. Using a logging plugin is the simplest method.
Install WP Mail Logging from the plugin directory. Then:
- Activate the plugin
- Place a test order on your store
- Check the email log under Tools > WP Mail Log
If the order processing email appears in the log, WooCommerce is sending it.
If it’s not logged, something is blocking it. That’s where the next steps come in.
Step 3: Set Up SMTP for Reliable Email Sending
The default PHP mail method is not always reliable. It is blocked by several servers. A preferable choice is SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol).
Use a plugin like WP Mail SMTP. It helps you send emails through trusted providers like:
- Gmail
- SendGrid
- Mailgun
- SMTP.com
Steps to set it up:
- Set up and enable WP Mail SMTP.
- Select your email service provider.
- Enter SMTP settings (host, port, username, password)
- Send a test email from the plugin dashboard
This fix often solves the WooCommerce not sending order processing email issue completely.
Step 4: Disable Problematic Plugins or Themes
Sometimes, a plugin or theme blocks the email function. This is common with security or email marketing plugins.
Here’s how to check:
- Deactivate all plugins except WooCommerce
- Change to Twenty Twenty-One as the default theme.
- Place another test order
- Check if the email sends now
If it works, reactivate plugins one by one to find the issue.
Once found, contact the plugin developer or look for an alternative.
Step 5: Check Hosting Configuration
Some hosting companies block outbound emails. Ask your host if they support the PHP mail function. If not, they may require SMTP instead.
Also, ask them if your site is on a shared IP. This can affect deliverability.
You can also check server error logs for email-related issues.
Working with your host can help resolve the WooCommerce order email not working problem at the server level.
Step 6: Verify Email Deliverability
Even if the email is sent, it may not reach inboxes.
Verify that your domain has been validated correctly. Include DMARC, DKIM, and SPF records in your DNS. These records help email services trust your messages.
To verify deliverability, use programs like MXToolbox or Mail Tester.
This step helps reduce spam flagging and failed delivery errors.
It’s especially helpful if the WooCommerce order processing email notification failed but shows as sent in logs.
Use a Trusted SMTP Email Service
Relying on PHP mail can be risky. It’s often blocked or flagged as spam. Instead, use a professional SMTP provider for sending emails.
Some popular options include:
- SendGrid
- Mailgun
- SMTP.com
- Brevo (formerly Sendinblue)
These services improve email delivery and lower spam risks. They also provide logs and analytics so you can track issues easily.
This solution prevents future cases of WooCommerce not sending order processing email or messages being flagged as suspicious.
Monitor Emails with Logging Plugins
Email logs are like a safety net for your store. If something breaks, logs help you find the cause quickly.
Use a plugin like:
- WP Mail Logging
- Email Log
These tools record every outgoing email. You can search by type, recipient, or status. This way, if a customer says they didn’t get an email, you can check the log.
This step also helps diagnose if the WooCommerce order email is not working again in the future.
Keep Plugins, Themes, and WooCommerce Updated
Outdated plugins often cause conflicts. Always update your:
- WooCommerce plugin
- Active theme
- Installed extensions
The good news is that the issue is completely resolvable with the correct procedures and equipment.
Routine updates reduce bugs that might break the WooCommerce order processing email notification.
Test Emails Regularly
Even after fixing the issue, test your emails often. You can:
- Place a fake order monthly
- Check if the order processing email arrives
- Use different email accounts (Gmail, Outlook, etc.)
This helps you spot problems before real customers are affected.
Testing ensures you don’t face a surprise WooCommerce order processing email not working complaint.
Get Help from WooCommerce Experts
If you’ve tried everything and still have issues, it’s okay to get help. Some email problems are complex. They may involve server settings, DNS records, or coding errors.
At WooHelpDesk, we help WooCommerce store owners solve tricky email issues. Whether your WooCommerce order processing email notification failed, or your logs show nothing, our team can assist.
You can contact us for:
- One-time email troubleshooting
- Ongoing WooCommerce support
- Email system audits and setup
A small fix today can save hours of customer support later.
Conclusion
Email delivery is a vital part of running an online store. When the WooCommerce order processing email is missing, it can confuse your customers and damage trust.
But the good news is, with the right steps and tools, the problem is fully fixable. From proper configuration to using SMTP and logging tools, store owners have plenty of solutions available.
Feeling overwhelmed or too busy to sort out the email issue yourself?
Let our WooCommerce experts at WooHelpDesk handle it for you. Our areas of expertise include SMTP configuration, email troubleshooting, and making sure your store functions properly.
📞 Call us now at +1 888 602 0119 (US & Canada) for fast, friendly support.
Whether you need a one-time fix or long-term WooCommerce care, we’re here to help. Get peace of mind knowing your store’s emails are working perfectly—so your customers stay happy and informed.
