### [Access Denied (Elastic Email)](https://wpmailsmtp.com/docs/access-denied-elastic-email/)

**Published:** May 14, 2026
**Author:** David Ozokoye

**Content:**

**Note**: This guide applies to the [Elastic Email mailer](https://wpmailsmtp.com/docs/how-to-set-up-the-elastic-email-mailer-in-wp-mail-smtp/ "Elastic Email") in WP Mail SMTP.

## What This Error Means

The Elastic Email API key in WP Mail SMTP is valid, but Elastic Email rejected the request. This usually means the key is missing the permission needed to send email, or its access is restricted.

## Common Causes

- API key was created without the **Plugin** permission level (missing the **Send email via HTTP** permission)
- API key has an IP restriction that doesn’t include your server’s IP address

## How to Fix

Here is the complete step-by-step guide to resolving the error.

### Step 1: Check the API Key Permissions

The most common cause is a key with the wrong permission level. Fix it by editing the existing key.

Start by logging in to your [Elastic Email](https://app.elasticemail.com/login "Elastic Email") account. Once you’re logged in, click **Settings** in the sidebar.

![Click Settings in the Elastic Email sidebar](https://wpmailsmtp.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/elasticemail-dashboard-click-settings.png)Then, click **Manage API keys** and select the **three-dot menu icon** (⋯) next to your API key.

![Click the three-dot menu icon next to your API key](https://wpmailsmtp.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/manage-keys-click-menu.png)Click **Edit** to update the API key permission.

![Click Edit in the menu](https://wpmailsmtp.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/manage-keys-click-edit.png)Under **Permissions**, select **Plugin**. This automatically enables the “Send email via HTTP” permission that WP Mail SMTP requires.

![Select the Plugin permission level](https://wpmailsmtp.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/edit-key-select-plugin.png)After updating the permission, click **Save** to save your changes.

![Click Save](https://wpmailsmtp.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/edit-key-click-save.png)To test the fix, log in to your WordPress admin area and go to **WP Mail SMTP » Tools**, click the **Email Test** tab, and click **Send Email**.

![Test email tab](https://wpmailsmtp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/test-email-tab-1024x1002.png)
If the error is gone, you’re done. If it persists, continue to Step 2.

### Step 2: Check for an IP Restriction

If the permissions are already set to **Plugin**, the key may have an IP restriction that blocks your server. Here’s how to resolve it:

Return to your Elastic Email account dashboard and select **Settings** in the sidebar. Next, click **Manage API keys**.

After that, click the **three-dot menu icon** (⋯) next to your API key, then click **Edit**.

In the API setting page, click **Set access restriction (optional)** to expand the section.

![Click Set access restriction to expand the section](https://wpmailsmtp.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/edit-key-click-restriction.png)If the IP field contains any values, your key is restricted to those IP addresses. Either clear the field entirely to remove the restriction, or add your server’s IP address.

![Check the IP restriction field](https://wpmailsmtp.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/edit-key-ip-restriction.png)Once done, click **Save** to update your settings.

Then return to your WordPress admin area and send a test email.

If the error is gone, you’re done. If it persists, try creating a new API key (see below).

### Alternative: Create a New API Key

If you’d rather start fresh with a new key instead of editing the existing one:

In Elastic Email, go to **Settings** and click **Create additional API key**.

![Click Create additional API key](https://wpmailsmtp.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/settings-click-create-api-key.png)Next, enter a descriptive name (for example, “WP Mail SMTP”).

![Enter a name for the API key](https://wpmailsmtp.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/create-key-enter-name.png)Under **Permissions**, select the **Plugin** permission level.

![Select the Plugin permission level](https://wpmailsmtp.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/create-key-select-plugin.png)Finally, click **Create** to generate your API key.

![Click Create](https://wpmailsmtp.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/create-key-click-create.png)Copy the API key immediately. Elastic Email only shows the full key once.

![Copy the API key](https://wpmailsmtp.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/api-key-copy.png)**Note**: Make sure to store your API key in a secure location. After closing this dialog, you can’t retrieve it.

In **WP Mail SMTP » Settings**, scroll to the **Elastic Email** section, clear the old **API Key** field, paste the new key, and click **Save Settings**.

## Notes

- Elastic Email recommends the **Plugin** permission level for third-party integrations. It includes only the permissions WP Mail SMTP needs.
- If you don’t know your server’s IP address, ask your hosting provider or temporarily remove the IP restriction to confirm it’s the cause.
- If the error persists after fixing both permissions and IP restrictions, your Elastic Email account may be suspended or under review. Log into Elastic Email and check for alert banners at the top of the dashboard. Contact Elastic Email support to resolve account-level issues.

That’s It! You now know how to fix the ‘Access Denied’ error in Elastic Email and get your emails sending again through WP Mail SMTP.

**Categories:** Elastic Email Errors, Error Library

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