Fix the WordPress Login Temporarily Disabled Error in 3 Quick Steps

You’re trying to log into your WordPress site to make a quick change, like updating a page or publishing a post. But suddenly, the door slams shut. Instead of inviting you in, it says, WordPress login temporarily disabled. Frustrating, right?

This common WordPress login issue arises when WordPress puts a hold on your login page. Regular users may get caught in the system, thinking they’ve simply forgotten their password.

While annoying, WordPress does this to protect your site from threats like brute-force attacks. If you’re facing this issue, don’t worry. There are straightforward ways to fix it and to stop it from happening again.

In this article, we’ll guide you through the problem and share how to guard your site against these threats. By the end, your WordPress login will be safe and secure.

TL;DR: The WordPress login temporarily disabled issue happens when your site locks the login page to stop probable attacks. This keeps hackers out but can also block real users who fail to log in too many times. MalCare helps prevent this problem by protecting against bots and limiting login tries. It also adds security features like CAPTCHA or 2FA to further secure your site.

What is the WordPress login temporarily disabled issue?

The WordPress login temporarily disabled message is an automatic response. WordPress does this when it suspects a brute-force attack. Brute-force attacks are when someone tries to repeatedly log in to your site by guessing user credentials. Hackers often use automated bots to mount such attacks.

Sometimes, this message pops up because a real user keeps entering the wrong password or username. Maybe you forgot your login info and tried too many times. WordPress sees this as suspicious and puts a temporary hold on the login page.

This hold usually lasts for 15 minutes. If the system detects more suspicious attempts after that, it will add another 15-minute hold. This cycle continues if the attacks keep happening. It’s like WordPress is putting up a “Do Not Enter” sign to protect your site.

How to fix WordPress login temporarily disabled issue?

The WordPress login temporarily disabled issue is a serious one. Thankfully, though, the solutions for it are pretty straightforward.

1. Use a WordPress-specific firewall like MalCare

A WordPress-specific firewall is your first line of defense. It protects your site from bots and brute-force attacks. This stops the WordPress login temporarily disabled issue from even setting in. Plus, it prevents the problem from recurring.

We recommend MalCare as a great option. Its Atomic Security firewall smartly identifies malicious traffic and blocks them before it reaches your site.

Plus, MalCare comes with a robust malware scanner to find even the most obscure malware on a site. Its one-click malware removal can take out even the stickiest malware. And in the rare case that it can’t, MalCare’s support team is always available to take cleaning matters into their hands.

2. Limit login attempts

Limiting login attempts is a smart way to keep your site secure. It involves preventing too many wrong logins from happening in a row. These wrong logins could be from genuine users who forgot their credentials or from automated bots.

With MalCare, login attempts are automatically limited. If someone enters the wrong password too many times, they get blocked for a while. If it’s a genuine user, they can unblock themselves by entering a CAPTCHA value along with the correct credentials. This reduces the risk of brute-force attacks.

3. Use CAPTCHA or two-factor authentication (2FA)

Adding extra security steps like CAPTCHA or 2FA can protect your logins even more. CAPTCHA requires users to complete a simple task that bots can’t do. The tasks could be as simple as finding the traffic lights in a collage of images or something a bit more complicated, like solving an equation.

Meanwhile, two-factor authentication (2FA) adds another layer, like sending a code to your phone or an authentication app. This code must be entered along with your credentials when logging in.

MalCare can help set up both these options. This makes it much harder for unauthorized users or bots to access your site, keeping it more secure.

Misconceptions about fixing WordPress login temporarily disabled issue

Several fixes abound because of how common the WordPress login temporarily disabled issue is. However, some such fixes are not fixes at all. Here are some common misconceptions around fixing this issue:

Hide or change your WordPress login page

Some sites suggest hiding or changing your WordPress login page. While this may sound like a clever solution, it’s not foolproof. Hackers can still find your new login page. If they do, the same issues will just come back. Plus, constantly changing the login page can be inconvenient for you and your users.

Limit access to specific IP addresses

Others say you should restrict login page access only to your IP address. At first glance, this seems secure. But what happens if you switch networks, like from home to a coffee shop Wi-Fi? What if you change devices? And if you have multiple site admins, this method becomes a hassle. Adjusting IP settings each time is inefficient and impractical. It can end up locking you out rather than keeping threats out.

What to do after fixing the WordPress login temporarily disabled issue?

Now that you have fixed the WordPress login temporarily disabled issue, here are some ways in which you can prevent it from recurring and secure your site:

Scan your site

After resolving the login issue, the first step is to scan your site for malware. Malware can open doors for hackers to exploit and start attacks again. Use a reliable security tool like MalCare to perform a thorough scan and remove any threats.

Change all passwords

It’s a good idea to change all your passwords after facing this issue. Ask your users to update their passwords too. Strong, unique passwords add an extra layer of security and help keep your site safe.

Conduct a security audit

Conduct a security audit to check for suspicious users or unknown plugins and themes. These can be potential threats. Get rid of anything that looks suspicious or that you no longer use. This helps secure your site further.

Back up your site

Make sure to back up your site regularly. This way, you have a safe copy of your site, just in case things go wrong again. Having a recent backup makes recovery much easier and less stressful. Use a service like BlogVault to keep your site automatically backed up in secure, off-site servers with any-time availability.

Educate users

Inform your users about potential hacking attempts, like social engineering and phishing. Educating them helps prevent these tricks from succeeding. The more aware they are, the better protected your site will be from various threats.

Final thoughts

Dealing with the WordPress login temporarily disabled issue can be frustrating. For people who are facing it for the first time, it can be scary too. While the temporary lock is a hassle, it protects your site from harmful attacks. Once you regain access to your site, focus on strengthening its security. Regular scans, password updates, and teaching users about threats will help keep your site safe.

Taking proactive steps will save you trouble in the future. MalCare is a great tool to consider. It limits login attempts and provides extra login security features, like CAPTCHA and 2FA. You also get robust malware scanning, a smart firewall, and vulnerability protection. Together with all these features, MalCare ensures your site is always safe and secure.

FAQs

Why does my WordPress login say this has been disabled?

Your WordPress login might say it’s disabled because the system thinks there are too many login attempts happening, which it sees as a security threat. This usually happens during a brute-force attack when hackers try many passwords to break in. Sometimes, even regular users who forget their password and try logging in multiple times can trigger this response. It’s WordPress’s way of protecting your site from unauthorized access by temporarily locking the login page.

How do I enable login in WordPress?

To enable login in WordPress, you first need to wait for the temporary lock to lift, which usually takes about 15 minutes. After waiting, try logging in again with the correct username and password. If the issue continues, check your security settings or use a security plugin like MalCare to adjust the settings to prevent future lockouts. You can also reset your password if needed to ensure you have the correct login details.

Does WordPress limit login attempts?

No, WordPress doesn’t limit login attempts by default. To limit login attempts, you need to use a security plugin like MalCare or a specialized plugin like Limit Login Attempts Reloaded. These plugins help protect your site by blocking users who enter the wrong password too many times in a row. This keeps your site safer from brute-force attacks.

Does WordPress track logins?

No, WordPress doesn’t track logins by default. However, you can use plugins to keep an eye on login activity. A security plugin like MalCare has an activity log that lets you view who logged into your site and when, among several other things. This helps you monitor any suspicious activity and improve your site’s security.