Title: Error message “Could not instantiate mail function”
Last modified: May 16, 2021

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# Error message “Could not instantiate mail function”

 *  Resolved [KC](https://wordpress.org/support/users/benxy20gylinxu/)
 * (@benxy20gylinxu)
 * [5 years ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/error-message-could-not-instantiate-mail-function/)
 * Hi there,
 * As you can see as the screenshot link, I got an error message and says “Could
   not instantiate mail function”, I tried to contacted my server help desk staff,
   but they in return asked to see ” a screenshot of the settings for email delivery
   on your(it means mine) website” and I did not know how to reply them. Please 
   also refer to the screen shot of the error message as below screen image link:
 * Screenshot link:
    [https://farm66.staticflickr.com/65535/51181978056_8482122922_o.jpg](https://farm66.staticflickr.com/65535/51181978056_8482122922_o.jpg)
 * BTW, I also read [a previous forum thread](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/no-emails-sent-14/)
   with similar issue of Vikbooking plugin, but I am not quiet following the discussion
   yet(still trying to), I also tried to download the plugin “Vik Mail SMTP – Wizard
   and Logs” in the mentioned forum thread, but I am still trying to figure out 
   how the SMTP plugin works. Just so you know.
 * Please guide me to the solution as in the thread title. Thanks.

Viewing 6 replies - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)

 *  Thread Starter [KC](https://wordpress.org/support/users/benxy20gylinxu/)
 * (@benxy20gylinxu)
 * [5 years ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/error-message-could-not-instantiate-mail-function/#post-14443643)
 * FYI, I am also checking on the following document provided by your website(1),
   but it is a bit overly complicated to me so far, I am still trying.
 * For example, the document says “By choosing the Class File ’email_reminder.php'”,
   but the document did not specify where the php file is located, that is to say,
   I need to configure the php file by myself, and perhaps I don’t need to, like
   I said, the document is a bit complicated to me.
 * (1).
    Automated Reminders via Email [https://vikwp.com/support/knowledge-base/vik-booking/cron-jobs/automated-reminders-via-email](https://vikwp.com/support/knowledge-base/vik-booking/cron-jobs/automated-reminders-via-email)
    -  This reply was modified 5 years ago by [KC](https://wordpress.org/support/users/benxy20gylinxu/).
 *  Plugin Author [e4jvikwp](https://wordpress.org/support/users/e4jvikwp/)
 * (@e4jvikwp)
 * [5 years ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/error-message-could-not-instantiate-mail-function/#post-14447120)
 * Hello,
    The error message “Could not instantiate mail function” is raised by 
   the WordPress framework itself, more precisely, by the PHPMailer class whenever
   our plugin tries to send an email message. All the email messages dispatched 
   by our plugin are handled by WordPress, as plugins should not use their own email
   sending functions. The email messages can usually be sent by using two different
   transport methods: PHP Mail or an SMTP server. By default, WordPress uses the
   PHP Mail method, unless you install a specific plugin that allows to override
   the “mail transport agent”. Our free plugin Vik Mail SMTP is one of those plugins,
   and you should set it up in the same exact way you would configure a mail client
   on your computer or smartphone for what concerns the SMTP account details.
 * We invite you to reach out to our technical support through our website, as these
   issues are not directly related to VikBooking, because all the email sending 
   functions are handled by WordPress.
    Thank you.
 *  Thread Starter [KC](https://wordpress.org/support/users/benxy20gylinxu/)
 * (@benxy20gylinxu)
 * [5 years ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/error-message-could-not-instantiate-mail-function/#post-14451149)
 * Hi there,
 * Through the aids of my web hosting help desk staff, I kind of solve the issue
   now after installing a plugin WP Mail SMTP, just so you know.
 * Regards,
 * KC
 *  Thread Starter [KC](https://wordpress.org/support/users/benxy20gylinxu/)
 * (@benxy20gylinxu)
 * [5 years ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/error-message-could-not-instantiate-mail-function/#post-14455746)
 * Hi there,
 * Sorry, I just set this thread Unsolved again.
 * Although I had solved the issue by using a Plugin “WP Mail SMTP” along with the
   authentication of Gmail API, but there seems to be a potential limit of mails
   can be sent because of Gmail limit, so I am still trying to find a better solution
   to avoid the future sent-email amount limit.
 * Further more, since I am using my own work Gmail for the time being and temporarily
   get the email notification issue fixed, but the next step is that I need to let
   my client log in the website and see everything I did for her so she can evaluate
   about Vikbooking system. For that, I need to change the main email address, so,
   as far as I know, this main email address that Vikbooking used is the WordPress“
   Administration Email Address”, am I right? My web host help desk staff suggested
   me to create a Cpanel hosted email and use that email could save me from the 
   complicated process of Gmail authentication demanded by the plugin “WP Mail SMTP”,
   so my guess now is that I need to create an Cpanel hosted email and fill it into
   WordPress “Administration Email Address” so that I can test if Vikbooking email
   notification’s function, pleas let me know if I miss something. Thanks.
 * Regards,
 * KC
 *  Thread Starter [KC](https://wordpress.org/support/users/benxy20gylinxu/)
 * (@benxy20gylinxu)
 * [5 years ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/error-message-could-not-instantiate-mail-function/#post-14455778)
 * Hi there,
 * This reply is to update you the new development. I think I just found the option(
   1) where to set Vikbooking Admin email after my last post, so, I am considering
   to change Vikbooking Admin email/sender’s email by create a Cpanel hosted email
   to test the email notification function, or I might just change into another 
   Gmail created for for client of this project.
 * (1)
    [https://farm66.staticflickr.com/65535/51188654343_1281e23f0e_o.jpg](https://farm66.staticflickr.com/65535/51188654343_1281e23f0e_o.jpg)
 * Regards,
 *  Plugin Author [e4jvikwp](https://wordpress.org/support/users/e4jvikwp/)
 * (@e4jvikwp)
 * [5 years ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/error-message-could-not-instantiate-mail-function/#post-14466211)
 * Hi,
    Yes exactly, you can change the email from the panel on your screenshot.
 * Please, for any further problems with the email functions, contact us by using
   our Contact Us page so that others technical can come to you asap.
 * Thank you,
    Best Regards, VikWP Staff

Viewing 6 replies - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)

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 * Last activity: [5 years ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/error-message-could-not-instantiate-mail-function/#post-14466211)
 * Status: resolved