Help, I can't log in
Step-by-step help for when you can't access your WordPress dashboard — covering passwords, URLs, and lockouts.
Being locked out of your own WordPress site is stressful. Take a breath — this is one of the most common issues we see, and it is almost always fixable in a few minutes.
Work through the steps below in order. Most people are back in by Step 2.
Quick summary
The most common reasons for being locked out are a wrong login URL, a forgotten password, or a security plugin blocking your access. Try resetting your password first. If that doesn't work, we can get you back in within minutes — contact us any time.
Step 1: Make sure you're at the right login URL
WordPress login pages are not always at the obvious address. Your login URL might look like one of these:
yoursite.com/wp-adminyoursite.com/wp-login.phpyoursite.com/login(some security plugins change it)
Try typing your site address followed by /wp-admin — for example, yoursite.com/wp-admin.
If you see a login form, you're in the right place. If you get a "page not found" error, try /wp-login.php instead.
Still nothing? Your site may have a custom login URL. Check any welcome email you received when the site was set up — it often includes the login link. Or contact us and we'll send it to you.
Step 2: Reset your password
If you see the login form but your password isn't working, reset it.
On the login page, click Lost your password? (it's a small link below the login button).
Enter your email address or username, then click Get New Password.
Check your email inbox — including your spam or junk folder. You'll receive a password reset link. Click it promptly; reset links expire after a short time.
Choose a new password and save it somewhere safe — we recommend a password manager. See using a password manager with us for guidance.
Didn't get the reset email?
Check your spam folder first. If the email still hasn't arrived after five minutes, the site may have an email delivery problem. Contact us — we can reset your password directly.
Step 3: Check for too many failed login attempts
Many WordPress sites have a security feature that temporarily blocks an IP address after too many wrong password guesses — this protects your site from hackers, but it can accidentally lock you out too.
If you see a message like "Too many failed attempts" or "Your IP has been blocked":
Wait 20–30 minutes and try again. Most blocks are temporary.
Try from a different network — for example, switch from your office Wi-Fi to your phone's mobile data. This gives you a different IP address and may bypass the block.
If you're still blocked, contact us. We can whitelist your IP address or lift the block from the security plugin settings.
Step 4: Check if it's a broader site problem
Sometimes what looks like a login problem is actually the site being down entirely.
Try visiting your homepage in a browser. Does it load normally?
If your homepage also shows an error or a white screen, see My WordPress site is down or Fixing the "white screen" error.
Step 5: Try a different browser or device
Browser problems can sometimes prevent the login page from working correctly.
Try a different browser — if you use Chrome, try Safari or Firefox.
Try an incognito/private browsing window in your current browser. This bypasses stored cookies and cached data.
Clear your browser's cookies and cache, then try again. See how to clear your cache.
If it works in a different browser
Your original browser has a stored cookie that's causing a conflict. Clear the cookies for your site in that browser, and you should be able to log in normally again.
What to tell us if you contact support
If none of the above steps work, contact us. To help us fix it quickly, please share:
- The full URL you're trying to log in at
- The exact error message you see (or a screenshot)
- When it last worked
- Anything that changed recently (a new plugin, a team member's access, etc.)
See gathering info for support for a handy checklist.
Common questions
Related guides
- How to reset your WordPress password
- How to find your WordPress login URL
- My WordPress site is down
- Fixing the "white screen" error
- How to clear your cache & hard refresh
- Give us WordPress admin access
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