GoHighLevel Messaging Setup Guide

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GoHighLevel Messaging Setup Guide

If you are switching from tools like ClickUp or other CRMs, setting up messaging correctly in GoHighLevel is essential to ensure your emails and SMS send successfully and appear in the Conversations tab. This guide walks you step-by-step through the settings you must verify and how to troubleshoot when messages are not sending or not showing.

Understanding GoHighLevel Messaging Requirements

GoHighLevel messaging uses a combination of SMTP settings, phone number configurations, and Conversation settings. If any part is misconfigured, your emails or texts may fail or not show properly.

Before troubleshooting, confirm you have:

  • Admin access to the sub-account where you are testing
  • At least one configured SMTP or email service
  • At least one active phone number connected to the location

Check Your GoHighLevel Test Environment

Always test messaging in a controlled way so you can isolate issues quickly.

  1. Create or select a contact that uses your own email and phone number.
  2. Open the Conversations tab in GoHighLevel for that contact.
  3. Send both an SMS and an email to your own contact record.
  4. Verify that the messages are delivered and that replies appear in the same thread.

If the messages fail or do not appear, continue with the troubleshooting steps below.

Verifying GoHighLevel Email (SMTP) Configuration

Email sending in GoHighLevel depends on having a valid SMTP or email provider integration. If emails are not sending or are missing from Conversations, start here.

Step 1: Open Email Services in GoHighLevel

  1. Go to your GoHighLevel sub-account.
  2. Navigate to Settings > SMTP & Mailgun Services (or your equivalent email service area).

In this section, confirm that at least one email service is connected and marked as active.

Step 2: Confirm the From Address and Domain

Within your email service configuration:

  • Check that the From Name and From Email are set correctly.
  • Ensure the sending domain has the required DNS records (such as SPF and DKIM) configured at your domain registrar or DNS host.

If DNS is not set correctly, emails may not send, may go to spam, or may fail silently.

Step 3: Run a GoHighLevel Email Test

  1. Use the Test or Send Test Email option inside your SMTP or provider settings.
  2. Send the test to your own email address.
  3. Check your inbox and spam folders to confirm delivery.

If the test fails, you must resolve the SMTP or DNS errors before GoHighLevel can send emails reliably.

Verifying GoHighLevel Phone and SMS Setup

For SMS and MMS messaging in GoHighLevel, you need a properly configured phone number and provider connection.

Step 1: Confirm Phone Number Assignment

  1. In your GoHighLevel location, go to Settings > Phone Numbers.
  2. Verify at least one phone number is active.
  3. Ensure the number is assigned to the correct location and is not disabled.

Step 2: Check SMS Provider Status

Depending on your GoHighLevel setup, SMS may be powered by Twilio or LC Phone integration. Inside the phone settings, confirm:

  • The provider connection is active.
  • There are no error messages on the phone number record.
  • Compliance requirements, such as A2P 10DLC registration, are completed where applicable.

Step 3: Test SMS Sending in GoHighLevel

  1. Open the Conversations tab.
  2. Select a contact with a valid mobile number (ideally your own phone).
  3. Send a short SMS message.
  4. Confirm the message is delivered and that you can reply.

If SMS messages fail, review your phone provider logs and correct any account or compliance issues.

Ensuring Messages Appear in GoHighLevel Conversations

Sometimes emails or SMS are delivered but do not appear in the Conversations view in GoHighLevel. This usually means the channel is not properly linked to the Conversation system.

Check Conversation Settings

  1. Go to Settings in your sub-account.
  2. Open the Conversations or Messaging section.
  3. Verify that each active channel (email, SMS, and others) is enabled to sync into Conversations.

If a channel is disabled or not connected, messages might send via the provider but not show in your GoHighLevel inbox.

Verify User-Level Access in GoHighLevel

If specific users cannot see messages, but others can, check user permissions:

  • Navigate to Settings > Team Management (or Users).
  • Open the user profile.
  • Confirm they have permission to view Conversations for the location.

After updating permissions, ask the user to log out and log back into GoHighLevel.

Common GoHighLevel Messaging Issues and Fixes

Emails Not Sending from GoHighLevel

  • Confirm SMTP or email provider credentials are accurate.
  • Check DNS records for your domain.
  • Ensure your sending limit or quota has not been exceeded with your provider.
  • Try sending a test from both the email service screen and the contact record.

SMS Not Sending in GoHighLevel

  • Verify the phone number is active and properly assigned.
  • Check for any provider-side errors or suspension.
  • Ensure the message is under character limits and does not include blocked content.
  • Confirm the contact has a valid mobile number, including country code where required.

Messages Not Appearing in Conversations

  • Confirm the channel is linked under Conversation settings.
  • Make sure you are viewing the correct location in GoHighLevel.
  • Filter the Conversations view to include all channels and all users.
  • Refresh the page or test from a different browser.

Advanced GoHighLevel Troubleshooting Steps

If basic checks do not resolve your messaging problems, use these additional steps.

Review Provider Logs

For detailed error codes, open your connected email or SMS provider dashboard. Compare timestamps and message IDs with what you see in GoHighLevel. This helps pinpoint whether the issue is in the CRM or at the provider level.

Check Automation and Workflow Settings

If messages triggered by workflows are failing in GoHighLevel:

  • Open the specific workflow or campaign.
  • Confirm the messaging action uses the correct channel and from address or from number.
  • Ensure any required fields on the contact (email, phone) are populated before the step runs.
  • Test by enrolling a single contact manually and observing the execution logs.

Temporarily Disable Conflicting Automations

Multiple workflows may attempt to send messages at the same time. Temporarily pause non-essential automations and test again. If messages begin to send correctly, re-enable workflows one by one to isolate the conflict.

When to Contact GoHighLevel Support

If you have verified SMTP, phone numbers, Conversation settings, and provider status but messaging still fails, gather the following before contacting support:

  • Sub-account name and location ID
  • Examples of affected contacts
  • Timestamps of failed messages
  • Screenshots of error messages from providers or GoHighLevel

Then, reach out through the official support channels listed on the GoHighLevel help center. You can also review the original documentation and updates here: GoHighLevel messaging setup and troubleshoot.

Additional Resources for Optimizing GoHighLevel

To get more value from GoHighLevel, consider exploring best practices, templates, and implementation services. An experienced implementation partner can help you align messaging, automations, and reporting.

For strategic CRM consulting and marketing automation support, you can visit Consultevo for additional guidance and resources.

By following this structured checklist and verifying each configuration area, you can ensure that GoHighLevel messaging is set up correctly, your emails and SMS send reliably, and every interaction appears in the Conversations view for your team.

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