How to reset your WordPress password
How to recover access to your WordPress site when you've forgotten your password, using the built-in reset tool.
Forgetting your WordPress password happens to everyone. The good news: WordPress has a built-in password reset tool that works quickly, as long as you can access the email address on your account.
Quick summary
Go to your WordPress login page, click Lost your password?, enter your username or email, and check your email for a reset link. Click the link, choose a new password, and log in. The whole process takes about 2–3 minutes.
What you'll need
- Access to the email address linked to your WordPress account
- Your WordPress login URL (see how to find your WordPress login URL if you're unsure)
If you don't have access to that email address, scroll down to the section on what to do when you can't access your email.
How to reset your password
Go to your WordPress login page. This is usually at yoursite.com/wp-admin. For help finding it, see how to find your WordPress login URL.
Click "Lost your password?" This link appears below the Log In button on the login screen.
Enter your username or email address. Type either one into the field — WordPress accepts both. Then click Get New Password.
Check your email inbox. WordPress will send a password reset email within a few minutes. The subject line is usually something like "Password Reset" or "[Your Site Name] Password Reset." Check your spam folder if you don't see it.
Click the link in the email. The email contains a unique reset link. Click it — this link is only valid for a short time (usually 24 hours), so don't wait too long.
Choose a new password. WordPress suggests a strong password automatically. You can use the suggested one or type your own. A strong password is at least 12 characters and mixes letters, numbers, and symbols.
Click "Reset Password." WordPress saves your new password and logs you in.
Done
Once you see "Your password has been reset," you can log in with your new password. Go to your login page, enter your details, and you're back in.
If you don't receive the reset email
If the email doesn't arrive within 5 minutes:
- Check your spam or junk folder. Password reset emails are sometimes filtered.
- Check you entered the right email. The email must match the address on your WordPress account exactly.
- Check you're looking in the right inbox. You may have multiple email addresses — make sure you're checking the one registered with WordPress.
- Try again. Go back to the login page and request another reset link.
If none of these work, see help, I can't log in or contact us.
If you can't access the email address on your account
This is more complicated. If the email address on your account is one you no longer have access to, you won't be able to use the standard reset process.
Options:
- If another Administrator user can access the site, they can log in and change your email address or reset your password from inside the WordPress dashboard under Users.
- If Chykalophia manages your site, contact us — we can assist.
- As a last resort, a developer can reset a password directly via the hosting control panel or database. Contact us if this is needed.
Easy to miss
Reset links expire quickly — usually within 24 hours. If you click an expired link, just request a new one from the login page.
Choosing a strong new password
When you set your new password, make it strong. A strong password:
- Is at least 12 characters long
- Mixes uppercase and lowercase letters
- Includes numbers and symbols (like
!,@,#,%) - Is not a word from the dictionary
- Is unique to WordPress — don't reuse a password from another account
WordPress's suggested passwords are strong and random. We recommend using one and saving it in a password manager. See using a password manager with us.
Common questions
Related guides
- How to log in to WordPress
- How to find your WordPress login URL
- Help, I can't log in
- WordPress user roles explained
- Using a password manager with us
Need a hand?