Odoo 17 uses outgoing mail servers (SMTP) to send emails such as quotations, invoices, notifications, password resets, and automated system messages. Proper configuration of outgoing email is essential to ensure reliable communication with customers and users.
This article explains how to configure and test outgoing email in Odoo 17.
Prerequisites
Before starting, ensure you have:
- Administrator access to Odoo
- SMTP credentials from your email provider (e.g., Gmail, Microsoft 365, or a custom mail server)
-
SMTP details such as:
- Mail server address
- Port number
- Encryption type (SSL/TLS)
- Username and password
Step 1: Enable Developer Mode (Optional)
Some advanced email options are visible only in Developer Mode.
- Go to Settings
- Scroll down and click Activate the developer mode
Step 2: Access Outgoing Mail Servers
- Navigate to Settings
- Under Technical, click Outgoing Mail Servers
If you do not see the Technical menu, ensure Developer Mode is enabled.
Step 3: Create a New Outgoing Mail Server
Click New to create a new SMTP server and fill in the following fields:
General Information
-
Description
A friendly name for the server (e.g., Gmail SMTP or Company Mail Server) -
SMTP Server
The hostname of your mail server
(Example: smtp.gmail.com) -
SMTP Port
Common values:- 465 for SSL
- 587 for TLS
-
Connection Security
- SSL/TLS
- STARTTLS
- None (not recommended)
-
Username
Usually the full email address (e.g., notifications@yourcompany.com) -
Password
The SMTP password or app-specific password
Step 4: Set Sender Filtering (Optional but Recommended)
-
From Filter
Restricts which email addresses can use this SMTP server.
Example:@yourcompany.com
This ensures that only emails from your domain are sent using this server.
Step 5: Assign Priority (If Multiple Servers Exist)
If you have multiple outgoing mail servers:
- Use Priority to control which server is used first
- Lower number = higher priority
Step 6: Save and Test the Connection
- Click Save
- Click Test Connection
If the configuration is correct, Odoo will display a success message.
If an error occurs, verify your SMTP credentials and security settings.
Step 7: Configure the Default Sender Email
- Go to Settings
- Under Discuss, locate Alias Domain and Default From Email
- Set a valid sender email (e.g., no-reply@yourcompany.com)
This email will be used when no specific sender is defined.
Step 8: Verify User Email Addresses
Each Odoo user should have a valid email address:
- Go to Settings → Users & Companies → Users
- Open a user
- Ensure the Email Address field is correctly filled
Odoo uses this address as the sender for user-initiated emails.
Common SMTP Configurations
Gmail (Example)
- SMTP Server: smtp.gmail.com
- Port: 587
- Security: STARTTLS
- Username: your Gmail address
- Password: App password (recommended)
Note: Google requires app passwords if 2-step verification is enabled.
Troubleshooting Tips
- Check Settings → Technical → Email → Emails to view failed emails
- Review Odoo server logs for SMTP-related errors
- Ensure your hosting provider allows outbound SMTP traffic
- Confirm that your email provider does not block automated emails
Best Practices
- Use a dedicated email address for system emails
- Enable SPF, DKIM, and DMARC on your domain for better deliverability
- Avoid using personal email accounts for production systems
- Regularly test outgoing email after upgrades or server changes
Conclusion
Configuring outgoing email in Odoo 17 is a critical step for system communication and workflow automation. By properly setting up and testing your SMTP server, you ensure that all transactional and automated emails are delivered reliably.
For advanced email routing or multi-domain setups, consider configuring multiple outgoing mail servers with filters and priorities.
If you want, I can also:
- Rewrite this for Odoo Enterprise documentation tone
- Add screenshots placeholders
- Create a short version for helpdesk articles
- Customize it for Gmail, Microsoft 365, or SES