10 Reasons Why You Are Locked Out of WordPress and How to Fix Them

You’re ready to publish a new blog post or update your online store, but suddenly, you can’t log in to WordPress. It’s frustrating, right? Maybe you changed your password and can’t remember it, or you installed a security tool that locked you out. Getting locked out of WordPress is a real hassle.

Think about it: you want to finish important tasks, but you’re stuck fixing WordPress login issues. Your hard work on a blog post is now paused, and if you run a store, you can’t update products or help customers in need. This could mean losing sales or readers. For developers, it might stop important updates that keep a website running well.

Don’t worry—you’re not alone. Many WordPress users have faced this problem. The good news is, most of the time, there’s a way to fix it. In this article, we’ll show you how to solve getting locked out of WordPress so you can get back to your site quickly and easily.

TL;DR: Being locked out of WordPress can keep you from working on your site. Start by fixing common problems like password issues, plugin mistakes, and database errors. But before you try any fixes, make sure to back up your site. This way, you have a safety net in case something goes wrong.

1. Your password doesn’t work

Forgetting your password is a common reason people get locked out of WordPress. It happens to everyone because there are so many passwords to remember. But don’t worry; you can usually get back in easily.

The fastest way to reset your password is to use the Forgot your password? link on the WordPress login page. This link will send a password reset email to your registered email address.

When you get the email, follow the steps to create a new password. Make sure you set a strong password by using a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. After you reset it, you should be able to log in again.

If you don’t see the email in your inbox, check your spam or junk folder. Sometimes emails go there by mistake. With this simple reset, you can fix most password problems quickly.

2. Password recovery doesn’t work

Sometimes, the Forgot your password? option doesn’t work. You might not get the reset email, or it might not work for some other reason. If that happens, you can reset your password using phpMyAdmin. This takes a few more steps but is a reliable way to get back in when you are locked out of WordPress.

1. First, log in to your hosting account and open the cPanel. Look for phpMyAdmin and open it.

Your host might use other tools instead of cPanel, but the steps are similar. We’ll use cPanel for this guide.

2. In phpMyAdmin, find your WordPress database in the list.

If you have several sites, they will have different name prefixes. Click on the right one, and you’ll see some tables.

3. Find the users table. It’s usually called wp_users or yoursite_users. Click to see a list of users.

4. Find your username and click Edit next to it.

5. Look for the user_pass field where your password is stored.

6. Choose MD5 from the dropdown under Function. MD5 makes a coded version of your password that’s harder for others to figure out.

7. Type your new password in the Value field. Scroll down and click Go to save it.

Now, go back to the WordPress login page and try your new password. This way lets you reset your password without needing an email. It’s a useful trick when usual ways don’t work.

3. You are having trouble with 2FA or CAPTCHA plugins

Two-factor authentication (2FA) and CAPTCHA plugins make your WordPress site more secure by stopping unauthorized access. But sometimes, they can also cause problems and get you locked out of WordPress. This often happens if you have trouble with the 2FA code or solving the CAPTCHA.

First, make sure you’re entering the 2FA code correctly. If you use an app like Google Authenticator, check that your device’s time is right. For CAPTCHA, ensure you’re solving the image or puzzle correctly. Even a small mistake can keep you locked out of WordPress.

If you’re still having issues, you may need to turn off the 2FA or CAPTCHA plugin temporarily. You can do this by accessing your WordPress files using FTP or your hosting control panel. Look for the wp-content folder, then open the plugins folder. Find the plugin that’s causing trouble and rename its folder. This will deactivate the plugin.

After renaming the folder, try logging in again. If it works, the plugin might be the issue. Consider exploring other security options or reinstall the plugin and set it up again.

4. You made too many invalid login attempts

Getting locked out of WordPress after too many wrong login tries is a common problem. WordPress might do this to protect your site if it thinks it’s under a brute-force attack. If it detects many failed attempts, it might block you for 15 minutes. This feature helps keep your site safe, but it can be annoying if you’re locked out. Try logging in again after 15 minutes.

You might also have a plugin that can set login limits, like Limit Login Attempts Reloaded. These plugins can lock you out after several wrong tries. They are meant to protect your site but can sometimes be too strict.

If you can’t wait for the block to end, try turning off the login limit plugin for a while. Use FTP or your hosting control panel to access your site’s files. Go to the wp-content folder, then open the plugins folder. Find the plugin causing the login limit and rename its folder. This will deactivate it.

Once the plugin is off, try logging in again. If it works, the plugin was likely the problem. Check its settings to make sure they’re not too strict, or think about using different security tools. This way, you can stop future lockouts while keeping your site safe.

5. You set an incorrect WordPress URL

Incorrect WordPress URLs can make it hard to access your site, leading to lockouts. This happens when the URL settings in your wp-admin and wp-config.php files don’t match. It’s a common mistake, especially after moving your site or changing its address.

To fix it, start by checking the URLs in your wp-config.php file. You can access this file via an FTP client or your hosting control panel. Open the file and find the lines that say define('WP_HOME', 'your-site-url'); and define('WP_SITEURL', 'your-site-url');. Make sure both URLs are correct and match.

If editing the wp-config.php file doesn’t fix the issue, you may need to check your WordPress database. Use phpMyAdmin to go to your database and find the wp_options table. Look for the rows named siteurl and home, and ensure the URLs there match your site’s current address.

After making these changes, try accessing your site again. You should be able to log in without any trouble.

6. You lost your admin privileges

Losing your admin rights in WordPress can lock you out and cause big problems. This might happen if you accidentally removed your admin privileges or if a hacker accessed your site and changed your role. Either way, you can’t manage your site properly if this happens.

