WordPress Basics

How to Login to WordPress Admin

Improve your WordPress security

Understanding WordPress Admin Login is the first step to managing your own website with confidence. If you are new to WordPress, it can be confusing to know which URL to use, what to enter on the login screen, or what to do when your password does not work.

In this guide, you will learn exactly how to find your WordPress login URL, sign in to your dashboard, reset a forgotten password, and use simple security steps so your admin account stays safe while you work.

What You Need Before You Log In to WordPress

  • A working WordPress website installed on a domain or temporary URL.
  • Access to your username or email address and password for your WordPress admin account.
  • A modern web browser such as Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari.
  • Access to the email inbox connected to your WordPress account for password reset links.
  • Optional but helpful access to your web hosting control panel in case of login problems.

Step 1: Find Your WordPress Admin Login URL

Every WordPress site has a standard login URL, but the exact address depends on where WordPress is installed. Start with the most common patterns, then adjust if your site uses a folder or subdomain.

  1. Open your web browser.
  2. In the address bar, type your website domain, for example https://example.com.
  3. Add /wp-admin to the end so it becomes https://example.com/wp-admin, then press Enter.
  4. If the page does not load or redirects, try https://example.com/wp-login.php instead.
  5. If WordPress is installed in a folder, use that path, for example https://example.com/blog/wp-admin.

Type your site URL plus /wp-admin or /wp-login.php into the address bar, then watch for the login form to load.

WordPress admin login screen showing the 'You are now logged out' message, username, and password fields to help you log in.
The WordPress admin login screen with pre-filled username and password fields, ready for site access.

To verify this step, confirm that you see the WordPress logo and a form with Username or Email Address and Password fields. If you land directly in the dashboard, you were already logged in and can continue working.

If your site uses a custom login URL from a security plugin, check with your developer or host or review the How to find your WordPress login url guide for common patterns.

Step 2: Fill In the WordPress Login Form Correctly

Once you have the correct login URL, use your admin credentials to sign in. Typing your username and password carefully prevents lockouts from repeated failed attempts.

  1. On the login screen, click inside the Username or Email Address field.
  2. Type the WordPress username or email address assigned to your admin account.
  3. Click the Password field and enter your password. Use copy and paste only if you know it is correct.
  4. (Optional) Check the Remember Me box if you are using a private computer and want to stay logged in longer.
  5. Click the Log In button below the password field.

Fill in Username or Email Address, enter your Password, optionally tick Remember Me, and then click Log In.

WordPress login page showing 'You are now logged out' message, with username and password fields for admin access.
The standard WordPress admin login screen after a user has successfully logged out, prompting for new credentials.

If the details are correct, you will be redirected to the WordPress dashboard. Look for the left sidebar menu with items such as Posts, Pages, and Settings and the admin bar at the top of the screen to confirm that you are successfully logged in.

If you see an error like “Incorrect username or password,” double-check for extra spaces, Caps Lock, or saved browser autofill that may be outdated.

Step 3: Fix WordPress Admin Login Problems by Resetting Your Password

If you forgot your password or login attempts keep failing, use the built-in password reset feature. This sends a secure link to the email address attached to your account.

  1. On the WordPress login page, click the Lost your password? link below the Log In button.
  2. On the password reset screen, enter your Username or Email Address and click Get New Password.
  3. Open your email inbox and look for a message from WordPress with a subject similar to “Password Reset.”
  4. Click the reset link in the email to open the new password screen.
  5. Enter a strong new password or use the generated one, then click Save or Reset Password.
  6. Return to the login page and sign in using your new password.

Click Lost your password?, submit your username or email, then follow the link from your inbox to set a new password.

WordPress password reset form, showing the input field for username or email and the 'Get New Password' button.
The WordPress password reset form allows users to regain access to their admin dashboard by entering their username or email.

