Mailer Error: Could not instantiate mail function.

I know my default Joomla PHP mail is working because I have a contact form that I've tested successfully. I've searched and found some topics in which the following error I'm getting was solved a couple simple ways that I've tried with no success:

Mailer Error: Could not instantiate mail function.

Do I need to set up an email account and try using SMTP instead?

Hello dryke_chris,
I'm not a Chrono professional, but after checking your new post, I think that the following links may help:
Error: "Could not instantiate mail function"
P.S: I'm just an automated service😉

SMTP did not work either and I can confirm the settings are correct because I tested them outside using the Joomla system contact menu item. The error this time is:

Mailer Error: SMTP Error: The following recipients failed: my_email@was_here.com
SMTP server error: Verification failed for 550-No Such User Here" 550 Sender verify failed

Following the suggested link above, I'm not running an earlier version of Joomla 3.0, so I don't know if the suggestion there will help, but I downloaded the zip file for the "custom email action", but I have no idea where to place the files inside/how to install them.

Hi Dryke,

What's your Chronoforms version ?

Which mailing method is set in your Joomla global config ?

Regards,
Max

Hi dryke_chris,

I assume that you are using CFv5 in which case my Email [GH] action won't help as it is for CFv4 :-(

I'm afraid you need Max to answer the Cfv5 question as I haven't yet worked out how that email service works. The error message suggests that the From Email address you are using is not being recognised by the SMTP service.

Bob

Thank you guys for all the really great support, it is really very very much appreciated.

I am using ChronoForms 5.0 RC5 on Joomla 3.3.0.

I have tried all the different mail options in the global config and I tried changing the mail option in ChronoForms to SMTP and nothing will get my form to send mail. My options in the global config all work properly when tested with a front end contact page from the Joomla system, so I know my PHP mailer is working and my SMTP settings are set correctly.

Hi Dryke,

First, please update CF to RC6

Now, if your Joomla global config mailing method is set to "PHP mailer" then please disable the SMTP setting in CF settings.

Now test your email, if it doesn't work then please add a debugger action after the email and post the report here

Regards,
Max

It still didn't work, so here is the debugger info:

Data Array:

Array
(
    [option] => com_chronoforms5
    [chronoform] => Get_a_Quote
    [event] => submit
    [first_name] => Chris
    [last_name] => Bjerken
    [email] => chris@dryke.com
    [text19] => 3605765045
    [datepicker8] => 05/23/2014
    [text9] => 11:11 am
    [text14] => United States
    [text10] => 8808 NE 21st Ave
    [text11] => Vancouver
    [text12] => WA
    [text13] => 98665
    [text20] => 12-15
    [dropdown22] => 0
    [type_specify] => 
    [menu_style] => 2
    [menu_style_specify] => 
    [textarea28] => 
    [text29] => 
    [textarea30] => 
    [text32] => 
    [tableware] => 1
    [radio36] => 0
    [textarea37] => 
    [text38] => Designed their web site
    [captcha] => 
    [button35] => Submit
    [ip_address] => 173.164.111.42
)
Array
(
)

Errors:

Errors
Array
(
)

Debug Info:

Array
(
    [8] => Array
        (
            [Email] => Array
                (
                    [0] => An email with the details below could NOT be sent:
                    [1] => To:chris@dryke.com
                    [2] => Subject:Request for a Quote
                    [3] => From name:For the Grill of It
                    [4] => From email:noreply@forthegrillofit.com
                    [5] => CC:
                    [6] => BCC:
                    [7] => Reply name:
                    [8] => Reply email:
                    [9] => Attachments:
                    [10] => Body:
<table>
<tr><td>Basics</td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>First name</td><td>Chris</td></tr>
<tr><td>Text Label</td><td>Bjerken</td></tr>
<tr><td>Text Label</td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>Text Label</td><td></td></tr>
</table><br /><br />IP: 173.164.111.42
                )

        )

)

Hi Chris,

So your Joomla core config mailing method is set to "php mailer" ? and does the name set for "from email" there match the one used in the form ?

