Fix: PHP mail() not working error

The ‘PHP mail() not working’ error occurs when the PHP mail() function fails to send emails due to misconfigured mail settings, missing mail server, or security restrictions.

How the Error Happens

❌ Error Scenario:

// ❌ This may fail silently
$result = mail('user@example.com', 'Subject', 'Message');
// Returns false or appears to work but no email received

✅ Quick Fix - Configure Email Delivery

Solution 1: Configure php.ini

; ✅ Update php.ini for mail settings
[mail function]
SMTP = smtp.gmail.com
smtp_port = 587
sendmail_from = your-email@gmail.com
sendmail_path = "/usr/sbin/sendmail -t -i"

Solution 2: Use PHPMailer (Recommended)

// ✅ Install PHPMailer via Composer
// composer require phpmailer/phpmailer

use PHPMailer\PHPMailer\PHPMailer;
use PHPMailer\PHPMailer\SMTP;

$mail = new PHPMailer(true);
$mail->isSMTP();
$mail->Host = 'smtp.gmail.com';
$mail->SMTPAuth = true;
$mail->Username = 'your-email@gmail.com';
$mail->Password = 'your-app-password';
$mail->SMTPSecure = PHPMailer::ENCRYPTION_STARTTLS;
$mail->Port = 587;

$mail->setFrom('your-email@gmail.com', 'Your Name');
$mail->addAddress('recipient@example.com');
$mail->Subject = 'Test Subject';
$mail->Body = 'Test Message';

$mail->send();

Solution 3: Check Mail Logs

// ✅ Enable error reporting for mail
if (!mail($to, $subject, $message, $headers)) {
    error_log('Mail function failed');
    echo 'Mail failed to send';
} else {
    echo 'Mail sent successfully';
}