To fix this, you can create a new admin user using phpMyAdmin by following these steps:

1. Log in to your hosting account and open phpMyAdmin from cPanel.

2. Find your WordPress database and look for the wp_users table. Here, you will add a new user.

3. Click Copy to create a new row and enter your desired username and password. Use the MD5 function for the password.

4. Save these changes, then go to the wp_usermeta table.

5. Set the new user’s user_id to match the ID in the wp_users table.

6. Under meta_key, add wp_capabilities with the value a:1:{s:13:"administrator";b:1;} and wp_user_level with the value 10.

These steps will create a new admin account so you can access your WordPress dashboard again.

To prevent such issues in the future, use a security plugin like MalCare. It offers malware scanning, a firewall, and vulnerability protection. But remember, staying alert is as vital as using a security plugin. Watch out for tricks like phishing attacks. Following a strong security regimen along with a robust plugin like MalCare can help keep your site safe from hackers and unauthorized access.

7. You are facing the White Screen of Death (WSOD)

Facing the White Screen of Death (WSOD) can be scary. It leaves you locked out of WordPress and your site blank, without any error message to help you. This issue can come from many sources, so it’s important to fix common problems one by one until you find what’s wrong.

First, think about any changes you’ve made recently. Did you install a new plugin? Try deactivating it. Use FTP or your hosting control panel to access your site files and go to the wp-content/plugins folder. Rename the plugin’s folder to deactivate it and see if your site returns.

If you got locked out after installing a new theme, try switching to a default WordPress theme. You can do this using phpMyAdmin. Go to your database and find the wp_options table. Look for the template and stylesheet rows and change their values to a default theme like twentytwentyone.

You can also try increasing your site’s memory limit. Open your wp-config.php file and add the line define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');. This might help if the WSOD is because your site is running out of memory.

If your site recently updated and got stuck, it might be in maintenance mode. Look for a .maintenance file in your site’s root directory. Deleting this file can bring your site back to normal.

8. You are facing an error in establishing a database connection

An error in establishing a database connection can stop your site from loading and lock you out of WordPress. This usually happens if there’s an issue with your database or server. It could be due to corrupt data, wrong field values, or a server problem. Luckily, there are ways to fix it and get your site running again.

First, check your wp-config.php file to make sure the database connection details are correct. Make sure the database name, username, and password match what you have in your hosting account. If any of these are wrong, your site won’t connect properly and you’ll be locked out.

If that doesn’t solve the problem, try repairing your database. You can often do this through your web host’s cPanel or by editing the wp-config.php file. These steps can fix the database connection error and let you access your site again.

9. You are seeing a Parse/Syntax Error

A Parse or Syntax Error often shows up after you add new code or change existing code in important files like wp-config.php or .htaccess. Even a tiny mistake can get you locked out of WordPress and bring down your whole site.

If you recently edited code, start by checking those changes. Use FTP or your hosting control panel to access your site files. Open the file you modified and review the code carefully. Look for missing semicolons, extra brackets, or typos. These small errors can cause major issues.

If you’re unsure where the mistake is, try removing the most recent changes you made to the code. Save the file and check your site. If the error disappears, the problem was with the code you added or modified.

Once you’ve fixed the issue, be extra careful when editing code in the future. Always backup your site before making changes and use staging sites to test new code. This will help prevent similar errors from affecting your site.

10. You are seeing HTTP errors

HTTP errors like 400, 404, 405, 502, and 504 suggest that something is wrong with your site’s setup. Each of these errors signals different issues, but they generally mean there’s a communication problem between the server and your site. These errors can be frustrating for you and your visitors and might get you locked out of WordPress. Luckily, there are ways to fix them.

A 400 error means there’s a bad request since the server can’t understand what it’s being asked due to malformed syntax. A 404 error happens when a page can’t be found, usually because a URL is wrong or the page has been moved. A 405 error indicates that the server does not allow a method used in an HTTP request. Errors like 502 and 504 often relate to server overload or gateway problems.

You can tackle these HTTP errors one by one to improve your site’s performance and ensure a better experience for your users.

Final thoughts

Getting locked out of WordPress can be frustrating, but most issues have simple fixes. Whether it’s due to a forgotten password or a plugin issue, you can follow easy steps to regain access. Understanding what causes these problems is the first step to resolving them effectively.

Before making any changes, always back up your site. This provides a safety net in case anything goes wrong.

We recommend using BlogVault for backups. BlogVault automatically backs up your site and stores it in off-site storage, keeping it safe and accessible at all times. This ensures that your site’s resources aren’t used up during the backup process. Plus, BlogVault offers staging sites, allowing you to test changes in a safe environment without affecting your live site. With features like one-click restores, activity logs, and malware protection, BlogVault is a key tool for maintaining your WordPress site.

FAQs

Why am I locked out of my WordPress site?

There are a few reasons you might be locked out of your WordPress site. It could be because of a forgotten password, too many failed login tries, or issues with plugins like 2FA or CAPTCHA. Sometimes, changing the site URL or losing admin rights can also cause lockouts. Look for any recent changes you’ve made and try password recovery or other solutions to resolve the issue.

How do I regain access to my WordPress site?

To regain access, start by resetting your password using the “Forgot your password?” option. If that doesn’t work, use phpMyAdmin to reset it. Check if plugins like 2FA or CAPTCHA are causing problems and disable them if needed. Also, ensure the site URL is correct and that you retain admin rights. Addressing these areas should help you get back into your site.

How long does WordPress lock you out for?

After too many failed login attempts, WordPress can lock you out for about 15 minutes because it thinks it’s under a brute-force attack. Once the time is up, you can try logging in again. However, if WordPress continues to detect possible attacks, it may keep adding 15-minute locks as long as the attempts persist.