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How Do I Reset My WordPress Administrator Password? (4 Proven Methods)

Jim Walker By Jim Walker, The Hack Repair Guy™ Updated Topic: WordPress Troubleshooting & Error Rescue
Quick Answer

If the standard WordPress email password reset fails, you can reset your administrator password directly in the wp_users table using phpMyAdmin (with the MD5 function) or WP-CLI, or temporarily add an account reset snippet to your active theme functions.php file over FTP.

How Do I Reset My WordPress Administrator Password? (4 Proven Methods)
Locked out of your dashboard or lost touch with a former developer? Here are 4 ways to reset your administrator password via email, functions.php, emergency script, or phpMyAdmin.

You've lost your WordPress administrator password, or worse, your web designer has flown the coup and you can't log into your WordPress dashboard?

How annoying is that!

It's really not that hard to reset your password. I'll explain with few easy examples below.

1. Click "Lost Your Password?"

I know, easy right?

Well, it is possible you are no longer set as the administrator, but click away. Enter every email address you believe you may have used into the Lost Your Password? box and submit. If all goes well you should receive a password reset link within seconds.

2. Use the password hack provided by WordPress

See this unnecessarily wordy page for details (Geez. Know your audience much!):

Using the Emergency Password Reset Script

Or, just Download this file (right click, File->Save Link As), rename to emergency.php, then upload to your website.Enter in browser http://your_domain.com/emergency.php

Just remember to delete the file after use. Doh!

3. Edit your WordPress theme's functions.php script

See the HackRepair.com how-to on "How to add a new WordPress user without logging into WordPress"

4. Use PhpMyAdmin to change your password

Ok, one day I'll do one of these myself. Until then, check this guys well done "how to change your WordPress password with PhpMyAdmin video":

http://www.youtube.com/v/eF2MHeYcZhc

Enjoy! Need to give a user admin rights instead? See how to change a WordPress user from Subscriber to Administrator in phpMyAdmin.

Jim Walker

The Hack Repair Guy

Frequently asked questions

What is the fastest way to fix or prevent this issue on my WordPress site?
If the standard WordPress email password reset fails, you can reset your administrator password directly in the wp_users table using phpMyAdmin (with the MD5 function) or WP-CLI, or temporarily add an account reset snippet to your active theme functions.php file over FTP.
Can HackGuard.com handle troubleshooting & php for my WordPress site?
Yes. For $14.95/month (or $49.85/month for up to 10 sites), Jim Walker and the HackGuard team perform a 9-point manual security and database overhaul in Week 1, test all core and plugin updates weekly by hand, maintain 60-day offsite cloud backups, and back your site with a free HackRepair.com cleanup guarantee. Call Jim directly at (619) 479-6637.
Jim Walker, The Hack Repair Guy

Written and reviewed by Jim Walker, The Hack Repair Guy™

Jim Walker has protected and repaired WordPress websites since 1998. Want Jim to handle your WordPress security, weekly updates, and 60-day offsite cloud backups for 50 cents a day?

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