Question 1

What causes the "Invalid Username" error in WordPress?

Accepted Answer

What causes the "Invalid Username" error in WordPress?

The "Invalid Username" error usually appears for two reasons - either you've made a minor typo in your username or there is an issue with capitalization. For example, your username might be JohnDoe88 but you accidentally enter johndoe88 or JOHNDOE88. The system does not recognize these variations, hence the error.

To fix it, simply re-enter your username correctly, being mindful of any typos and proper capitalization of letters. If you're certain the username is right, there could be a problem connecting to the server, in which case you'll need assistance from your hosting provider.

Question 2

I'm entering the correct password but WordPress says it's wrong. Why?

Accepted Answer

I'm entering the correct password but WordPress says it's wrong. Why?

Some common reasons you could be getting the "Incorrect Password" error even with the right password include:

You inadvertently fat-fingered or transposed digits or symbols when typing in your password. Human error can easily occur, so double check that you're entering the exact password.

Your web host recently changed or reset the password without notifying you. Check with your host to see if they have recently modified credentials.

The password requirements have changed without your knowledge, e.g. they now mandate a 14 character password instead of 8 characters. Your old password would then appear incorrect.

Question 3

Why does my WordPress login say my account doesn't exist?

Accepted Answer

Why does my WordPress login say my account doesn't exist?

The dreaded "Account Does Not Exist" error generally indicates one of two things - either you've typed your username wrong or your account has been deleted.

In rare cases, it could mean the database storing your account info is not connecting properly, or your user role was changed from the expected ones like admin/editor to something non-standard.

First, verify you're entering the proper username. If it is correct but the error persists, contact your web host as they will need to investigate and restore access to your account.

Question 4

How do I get back into WordPress after too many login attempts?

Accepted Answer

How do I get back into WordPress after too many login attempts?

The "Too Many Failed Login Attempts" error is a security measure WordPress implements if there are 5 failed logins within 15 minutes from the same IP address. It locks users out temporarily as a precaution against brute force login attacks.

As frustrating as it can be, take it as reassurance that your site security is working properly. The easiest solution is to simply wait it out patiently for 15 to 60 minutes until WordPress lifts the automatic restriction. Avoid repeatedly trying to log in during the lockout period.

Question 5

Why am I suddenly getting a cookies blocked error when logging into WordPress?

Accepted Answer

Why am I suddenly getting a cookies blocked error when logging into WordPress?

This rather vague error indicates that the privacy settings, permissions, or configuration for cookies in your browser are preventing the login cookies WordPress needs from being set properly.

Try adjusting your browser's cookie settings to allow cookies from your site's domain. Using a different browser or an incognito browsing mode can also help isolate the cookie issue.

If browser tweaks don't resolve it, a problematic plugin could be interfering with cookies, requiring your host to step in and disable plugins or modify server settings.

Question 6

How do I troubleshoot the generic "Error on login" message in WordPress?

Accepted Answer

How do I troubleshoot the generic "Error on login" message in WordPress?

That unhelpfully ambiguous error could stem from multiple causes - incorrect password, disabled account, server misconfiguration, etc. Try these troubleshooting tips:

Log in from another browser or device to rule out software and caching issues.
Use a private browsing window where cache and cookies won't interfere.
Reset your password even if you think it's right, just to rule it out.
Have your host confirm your account is active and server settings are correct.
Temporarily deactivate plugins to identify any conflicts.

Question 7

What causes the white screen of death on the WordPress login page?

Accepted Answer

What causes the white screen of death on the WordPress login page?

That dreaded white blank screen on login rears its head when there are PHP errors preventing the page from fully loading. Causes can range from faulty plugins, inactive themes, or server configuration issues.

To resolve it, rename your plugins folder via FTP/cPanel to deactivate all plugins at once. Switch to a default theme. Have your host confirm PHP and server settings. Reactivating themes/plugins one by one can help pinpoint the conflict.

Question 8

Why can't I log into my child theme's admin area in WordPress?

Accepted Answer

Why can't I log into my child theme's admin area in WordPress?

This is a relatively common issue that occurs when you have a parent theme activated but are trying to log into the child theme's separate login page. The child theme simply doesn't have its own admin/login access.

The fix is to log in via the parent theme's login URL, which will grant you access to edit the child theme's files and settings. Consider adding a notice on the child login page guiding users to the parent URL.

Question 9

How do I regain access to WordPress after being hacked?

Accepted Answer

How do I regain access to WordPress after being hacked?

Being hacked and blocked out is every site owner's nightmare. First take a breath - your site is still salvageable. Your hosting provider can reset your password to restore access. Scan for malware injections in files. Remove any suspicious code. And most importantly, close the security hole that allowed the attack, which might mean switching web hosts or hardening WordPress security settings.

Question 10

Why do I only see the WordPress logo and can't access the login page?

Accepted Answer

Why do I only see the WordPress logo and can't access the login page?

If you see only the WordPress logo andwp-login.php page won't load even with the correct URL, there are typically permissions issues at play. Your hosting provider will need to check folder/file permissions and ownership settings on the server. Restrictive file permissions could be blocking access to critical WordPress system files and templates.

Troubleshooting

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The Mysterious Case of Disappearing Content: Troubleshooting Sudden Losses

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Additional Resources

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