Regards,
Max

In my global config, my Mailer is set to PHP Mail, but the email address IS different than the email address I'm using in this form. My email address is currently in the form for testing purposes. Do they need to match?

I tried changing the email address in the global config to match the address that my form is pointed to mail to, but alas, I still get the same error.

Since you have the Joomla mailing works then its better to test an email with the same from email, so just copy the from name/email from the Joomla global config to your Email action settings in the form and test that.

Regards,
Max

Thanks, I went ahead and tried that and it still displayed the same error for me.

Then if possible please send me login info using the "contact us" page.

I have done so.

Thank you very much for helping me out, Max.

What solved my problem was simple; I just changed the "from" address to a real address instead of an imaginary "noreply@..." address.

I wonder if there isn't some setting on the web host's Linux sever that prevents mail from sending if the from line has an email address that doesn't exist; if that's true I'm just not sure how it would check that. Just a thought; I don't know why it was throwing me an error and not sending with that address.

I think that there is some setting to control this, you can check with your web host, however, I think its more secure to keep it as its.

You had mainly 2 problems:
#1- wrong "dynamic from name" config, its not advised to use a dynamic from name, and you should not test it before the form is working fine.
#2- the static from email didn't match the one in your Joomla global config, it could be different but since the rules are tight on your server then its advised start testing with the same one.

Regards,
Max

I followed all conversation. I have same problem, and I cannot fix.
Same error.
I checked mail adress, and both are the same.

Can you help me?

Thanks!

Hi Oriol,

Please add a debugger action after the email action and post the debug report!

Also, which version do you have ? if its v5 then what's the mailing method set under your Joomla global config ? if its SMTP then you must configure this as well under the Chronoforms Settings page!

Regards,
Max

I think I have the same method on both general and chronoform settings.
I attach images:
http://prntscr.com/4l4xph
http://prntscr.com/4l4xx6

Here is the debug:

Data Array
Array
(
[chronoform] => registre
[event] => submit
[name1] => oriol
[surname1] => cc
[name2] =>
[surmane2] =>
[name3] =>
[surname3] =>
[name4] =>
[surname4] =>
[name5] =>
[surname5] =>
[name6] =>
[surname6] =>
[email] => oriolcc@gmail.com
[inscripcion] => Event
[Observaciones] =>
[button29] => Submit
[ip_address] => 80.101.91.128
)
Array
(
)
Errors
Array
(
)
Debug Info
Array
(
[1] => Array
(
[Email] => Array
(
[0] => An email with the details below could NOT be sent:
[1] => To:event@institutolean.og
[2] => Subject:Inscripción Event 2014
[3] => From name:
[4] => From email:
[5] => CC:
[6] => BCC:
[7] => Reply name:
[8] => Reply email:
[9] => Attachments:
[10] => Body:
<div class="gform-all"><div class="gform-section"><div class="gform-line-tr" id="ftr-name"><div class="gform-line-td" id="ftd-name"><label for="name" class="gform-label-left">Name</label>
<div class="gform-input-container gform-input" id="fin-name"></div></div></div><div class="gform-line-tr" id="ftr-email"><div class="gform-line-td" id="ftd-email"><label for="email" class="gform-label-left">Email</label>
<div class="gform-input-container gform-input" id="fin-email">oriolcc@gmail.com</div></div></div><div class="gform-line-tr" id="ftr-subject"><div class="gform-line-td" id="ftd-subject"><label for="subject" class="gform-label-left">Subject</label>
<div class="gform-input-container gform-input" id="fin-subject"></div></div></div><div class="gform-line-tr" id="ftr-message"><div class="gform-line-td" id="ftd-message"><label for="message" class="gform-label-left">Message</label>
<div class="gform-input-container gform-input" id="fin-message"></div></div></div><div class="gform-line-tr" id="ftr-submit5"><div class="gform-line-td" id="ftd-submit5">
<div class="gform-input-container gform-input" id="fin-submit5"></div></div></div></div></div><br /><br />IP: 80.101.91.128
)

)

)

You don't have the "From email" set in the "Email" action settings!

