Unable to Sign in to WordPress?

If you cannot reach your WordPress dashboard or do not receive a password reset email, you might have to take extra measures to regain access.

To modify, remove, reset, or add a user in WordPress by yourself, identify the relevant situation from the options below and follow the corresponding instructions.

Update WordPress Password

You can change your WordPress password in a few different ways. Usually, this can be done directly from your WordPress dashboard. However, if you’re unable to get into your WordPress dashboard, there are other options available too.

To learn more about these alternatives, follow the Hosting Column post Different Methods of Changing WordPress Password.

Update Email Address, Create or Delete a user

Instead of changing the password, you have the option to change a user’s email address, allowing them to get a password reset email. Additionally, it is possible to create a new Admin user.

1. Change an email address for another WordPress user

As a WordPress admin, you have the ability to modify another user’s email address. This is useful in situations where they are unable to access WordPress or are not receiving the email for password recovery.

Note: These instructions are based on the premise that you can access the system as an admin user in WordPress.

Log in to WordPress
Click the Users link on the Admin toolbar
Click on the user you want to update
In the Contact info section, change the email address
Scroll to the bottom of the page and click Update Profile

2. Delete a WordPress user

As an administrator of WordPress, you have the ability to delete user accounts from your website.

Log in to WordPress.
Click the Users link on the Admin toolbar.
Place a check in the box next to the user you want to delete.
From the Bulk Actions drop-down menu, select Delete.
Click the Apply button.

3. Change a WordPress email address in the database

You have the option to change your WordPress email address directly in the database, which can assist you if you’re not getting the email to reset your password.

Log into phpMyAdmin.

Note: If you’re using cPanel Hosting, you must select the database for your WordPress site in the left-hand column before proceeding to the next step.

Click on the _users table.
Click Edit next to the user you want to update.
In the Value column, delete the contents of the user_email box.
Type your new email address into the same box.
Click Go

4. Create an admin user in the WordPress database

It’s possible to add a new WordPress admin user directly through the database. Use this approach if your original admin account has been compromised or removed.

Log into phpMyAdmin.

Note: If you’re using cPanel Hosting, you must select the database for your WordPress site in the left column before continuing to the next step.

In the left menu, select the wp_users table.
Select Insert.
Enter the following:

Field	What it is…
ID	Any number that isn’t already used by another user
user_login	Username for accessing the WordPress dashboard
user_pass	Password for this user Note: Make sure to select MD5 in the functions menu.
user_nicename	The nickname for this user
user_email	Email address for this user
user_registered	Date and time this user was registered
user_status	Set this to 0
display_name	Name that will display for this user

Select Go.
Select the wp_usermeta table.
Select Insert.
Enter the following

Field	What it is…
user_id	Enter the ID from step 4
meta_key	Enter wp_capabilities Note: For Managed WordPress accounts or custom database table prefixes, include the prefix (e.g. wp_coolPrefix_capabilities).
meta_value	Enter the following:a:1:{s:13:”administrator”;s:1:”1″;}

Select Go.
Select the Insert tab again.
Enter the following

Field	What it is…
user_id	Enter the ID from step 4
meta_key	Enter wp_user_level Note: For Managed WordPress accounts or custom database table prefixes, include the prefix (e.g. wp_coolPrefix_user_level).
meta_value	Enter the number 10