How to Reset WordPress Admin Password: Step-by-Step Guide

If you've forgotten your WordPress admin password and can't access your site, don't worry. In this guide, you'll explore different ways to reset your WordPress admin password. By reading through this article, you'll learn how to easily reset your password with various methods and tips for security.

1. Reset WordPress Admin Password via Email

The easiest and most common method to reset your WordPress admin password is through email. Follow these steps to reset your password:

1. Go to the WordPress login page and click on the "Lost your password?" link.
2. Enter your username or email address and click the "Get New Password" button.
3. Open the link sent to your email address and create a new password.
4. Log in to the WordPress admin panel using your new password.

The email password reset method is easy and reliable. However, make sure your email address is up-to-date and accessible.

2. Reset WordPress Admin Password Using phpMyAdmin

phpMyAdmin allows you to reset your password by directly accessing the database. Follow these steps:

1. Access phpMyAdmin through your web hosting control panel.
2. Select the database associated with your WordPress installation.
3. Find and click on the wp_users table.
4. Find the user you want to reset the password for and click the "Edit" link.
5. In the user_pass field, enter the new password in MD5 format and save.
6. Log in to the WordPress admin panel with your new password.

Resetting your password via phpMyAdmin is a more technical method, so proceed with caution. Editing the wrong table can affect your site's functionality.

3. Reset WordPress Admin Password via FTP

You can also reset your password via FTP. This method typically involves modifying a file or using a plugin.

1. Use an FTP client (e.g., FileZilla) to access your site's files.
2. Navigate to your WordPress installation directory and open the functions.php file (located in your theme folder).
3. Add the following code to the bottom of the file:

wp_set_password('YourNewPassword', 1);

1. Save the file and upload it via FTP.
2. Go to the WordPress admin panel and log in with your new password.
3. Open the functions.php file again and delete the code you added.

This method requires FTP access and should be used carefully. Leaving the code in the file can make your site vulnerable.

4. Reset WordPress Admin Password via SSH

You can also reset your password using SSH, which allows you to access your server via the command line. Follow these steps:

1. Use an SSH client (e.g., PuTTY) to connect to your server.
2. Navigate to your WordPress installation directory.
3. Use the following PHP command to reset the password:

php -r "require('wp-load.php'); wp_set_password('YourNewPassword', 1);"

1. Log in to the WordPress admin panel with your new password.

Resetting your password via SSH is a highly technical method and should only be attempted by experienced users.

5. Tips for Creating and Managing Secure Passwords

After resetting your password, it's important to create a strong and secure password. Here are some tips:

• Your password should be at least 12 characters long.
• Use a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
• Avoid using common words or phrases.
• Use a unique password for each account.
• Consider using a password manager to securely store your passwords.

A strong password improves the security of your WordPress site and helps prevent unauthorized access.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What should I do if I don't receive the email during the password reset process?

Answer: Check your spam or junk mail folder. Also, ensure that the correct email address is registered in your WordPress settings.

Question: What happens if I edit the wrong table in phpMyAdmin while resetting my password?

Answer: Editing the wrong table can break your site. Always make sure to back up your database before making any changes.

Question: What should I do if I make an error while resetting the password via FTP or SSH?

Answer: Always back up your files before making changes. If something goes wrong, you can restore from the backup to fix the issue.

Question: Do you recommend any secure password managers?

Answer: Popular and reliable password managers include LastPass, 1Password, and Bitwarden.