WordPress Keeps Logging Me Out: 7 Easy Ways to Fix this Error

Managing your WordPress site should be a breeze, but frequent logouts can turn it into a frustrating experience. You log in to make updates or changes, and then leave the browser, expecting to pick up where you left off later. But when you return, you find yourself at the login page again.

Or picture this: you’re in the middle of a critical content update and suddenly, you’re logged out without notice. Important data is lost, and you spend time logging back in only to try and pick up the pieces.

The issue of WordPress keeps logging me out frequently is a common WordPress login issue. It’s disruptive and can really throw a wrench in your workflow each time it occurs, like a door that repeatedly closes just as you try to walk through it.

Fortunately, this is not an unsolvable problem. Often, the culprits are expired cookies, incorrect browser settings, or small misconfigurations. Understanding these causes is key to resolving the issue. With the correct steps, you can identify the problem and fix it, allowing you to stay logged in and work seamlessly.

TL;DR: If your WordPress site keeps logging you out, it might be because of expired cookies, browser settings, or plugin conflicts. Check these areas to fix the problem and stay logged in. But first, back up your site to make sure you have a safety net if anything goes wrong.

1. Scan your site

You might not immediately think of malware when your WordPress keeps logging you out. But sometimes, it can be a serious culprit. Malware might be forcing those logouts to hide its harmful activities, preventing you from managing your site and putting it at risk. To fix this, scan your site for malware and remove anything you find.

If you can’t stay logged into the wp-admin area, use MalCare. Its external dashboard allows you to scan your site from the outside without needing to log into WordPress.

MalCare is beneficial because it quickly scans for malware without slowing your site down. It also has a smart firewall to block attacks and a vulnerability scanner to detect threats early on. Using MalCare keeps your site safe and readily accessible.

2. Delete all cookies

Old or damaged cookies might be the reason you keep getting logged out of your WordPress site. You can fix this by deleting those cookies. After clearing them, log back into your WordPress site. This sets new cookies, which should help stop the logout issue.

Before clearing your cookies, check your theme’s functions.php file. Look to see if there’s any code that resets cookies each time someone visits your site. This might have been added to fix a WordPress login redirect loop problem in the past. If this code is there, it could be causing the logout issue, and removing it might solve the problem.

3. Clear all caches

If you keep getting logged out of your WordPress site, clearing your caches might help. Begin by clearing your browser’s cache and any caching plugins you’re using. If you use a Content Delivery Network (CDN), make sure to clear its cache too. After doing this, try accessing your site again to check if the logout problem is fixed.

It’s also wise to ask your users to clear their browser caches. Sometimes, old cache data can cause conflicts that affect how your site works for different users. By clearing these caches, you ensure everyone sees the latest version of your site.

4. Check browser settings

Your browser settings might be why you’re getting logged out of your WordPress site. If you have disabled cookies in your browser, this could be causing the issue. Make sure your browser allows cookies. It’s best to block only third-party cookies so that important site cookies can still work.

Also, check if any security software on your computer is blocking cookies. This software might stop your site from keeping you logged in. Changing these settings could help fix the logout problem.

5. Check your WordPress site URL settings

If your login session cookies aren’t being saved, it might be because the URL in the cookie doesn’t match your site address. This can cause frequent logouts. To fix this, check the URLs in your wp-admin dashboard.

Go to Settings > General and look for WordPress Address and Site Address. Make sure they both match your correct site URL.

Also, check your site’s wp-config.php file to ensure the URLs are right there too.

Make sure all your site URLs use the same protocol. If you use https, then all URLs should match that. Keeping your URLs consistent helps make your login sessions stable.

6. Disable and re-enable plugins

Some plugins use cookies to authenticate a user’s web session. A web session is the access a user has between logging in and out of your site. If these plugins have setup issues or cookie problems, users might get logged out of your WordPress site.

If you recently added or updated a plugin, it might be conflicting with others on your site. Try deactivating the new or updated plugin to see if it fixes the problem.

If the issue continues, try deactivating all plugins on your site. Then, turn them back on one by one, checking if this resolves the logout issue. This can help you find which plugin is causing the problem. Once you spot the troublesome plugin, you can search for alternatives or address setup issues.

