For security reasons, it’s important to know how to reset or change the admin password in WordPress. Whether you’ve forgotten the password or simply want to update it, this guide will walk you through the steps to reset or change the admin password and regain access to your WordPress website’s admin area.
Table of Contents
1. Resetting via Email
If you’ve forgotten your admin password, WordPress allows you to reset it via email:
- Visit the Login Page: Go to the WordPress login page (usually located at yoursite.com/wp-login.php).
- Click “Lost your password?”: Below the login form, click the “Lost your password?” link.
- Enter Your Username or Email: Provide your WordPress username or the email associated with the admin account.
- Check Your Email: WordPress will send a password reset link to your email.
- Reset Your Password: Follow the link in the email and create a new password for your admin account.
2. Resetting via Database (phpMyAdmin)
If you can’t use the email method, you can reset the admin password directly in the database using phpMyAdmin:
- Login to phpMyAdmin: Access your hosting control panel, find phpMyAdmin, and log in.
- Select Your WordPress Database: Choose the database associated with your WordPress site.
- Navigate to the “wp_users” Table: Find the table with the “wp_users” name or a similar prefix.
- Edit the Admin User: Locate the admin user (usually ID 1) and click “Edit” or “Browse.”
- Update the Password: Find the “user_pass” field, choose “MD5” from the function drop-down, and enter the new password in the Value field (make sure to select “MD5”).
- Save Changes: Save the changes you made to the admin user’s password.
3. Changing via WordPress Dashboard
If you want to change the admin password from within the WordPress dashboard:
- Login to WordPress: Log in to the WordPress admin dashboard using your current password.
- Change Password: Go to “Users” > “Your Profile” and scroll down to the “Account Management” section.
- Enter New Password: Enter your new password twice to confirm it.
- Update Profile: Scroll down and click “Update Profile” to save the new password.
By following these steps, you’ll be able to reset or change the admin password on your WordPress website, ensuring the security and access control of your admin account.