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Troubleshooting

I can't get into WordPress admin

Does wp-admin show a white screen, keep sending you back to the login, or have you forgotten the password? Here's how to get back in without losing content.

3 min readUpdated

On this page
  1. White screen or error at login
  2. Login loop: you're sent back to the login
  3. Forgotten password
  4. If nothing works
  5. Frequently asked questions
  6. Is the WordPress login the same as my Sitewig login?
  7. Do I lose content when I rename the plugin folder?
  8. Why do I get "too many login attempts"?

If you can't get into WordPress's control panel, it's typically one of three things: a white screen (a plugin or theme is failing), a login loop (WordPress doesn't know its own address correctly) or a forgotten password. Find the one that fits and follow the route.

Three routes: white screen, login loop and forgotten password, each with its solution
Find your symptom and follow the route

White screen or error at login

  1. Step 1: Turn off all plugins

    Open the files and rename the folder public/wp-content/plugins to e.g. plugins-slaaet-fra. Try signing in again.

  2. Step 2: Find the plugin that is failing

    If you get in, give the folder its old name back. Go to Plugins in WordPress and activate them one at a time until the error returns. The last one you activated is the culprit.

  3. Step 3: Try a default theme

    If plugins didn't help, rename the folder for your theme under public/wp-content/themes. WordPress switches to a default theme if one is installed.

Login loop: you're sent back to the login

  1. Step 1: Clear cookies

    Clear cookies for your domain, or try in a private window. Old cookies from before a switch to https:// are a classic cause.

  2. Step 2: Check WordPress's address

    WordPress stores its address in two places: siteurl and home in the wp_options table in the database. Open the database from Web hosting → Databases in Database tool (see Open and manage your database) and check that both read e.g. https://ditfirma.dk, with the same https and the same www or without it.

  3. Step 3: Check cache and security plugins

    A cache or security plugin can also cause a loop. Temporarily rename its folder under wp-content/plugins.

Forgotten password

Click Lost your password? on the login page. WordPress sends a link to the administrator's email address. If the email doesn't arrive, follow Change the password or email for the WordPress administrator.

If nothing works

  • Restore the site from a backup from before the problem under Web hosting → Backup, choosing Alongside (safe – nothing is overwritten) first.
  • If you suspect hacking (unknown administrators, strange redirects), run a Malware scan under Security and read Cleaning up after a hack. Malware scan requires Pro.
  • Write to support with the address of the site and what you've tried.

Frequently asked questions

Is the WordPress login the same as my Sitewig login?

No. Sitewig's control panel and WordPress each have their own login, and Sitewig doesn't store your WordPress password.

Do I lose content when I rename the plugin folder?

No. Settings and content are in the database. You just need to activate the plugins again afterwards.

Why do I get "too many login attempts"?

A security plugin has temporarily locked logins from your IP address. Wait for the time the plugin states, or rename the plugin's folder.

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