11 WordPress Login Issues and How to Fix Them Easily

Are you struggling to log into your WordPress site? Maybe you’ve forgotten your password, or your browser is acting up.

Or perhaps a recent plugin update messed things up, or your theme is causing trouble.

These scenarios are frustrating, and many users face similar WordPress login issues every day.

Logging into WordPress should be simple. But we all know it doesn’t always work out that way. Whether it’s cookies, cache, or a stubborn redirect loop, these problems can stop you in your tracks.

Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned pro, it’s important to know how to tackle these pesky login troubles. Let’s explore some common WordPress login issues and easy ways to fix them.

TL;DR: WordPress login issues can happen for many reasons. You might have forgotten your password, there could be a problem with cookies, or plugins and themes might be causing issues. To fix this, try solving each problem one at a time. Being patient can help. To keep your site safe, use a strong security plugin and always have a good backup.

Common WordPress login issues

1. You have lost or forgotten your password

Forgetting your password is one of the most common WordPress login issues. It can happen to anyone. But don’t worry. There are easy ways to fix it.

First, check the login page. You will see a link that says Lost your password? Click on it. Enter your email address or username. WordPress will send you a link to reset your password. Follow the instructions to set a new, strong password.

Sometimes, this option might not work. Maybe you didn’t get the email. Or perhaps you can’t access your email. In this case, you can use phpMyAdmin to reset the password.

phpMyAdmin lets you manage your site’s database. You can find it in your hosting control panel. Open phpMyAdmin and select your WordPress database. Look for the table named wp_users. Find your username and click Edit.

Now, you can change your password. In the user_pass field, select MD5 from the dropdown list. Type your new password in the box next to it. Save the changes.

That’s it. You should now be able to log in to your WordPress site with your new password.

2. You have cookie issues

Cookies are small files that websites use to remember you. WordPress needs to set cookies to let you log in. If it can’t, you might face WordPress login issues.

First, check your browser settings. Make sure it allows cookies. If your browser blocks cookies, WordPress can’t log you in.

To fix this, enable cookies in your browser. Go to your browser’s settings. Look for the option to manage cookies. Allow your browser to set cookies.

If you’re concerned about privacy, you can choose to disable only third-party cookies. This way, WordPress can still set the cookies needed for login. But other sites won’t track you as easily.

Once you adjust these settings, try logging into WordPress again. If cookies were the issue, this should solve it.

3. You have plugin issues

Plugins add extra features to your WordPress site. But sometimes, they can cause problems too. Installing a new plugin or updating one changes system files. But a poorly coded plugin or a bad update can change your system files to the extent of breaking your login process.

Did you just install or update a plugin? If yes, it might be the reason for your login issue. You can disable the plugin using FTP to check if you can log in. To do this, connect to your site using an FTP client like Filezilla. Go to the wp-content/plugins folder and find the plugin you suspect. Rename its folder to deactivate it.

Try logging in again. If you still can’t, disable all plugins. Use FTP and rename the entire plugins folder. This will deactivate all plugins.

If you can now log in, a plugin was causing the issue. Reactivate your plugins one by one. Each time you enable a plugin, check if you can still log in. This will help you find the problematic plugin.

Once you know which plugin is at fault, you have options. You can replace it with an alternative. Or inform the developers about your issue. That way, they can work on a fix.

4. You have theme issues

Themes make your WordPress site look good. But like plugins, changing or updating a theme can cause WordPress login issues.

Sometimes, a theme update or installation might mess with the login process. But, unlike plugins, you can’t just disable all themes. Your site needs at least one active theme to work. If you think a theme is causing problems, switch to a default theme and see if that helps.

To do this, you’ll need phpMyAdmin again. Log in to your hosting control panel and open phpMyAdmin. Find your WordPress database, and look for the wp_options table.

Here, locate the rows named template and stylesheet. These rows show your current theme. Change their values to a default theme like twentytwentytwo.

After making these changes, try logging in again. If the theme caused the issue, you should now be able to log in. Once you’re in, you can further troubleshoot the problem or look for a new theme.

5. You need to clear your caches

Caches help your site load faster by storing tiny bits of information so your site can be retrieved quickly. But, over time, caches can expire. This means they might store old, outdated information. This can lead to WordPress login issues.

