WooCommerce Order Emails Not Sending After Update: Fix (2026)
Quick answer
WooCommerce order emails stopping after an update is usually one of: (1) SMTP plugin API key rotated or expired — reconnect, (2) email template override in your theme (/woocommerce/emails/) is now incompatible with the new WooCommerce version — delete the override, (3) a hook conflict with an updated plugin — check WP Mail SMTP or FluentSMTP logs for failed sends, (4) WooCommerce email settings got reset — re-enable each email type at WooCommerce → Settings → Emails.
Diagnose in one place — the SMTP log
If you're using WP Mail SMTP or FluentSMTP (you should be — WooCommerce without SMTP has ~60% email failure rate), open the plugin's Email Log. Trigger a test order. Watch the log — does the email attempt to send?
If yes and it succeeds: emails are being sent but landing in spam or being rejected downstream (SPF/DKIM/DMARC issue).
If yes and it fails: the log shows the error (bad API key, rate limit, sender not verified).
If no attempt appears at all: WooCommerce isn't calling wp_mail() — a hook conflict or template override is blocking the trigger.
Fix #1 — Reconnect SMTP provider
After a WordPress or plugin update, some SMTP integrations lose their API key or refresh token. Open WP Mail SMTP → Settings → your provider. Re-enter the API key or reconnect the OAuth link.
Send a test email from WP Mail SMTP → Tools → Test Email. If it lands, order emails should resume immediately.
Fix #2 — Delete stale template overrides
If your theme overrides WooCommerce email templates (/wp-content/themes/<yourtheme>/woocommerce/emails/), any override that's out of date with the new WooCommerce version can cause emails to fail silently or render broken.
Check WooCommerce → Status → Templates. Any override showing "outdated" needs updating — either delete the override (WooCommerce uses the new default) or edit it to match the current plugin version.
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Fix #3 — Re-enable email types
WooCommerce → Settings → Emails. Every email type (New Order, Cancelled, Failed, Processing, Completed, Refunded, Customer Note, Reset Password, New Account) has an Enable toggle.
After some plugin updates, these toggles get reset. Click into each and confirm "Enable this email notification" is checked, then Save.
Fix #4 — Check for hook conflicts
Some plugins hook into WooCommerce's email triggers. If one of them was updated with a bug, it can suppress the trigger. Deactivate WooCommerce-related plugins one at a time (bookings, subscriptions, order management add-ons), placing a test order between each.
When to call for help
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Common questions
Why did my WooCommerce order emails stop after an update?+
The four common causes: (1) SMTP provider API key rotated or expired — reconnect in WP Mail SMTP, (2) email template overrides in your theme are now incompatible with the new WooCommerce version — check WooCommerce → Status → Templates, (3) email type toggles reset in WooCommerce → Settings → Emails, (4) a hook conflict from another plugin.
How do I test if WooCommerce is sending order emails?+
Place a test order (use a coupon for 100% off if needed). Check the WP Mail SMTP or FluentSMTP Email Log to see whether the email was attempted and whether it succeeded. Also check WooCommerce → Status → Logs for any email-related errors.
Should I override WooCommerce email templates in my theme?+
Only if you must — and only if you commit to maintaining them across WooCommerce updates. Every time WooCommerce updates its email templates, your override is stale and can render broken. The safer approach is to use email hooks and filters instead of full template overrides.
Do I need SMTP for WooCommerce order emails?+
Yes, absolutely. WooCommerce uses wp_mail() which routes through PHP's mail() function by default — up to 60% of those emails end up in spam or never arrive. Install WP Mail SMTP and route through Postmark, Amazon SES, or SendGrid for reliable delivery.
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