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WordPress login not working: what to check

Your site is up, but you can't get into the dashboard? What happens after you submit your password points to the cause. It's usually the password, cookies, a wrong site address or a plugin. Before you change anything over FTP or in the database, make a backup.

By symptom

• Password rejected: use "Lost your password?". If the email never arrives, your site may not be able to send mail. You can then set a new password in phpMyAdmin at your host: table wp_users, column user_pass, function MD5. The table prefix may differ.
• The page just reloads, with no error: clear the site's cookies or try a private window. If that doesn't help, check siteurl and home in the wp_options table. After moving to https or changing domain, the old address often stays there.
• The login page shows 404 or 403: a security plugin may have moved the address, or your host's firewall may be blocking it. Rename that plugin's folder in wp-content/plugins over FTP, which switches it off.
• Too many attempts: wait for the lockout to expire, or switch off the plugin that limits attempts the same way.
• White screen or critical error after login: a plugin or theme is probably crashing. Rename wp-content/plugins to plugins-off, and once you're in, restore the name and turn plugins on one at a time. Your host's error log shows the exact cause.

When to be suspicious

Your password stopped working without you changing it, there's an unknown administrator among the users, or the account email changed? The site may have been hacked. Change all passwords and have the site checked. Getting back in isn't enough.

Still stuck? I can do the WordPress repair for you, and the initial diagnosis is free.