Start by clearing your browser cache. This is a quick way to remove any old data that might be causing the problem. Go to your browser settings and find the option to clear the cache.

Besides your browser cache, clear other caches related to your website too. If you use a caching plugin, go to its settings and clear the cache. Also, check if you have a CDN (Content Delivery Network) set up and clear its cache. If your server caches data, you can clear that as well.

Clearing your caches forces your site to load the most current data. Once done, try logging in again. This simple step can often fix many login-related issues.

6. You have 2FA problems

Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) is a great way to secure your WordPress login. But, it can cause WordPress login issues if it is not set up correctly.

First, ensure you set up 2FA using a reputed plugin. Connect it to a trusted authenticator app. Apps like Google Authenticator or Authy work well. If you’re having trouble logging in, try de-linking and re-linking your 2FA app. This often fixes the issue.

If that doesn’t help, you might need to disable the 2FA plugin temporarily. You can do this using FTP. Connect to your site and go to the wp-content/plugins directory. Find your 2FA plugin’s folder and rename it to deactivate it.

Try logging in again. If the problem was with your 2FA, you should be able to log in now. Consider replacing the problematic 2FA plugin with another one. Choose a plugin that is known to work well with WordPress sites. This way, you might have 99 problems in the future, but 2FA won’t be one.

7. You have the wrong user permissions

User permissions in WordPress decide who gets how much access. Each user role has different levels of access. Sometimes, WordPress login issues arise if your user role restricts access.

If you can’t log in due to your role, ask the site admin for help. They can level up your role if it’s necessary for your tasks.

If you changed your own role by mistake, reach out to another admin to fix it. They can reinstate your correct role. You can also use phpMyAdmin to change your user role. Log into phpMyAdmin, go to your WordPress database, and find the wp_users and wp_usermeta tables. There, you can adjust your role.

In some cases, a hacker might change your user role to lock you out. This is serious, but can be fixed. Using phpMyAdmin, create a new admin user role. This allows you to regain control of your site.

Once you regain access, run a thorough security audit. Remove any suspicious users and patch up vulnerabilities. This can help prevent future security threats to your site.

Advanced WordPress login issues

1. Your WordPress login is temporarily disabled

Sometimes, WordPress may temporarily disable the login page. This happens when it thinks your site is under a brute-force attack. WordPress locks the login page to protect your site.

This lock can trigger for two reasons. One is an actual brute-force attack on your site. The other reason could be that you or someone else tried to log in with incorrect credentials too many times.

When this happens, the login page usually stays locked for 15-20 minutes. Wait for this period to end, then try logging in again. Be cautious, though. If WordPress sees continued incorrect login attempts, it might lock the page again.

To prevent these issues, ensure you save your correct login details. Use a reliable security plugin that limits login attempts to help protect your site from actual attacks. This way, you can cut the risks and frustrations of being temporarily locked out.

2. Your WordPress login is stuck in a redirect loop

You try to log in, but each time you hit Log In, you’re sent back to the login page. This cycle seems endless. It means you’re stuck in a redirect loop.

Several things can cause this issue. Malware could be the culprit. Plugin or theme issues might also lead to it. Sometimes, incorrect URL settings in WordPress can cause redirection problems.

Start by scanning your site for malware. Use a strong security plugin like MalCare to remove any threats. Clearing malware can often break the redirect loop.

Next, check your site’s settings. Look at the URL settings in the WordPress dashboard. Ensure that both WordPress Address (URL) and Site Address (URL) are correct and match.

Also, review your plugins and themes. Disable any recently updated or suspicious ones to see if they are causing the loop.

3. Your WordPress site keeps logging you out

Imagine you log in to your WordPress site, but it keeps logging you out. This issue can be frustrating.

Several things may cause this problem. Malware could kick you out repeatedly. Cookie issues or browser settings might also play a role.

First, scan your site for malware. Use a reliable security plugin like MalCare to detect and remove any threats. This step can often solve the issue.

Next, look at your cookies and browser settings. Ensure that your browser allows cookies for WordPress. If not, adjust the settings to enable them.

