It is very frustrating if one forgets their WordPress password, especially when the website is a key business or personal project. Luckily, via cPanel access, resetting your password to regain control to your WordPress site is quite simple. Here, we will outline the steps to fix a lost or forgotten WordPress password with cPanel. Follow this guide, and you’ll quickly get back to managing your WordPress website.
WordPress Password Reset via cPanel
Follow these simple steps to reset your password and regain access to your WordPress dashboard.
Step 1: Log in to Your cPanel Account
First, you need to access your cPanel account. You can usually do this by typing yourdomain.com/cpanel into your web browser and entering your username and password.
If you’re unsure of your cPanel credentials, contact your web hosting provider for assistance.
Step 2: Access the phpMyAdmin Tool
Once you’re logged into cPanel, scroll down to the ″Databases″ section and click on ″phpMyAdmin.″ This tool allows you to manage your WordPress database directly.
Step 3: Select the Correct Database
In phpMyAdmin, you’ll see a list of databases on the left-hand side. Find and click on the database associated with your WordPress site.
If you have multiple databases and aren’t sure which one is for your WordPress site, you can check the ″wp-config.php″ file in your WordPress root directory for the database name.
Step 4: Locate the Users Table
After selecting the database, look for the table named wp_users in the list of tables. The prefix wp_ might be different if you customized it during WordPress installation.
Click on the wp_users table to open it.
Step 5: Edit the User Password
In the wp_users table, find the user whose password you want to reset. Click on the ″Edit″ link next to the username to open the editing interface.
Step 6: Change the Password
In the editing interface, look for the user_pass field. This field stores the password for the user, but it’s encrypted. To set a new password:
- Enter your new password in the
user_passfield. - From the Function dropdown menu next to the
user_passfield, select MD5. (Note: Using MD5 for password hashing is outdated and less secure, but WordPress will re-hash it with a more secure algorithm on the next login.)
Click ″Go″ to save your changes.
Step 7: Test the New Password
Once you’ve updated the password, go to your WordPress login page (yourdomain.com/wp-admin) and log in using your new password. If everything was done correctly, you should be able to access your dashboard.
Tips for Better Password Management
- Use a Password Manager – Tools like LastPass or 1Password can help you create and store strong, unique passwords for each of your accounts.
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) – Adding an extra layer of security can prevent unauthorized access even if someone gets hold of your password.
- Regular Backups – Regularly back up your WordPress site, including your database, to prevent data loss in case of issues.
Conclusion
Forgetting your password for WordPress can be a disaster, but with cPanel, you can quickly get back in control. Hopefully, following the above steps to fix a lost or forgotten WordPress password with cPanel will get you back in your dashboard in no time. Remember to use good practices for security to keep from having these issues and make your website secure.
Comment below if you have questions. You may also check our blog about setting up custom error pages in cPanel if you found this post informative.