Regards,
Max

Filled! But same problem
http://prntscr.com/4lfeyd

Data Array
Array
(
    [chronoform] => registre
    [event] => submit
    [name1] => oriol
    [surname1] => cc
    [name2] => 
    [surmane2] => 
    [name3] => 
    [surname3] => 
    [name4] => 
    [surname4] => 
    [name5] => 
    [surname5] => 
    [name6] => 
    [surname6] => 
    [email] => oriolcc@gmail.com
    [inscripcion] => Event
    [Observaciones] => 
    [button29] => Submit
    [ip_address] => 80.101.91.128
)
Array
(
)
Errors
Array
(
)
Debug Info
Array
(
    [1] => Array
        (
            [Email] => Array
                (
                    [0] => An email with the details below could NOT be sent:
                    [1] => To:event@institutolean.og
                    [2] => Subject:Inscripción Event 2014
                    [3] => From name:Event Instituto Lean
                    [4] => From email:oriol_cc@hotmail.com
                    [5] => CC:
                    [6] => BCC:
                    [7] => Reply name:
                    [8] => Reply email:
                    [9] => Attachments:
                    [10] => Body:
<div class="gform-all"><div class="gform-section"><div class="gform-line-tr" id="ftr-name"><div class="gform-line-td" id="ftd-name"><label for="name" class="gform-label-left">Name</label>
<div class="gform-input-container gform-input" id="fin-name"></div></div></div><div class="gform-line-tr" id="ftr-email"><div class="gform-line-td" id="ftd-email"><label for="email" class="gform-label-left">Email</label>
<div class="gform-input-container gform-input" id="fin-email">oriolcc@gmail.com</div></div></div><div class="gform-line-tr" id="ftr-subject"><div class="gform-line-td" id="ftd-subject"><label for="subject" class="gform-label-left">Subject</label>
<div class="gform-input-container gform-input" id="fin-subject"></div></div></div><div class="gform-line-tr" id="ftr-message"><div class="gform-line-td" id="ftd-message"><label for="message" class="gform-label-left">Message</label>
<div class="gform-input-container gform-input" id="fin-message"></div></div></div><div class="gform-line-tr" id="ftr-submit5"><div class="gform-line-td" id="ftd-submit5">
<div class="gform-input-container gform-input" id="fin-submit5"></div></div></div></div></div><br /><br />IP: 80.101.91.128
                )

        )

)

done!
It was so simple as that!
thanks

Same problem:

System uses "SEND MAIL" and works fine in all the V4 forms

However in V5 I'm getting the error and cannot send e-mails

DEBUG INFO:

Array
(
    [1] => Array
        (
            [Email] => Array
                (
                    [0] => An email with the details below could NOT be sent:
                    [1] => To:xxxxxx@ziggo.nl
                    [2] => Subject:Geen
                    [3] => From name:Van mij
                    [4] => From email:xxxxxxxx@kpnmail.nl
                    [5] => CC:
                    [6] => BCC:
                    [7] => Reply name:
                    [8] => Reply email:
                    [9] => Attachments:
                    [10] => Body:
<table>
<tr><td>Textarea Label</td><td>TEXT</td></tr>
</table><br /><br />IP: x.xx.xx.xxx.xxx
                )

        )

)

Hi SPABO,

Please send me a message using the "Contact us" page to get an updated version which has the "Sendmail" option!

Regards,
Max

Hi Bob/Max,

Not sure what the rootcause is, but in site 1 everthing works flawless using PHP Mailer, site two only works with SMTP..

I leave it for what is is now and will later on discuss with the host of site site two

Rgds
K