WordPress Login Password Change & Reset Options at a Glance

Method Where You Use It Main Purpose
Change Password from Profile WordPress dashboard » Users » Profile / All Users Safely update your own or another user’s password when you can already log in to the WordPress dashboard.
Reset Forgotten Password by Email WordPress login page » “Lost your password?” link Recover access when you forgot your password but still have access to the email address linked to your WordPress account.
Reset Password in Database (phpMyAdmin) Hosting control panel » phpMyAdmin » wp_users table Emergency method for changing a password directly in the database when email resets fail and you’re locked out of the site.
Change Password with WP-CLI SSH terminal with WP-CLI installed Fast, scriptable password updates for developers or power users managing multiple sites or user accounts from the command line.
Secure Account After Password Change WordPress dashboard » Profile & Security/2FA plugin settings Add two-factor authentication, log out other sessions, and clean up user roles so your new password and login stay secure long term.
If you do not receive the reset email, check your spam or promotions folder. For persistent email delivery issues, follow the Beginner guide to WordPress speed optimization to improve reliability.

After resetting, verify success by logging in and confirming that your dashboard loads without further password errors.

Step 4: Use Your Hosting Panel for Emergency Access

Some web hosting providers include a direct login button that takes you straight into the WordPress admin area. This can be useful if you have trouble remembering the login URL or password.

  1. Log in to your web hosting control panel with your hosting username and password.
  2. Navigate to the section labeled WordPress, My Sites, or Website Manager, depending on your host.
  3. Locate your domain in the list of installed WordPress sites.
  4. Click the option such as Log in, Admin, or WP Admin next to your site.

From your host dashboard, find the WordPress or My Sites section, then click the one-click Log in button to access the dashboard.

To verify this step, confirm that you land directly inside your WordPress dashboard without seeing the normal login form. Update your profile email and password under Users » Profile so you can still use the regular login page later.

Step 5: Keep Your WordPress Admin Login Secure

Once you can log in reliably, protect your account from attackers. Login pages are common targets, but basic security steps reduce the risk dramatically.

  1. Use a strong unique password with at least 12 characters, combining letters, numbers, and symbols.
  2. Install a reputable security plugin, then enable features like login attempt limits and brute-force protection.
  3. Set up two factor authentication (2FA) to require a code from your phone in addition to your password.
  4. Avoid logging in from public or shared computers, or always uncheck Remember Me in those cases.
  5. Log out when finished by opening the top-right user menu and clicking Log Out.

Configure your security plugin to add 2FA and login limits, then sign out and back in once to confirm everything works correctly.

WordPress admin 2FA settings for login security, including options for unavailable 2FA, brute force protection, and access limits.
A screenshot of the WordPress Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) settings, showing options for login availability and brute force protection.
Never reuse your WordPress password on other sites. A password manager makes it much easier to store unique logins for each account you own.

For a deeper walkthrough, follow the full How do i secure my WordPress downloads tutorial or the broader Beginner WordPress security best practices guide guide once you are comfortable logging in.

Conclusion You Are Ready to Go

You now know how to find your WordPress admin URL, enter your credentials correctly, reset a forgotten password, and even use your hosting panel for emergency access. With a few simple security practices, your WordPress Admin Login becomes both easy and safe to use every day.

From here, you can start creating posts, installing plugins, and customizing your site design. When you are ready for the next steps, use guides like How to use ai in WordPress to continue building your skills.

Further Reading on Logins & Security

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the default WordPress admin login URL?

By default, most WordPress installations use https://yourdomain.com/wp-admin or https://yourdomain.com/wp-login.php. If WordPress is installed in a folder, add that folder name, such as /blog/wp-admin. If neither URL works, your site may use a custom login URL set by a security plugin.

Can I change my WordPress admin login URL for security?

Yes. Many security plugins allow you to change the default login slug from /wp-admin or /wp-login.php to something less predictable. Always document the new URL in a safe place and test it in another browser before logging out. Review the How to find your WordPress login url guide before making changes.

How do I log out of WordPress admin safely?

To log out, move your mouse to the top-right corner of the WordPress admin bar where your username or profile picture appears. Click it, then select Log Out from the dropdown. This ends your session and is especially important on shared or public computers so others cannot access your dashboard.

What should I do if the password reset email never arrives?

First, check your spam, junk, and promotions folders. If the email is still missing, your site may have email delivery issues. You can fix this by configuring SMTP using the Beginner guide to WordPress speed optimization. As a backup, your host may be able to help reset your admin password through the database or a one-click admin access tool.

Can I stay logged in to WordPress longer?

Checking the Remember Me box on the login screen keeps you logged in longer on that browser, as long as cookies are preserved. Only use this on trusted personal devices. For more control over session duration, some security plugins include settings that let you adjust how long a user stays logged in before needing to reauthenticate.

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