Articles on: Using FormStatus

Troubleshooting checklist to quickly get back on track

If a form test in FormStatus returns a Failed result, it means that either the form submission, confirmation, or email delivery did not complete as expected. This guide will help you identify common causes and walk you through how to resolve them.

Step 1: Review the test details

Start by viewing the detailed test report for the failed form. Look for any of the following indicators:

Submission error – the form could not be submitted
Missing confirmation – no success message or redirect was detected.
Email not received – the form was submitted, but no email notification arrived at FormStatus’s monitoring inbox.
SSL error – the form is hosted on a page that is not using a valid SSL certificate.

Understanding where the failure occurred will help you take the right next steps.

Step 2: Visit the form on your website

Manually test your form in a browser:

Does the page load over HTTPS (look for the padlock icon in the address bar)?
Can the form be filled out and submitted?
Does a confirmation message or thank-you page appear?

If the form doesn’t function or load securely, that’s likely the source of the failure.

If it submits successfully: The test failure might be a temporary glitch.

If it fails: Move on to the next steps.

Tip: If your site is down, contact your hosting provider first.

Step 3: Check email notification settings

If the submission works but email is missing:

Confirm that email notifications are enabled in your form settings.
Verify the recipient email address is correct.
Review any conditional logic that might prevent a notification from being sent.
Make sure required fields are correctly configured.

Step 4: Review email delivery configuration

Even when forms are set up correctly, poor email delivery can cause failures. Check:

Your WordPress email delivery method (e.g., SMTP plugin or third-party email service).
SMTP settings for accuracy and authorization.
SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records (ask your hosting provider if you’re unsure).
Spam or junk folders in your mailbox.

You can use a plugin like WP Test Email to send a test email and verify delivery.

Tip: Some forms may require you to adjust test settings to skip CAPTCHA or hidden fields.

Step 5: Confirm SSL and site security

FormStatus requires the page where your form is hosted to use a valid SSL certificate (HTTPS). This ensures:

Form submissions are encrypted and secure
Emails sent from your site are trusted by receiving mail servers
Users are protected from potential data interception

If your form page shows as Not Secure in the browser, speak to your hosting provider about enabling SSL.

Step 6: Consider recent site changes

Think back to any changes made before the failure:

Have you updated your theme or plugins?
Were form fields modified or removed?
Were new security, caching, or firewall tools added that may block form testing?

These changes might interfere with normal form behavior or block test submissions.

Tip: If changes were made, update your FormStatus test settings to match the new form layout.

Still need help?

Our team is here for you. Contact FormStatus Support and we'll help you troubleshoot the issue—fast and frustration-free. Be sure to include the form URL, a brief description of what’s happening, and any screenshots that might help!

Updated on: 14/05/2025

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