Run a comprehensive audit on your site. Check for any suspicious user accounts that might be causing trouble. Remove any users you don’t recognize or trust.

Following these steps can help keep you logged in to your WordPress site without interruptions.

4. You changed your WordPress URL and now can’t log in

You might have read about changing your login URL to secure your WordPress site. Many guides suggest this method. But, it’s important to remember that this is not a foolproof security measure. It’s a temporary solution that doesn’t promise complete security.

Hackers can eventually discover your new login URL. They might also use other methods, like exploiting XML-RPC, to attack your site.

If you’ve changed your login URL and now can’t access your site, revert to the default login URL. This ensures you can at least log in and manage your site.

Instead of relying on URL changes for security, use a strong WordPress-specific firewall. A plugin like MalCare can protect against hackers, bots, and brute-force attacks. This kind of robust security solution provides better protection for your site than login URL changes.

5. You are locked out of your WordPress site

Sometimes, you just can’t get into your WordPress site and it feels like you’re locked out. This can happen for several reasons. Password trouble, plugin errors, or database problems might be behind it.

The first step to getting back in is to find the root cause. Check if it’s a password issue by trying the password reset option. If plugins might be the problem, use FTP to deactivate them and see if you can log in.

If you suspect an issue with the WordPress database, access it via phpMyAdmin. Look for any incorrect data or settings affecting the login process.

Once you identify the cause, address it step by step. This approach will help you regain access to your site. With patience, you can solve the problem and continue managing your WordPress site smoothly.

6. You can’t access wp-admin

The wp-admin area is your WordPress site’s dashboard. It’s where you manage everything. If you can’t access wp-admin, you may face several issues.

Sometimes, incorrect login details block you from accessing wp-admin. Double-check your username and password to ensure they’re correct.

Browser settings can also affect access. Make sure cookies are enabled, as WordPress requires them for login.

Plugin conflicts might also block your access. Use FTP to disable recent plugins and see if that helps.

File permissions and memory limits could be hidden culprits. Check your site’s file permissions to ensure wp-admin files are accessible. You might also need to increase your site’s memory limit by editing the wp-config.php file.

By checking these areas, you can identify and resolve the issue. This can help you regain access to your WordPress dashboard.

Final thoughts

Dealing with WordPress login issues can be tough, but there’s always a way to fix them. You might need to reset your password or change some database settings. Knowing about these common problems can help you avoid bigger issues. If you understand what causes them, you can solve them quickly and get back to running your site.

To keep your WordPress site safe and working well, it’s smart to use security and backup plugins. A plugin like MalCare can protect your site from threats. It has a strong malware scanner and a tool to remove malware easily. It also takes backups so you can quickly restore your site if needed. These features help keep your site safe, allowing you to focus on creating great content.

FAQs

Why is my WordPress login not working?

If your WordPress login is not working, there could be several reasons. Common issues include incorrect login details, cookie problems, or plugin conflicts that interfere with the login process. Sometimes, security measures like 2FA could malfunction. You might also face a caching issue displaying outdated login information. Other causes could be incorrect user roles, file permission errors, or even malware affecting your site. To troubleshoot, ensure your login details are correct, cookies are enabled, and deactivate plugins or themes if needed. Scan for malware and check your database settings to resolve the issue.

How do I fix a WordPress login loop?

To fix a WordPress login loop, start by clearing your browser cache and cookies. They might store outdated data causing the issue. Next, disable plugins and themes using FTP to identify if one is causing the loop. Then, reactivate them one by one while testing your login. Ensure your WordPress and Site Address URLs are correct in the settings. Scan your site for malware with a security plugin to remove any harmful code. By following these steps, you can break the loop and regain access to your WordPress dashboard.

Why am I getting so many failed login attempts on WordPress?

You might see many failed login attempts on WordPress because bots or hackers are trying to guess your password. This is called a brute-force attack and is common. You can make it harder for them by using strong, unique passwords and not using easy-to-guess usernames. Add security measures like a plugin to limit login attempts, enable two-factor authentication, and use a WordPress-specific firewall. MalCare can help with all these tasks and more. Be sure to regularly check and update your site’s security settings to keep these threats away.