7. Increase cookie expiry time

When you choose the Remember Me option at login, WordPress uses a cookie to keep you logged in for 14 days by default. If your site uses a shorter duration, users might get logged out often.

To prevent this, you can increase the time you stay logged in by extending the authentication cookie’s expiration period.

To do this, add the following code to your theme’s functions.php file:

add_filter('auth_cookie_expiration', function($expirein) {

return 60 * 60 * 24 * 30; // 30 days

});

Keep in mind that longer sessions can be riskier, as they might open up security concerns like cookie stealing attacks. To manage this risk, ensure your site is secure in other areas. We suggest using a security plugin like MalCare to protect your site from threats.

How to prevent the WordPress keeps logging me out issue?

Keeping your WordPress site stable and secure is key to avoiding frequent logout problems. Here are some steps to help reduce the risk of unexpected logouts:

Use a security plugin

A security plugin protects your site from threats that might affect login sessions. WordPress has several good options. But we recommend MalCare for its features like malware detection, one-click cleanup, and a smart firewall. It keeps your site secure, which helps prevent issues like frequent logouts and login redirects.

Take regular backups

Taking regular backups is crucial in case something goes wrong. We recommend using a reliable backup service like BlogVault. With BlogVault, you can restore your site to a previous state, providing a safety net if problems arise.

Perform regular security audits

Conduct regular security audits to spot potential issues before they become problems. During audits, check for vulnerabilities and unusual user activities. This helps maintain the security and integrity of your site.

Install software from legitimate sources

Always install plugins, themes, and other software from trusted sources, like the WordPress plugin repository. Avoid using nulled or unverified third-party software, as it may contain bugs or security risks that can lead to issues like constant logouts. Sticking with reputable sources keeps your site protected.

Test software on staging

Before adding new plugins, themes, or updates, test them on a staging site. This helps identify problems or conflicts without affecting your main site. If you use MalCare, you can create staging sites right from the dashboard. By catching issues early, you can ensure your live site runs smoothly and avoid unexpected logouts.

Final thoughts

Constantly being logged out of your WordPress site can be frustrating. However, you can resolve this by checking a few things. First, scan your site for malware. Then, review your cookies, browser settings, and plugins. Making small adjustments can stop the logouts and improve your site’s usability.

Before making these changes, back up your site with BlogVault. This gives you a safety net in case anything goes wrong. BlogVault takes automatic backups and stores them off-site, so your site remains fast. These backups are encrypted, and you can download them if you want to store them elsewhere.

FAQs

How to fix the WordPress keeps logging me out problem?

If WordPress keeps logging you out, try these steps to fix it. First, make sure your browser allows cookies. Cookies help keep you logged in. Check your WordPress settings to ensure your site URLs are the same and use the same protocol (http or https). Clear your browser cache, and also clear caches if you use any caching plugins or a content delivery network (CDN). Look at your plugins, especially new or updated ones, as they might cause problems. Disable them for a moment to see if it helps. You can also make your login sessions longer by changing the settings in your theme’s functions.php file. Scan your site for malware since it can mess with login sessions. Use a security plugin like MalCare to keep your site safe. Before you start, back up your site with a service like BlogVault to protect your data if anything goes wrong.

How do I stay logged in to WordPress?

To stay logged in to WordPress, check the Remember Me box on the login page. This sets a cookie that keeps you logged in for up to 14 days. Make sure your browser allows cookies and that no security software is blocking them. Keep your WordPress site URLs the same in settings and files to avoid login problems. You can make the cookie last longer by adding a code to your theme’s functions.php file. But before doing this, back up your site with a plugin like BlogVault to protect against any risks.

Why does my WordPress session keep expiring?

Your WordPress session might keep expiring because of inconsistent URL settings. This happens when the WordPress address doesn’t match the site address in your settings or wp-config.php file. It could also be due to your browser settings or security software blocking cookies, which are needed to maintain sessions. Plugin conflicts or short cookie expiration times can also cause this issue. To fix it, make sure URLs are consistent, allow cookies in your browser, check for conflicting plugins, and consider extending the cookie expiration time. Before making these changes, backup your site with BlogVault to have a safety net in case anything goes wrong.