How to WordPress recover admin password quickly and safely

For website administrators, forgetting a WordPress Admin password is a common issue, especially when you haven’t logged in for a long time or manage multiple accounts. If it isn’t resolved quickly, you may lose access to your website, interrupt ongoing work, and affect overall site operations. 

This guide explains how to wordpress recover admin password in a fast and straightforward way so you can regain control of your website with minimal disruption.

Why do you need to recover your WordPress admin password?Link to heading

Recovering your WordPress admin password is essential because the admin account is the highest level of access to your website. Without it, you cannot manage content, install or update plugins, change themes, or adjust important site settings. In short, losing this access means losing control over your website’s core functions.

Another important reason is business continuity. If your website is used for blogging, sales, or marketing, even a short period of being locked out can disrupt operations, reduce user experience, and negatively impact performance or revenue.

Security is also a key factor. If you are unable to access your admin account, you cannot quickly respond to potential threats such as malware, unauthorized changes, or suspicious user activity. This delay can increase the risk of further damage.

4 ways to recover your WordPress admin passwordLink to heading

Reset WordPress admin password via phpMyAdminLink to heading

This is one of the most reliable and direct methods to wordpress recover admin password, especially when you cannot receive password reset emails, SMTP is not configured, or you still have access to your hosting control panel (cPanel).

Step 1: Access phpMyAdmin

Log in to your hosting cPanel and open phpMyAdmin from the database tools section.

Step 2: Select your WordPress database

Inside phpMyAdmin, choose the database used by your WordPress site. If you are unsure, check the wp-config.php file to find the correct database name.

Step 3: Open the wp_users table

Locate and open the wp_users table. Note that the prefix wp_ may be different depending on your hosting or installation settings.

Step 4: Update the admin password

Find your admin user and click “Edit.” In the user_pass field, enter your new password. Then select MD5 from the Function column and save the changes by clicking “Go” or “Save.” After that, return to domain/wp-admin and log in using the new password.

Note: MD5 is only used to register the new password in WordPress. Once you log in, WordPress will automatically re-encrypt it using its default security hashing system. Always choose a strong password to maintain account security.

Reset password via WordPress management in cPanelLink to heading

This method is suitable when your WordPress site is managed directly through cPanel and you prefer not to access or edit the database manually. It is a reliable way to complete a wordpress recover admin password process in a controlled environment.

Step 1: Access WordPress management

Log in to your cPanel account, then navigate to WordPress Management from the dashboard.

Step 2: Select your WordPress website

Choose the website you want to manage, then go to the Users / Admin section.

Step 3: Update the admin password

Inside the site management interface, follow these actions:

• Open the Setup section in the control panel
• Under Administrator, select the correct admin account you want to update
• The Current password field will show the existing password (hidden by default; you may reveal it using the eye icon if needed)
• In New password, enter a new secure password or click Generate to create a strong one automatically
• Verify the Administrator’s email is correct before saving changes
• Save your updates to complete the password reset process

Step 4: Verification

After updating, log back into WordPress to confirm the new password works correctly. If the dashboard functions normally without errors, the reset has been successfully applied.

Note: Always log out and sign back in using the new password to ensure the wordpress recover admin password process has been completed successfully.

Reset WordPress password via SoftaculousLink to heading

This method can be used when your WordPress site is installed and managed through Softaculous in cPanel, especially in situations where you need to wordpress recover admin password efficiently.

Step 1: Access Softaculous Apps Installer

Log in to your hosting cPanel account and open the Softaculous Apps Installer. From the Softaculous dashboard, select WordPress to view all installed WordPress websites.

Step 2: Select your WordPress site and open manage users

In the Installations section, locate the WordPress site where you want to reset the password. Click on Manage Users for that specific installation.

Step 3: Update the WordPress admin password

Inside Manage Users, you will see a list of all WordPress accounts. Find the user with Administrator privileges, then click Change Password. Enter a new secure password following the security requirements, and click Save/Apply to confirm the update.

Use the “lost password” feature in WordPress loginLink to heading

This method is the simplest way to WordPress recover admin password when you cannot access the wp-admin dashboard, but your admin email is still active and functional.

Before proceeding, ensure the following conditions are met:

• Your site is correctly configured to send emails via SMTP; otherwise, password reset emails may not be delivered.
• The admin email account is still accessible and in use.
• The reset email is not filtered into the Spam or Junk folder.

Step 1: Access the WordPress login page

Open your browser and go to your login URL, typically: https://yourdomain.com/wp-admin.

Step 2: Click “Lost your password?”

On the login screen, select the “Lost your password?” link to start the recovery process.

Step 3: Enter your admin email or username

Provide your admin username or email address (for example: admin@yourdomain.com), then click “Get New Password.”

Step 4: Check your email and reset the password

Open your inbox and look for the WordPress password reset email. Click the provided link, create a new secure password, and confirm the change. After that, return to /wp-admin and log in with your new credentials.

>>> Learn more: 2FA vs MFA: Which one offers the highest level of security

ConclusionLink to heading

In summary, forgetting your WordPress admin password is not a serious issue if you handle it correctly. Depending on your specific situation, you can quickly restore access using phpMyAdmin, cPanel, Softaculous, or the “Lost your password?” feature in WordPress. The key is to choose the right method, follow the steps carefully, and set a strong new password to ensure your website remains secure. 

With the guidance provided above, you can successfully wordpress recover admin password and continue managing your website smoothly and reliably.

To enhance security after recovering your password, you should install W7SFW (WordPress Firewall). This is a simple yet effective firewall solution that helps block unauthorized access and common attacks from the start. Its advantages include a quick setup process, an easy-to-use interface, and no requirement for advanced technical knowledge.