How to Reset a WordPress Password from phpMyAdmin

There are times when you might get locked out of your WordPress admin dashboard due to a forgotten password. While the standard method involves using the “Forgot My Password” feature and resetting via email, this can be problematic if you don’t have access to the associated email address.

This is where phpMyAdmin comes in. It is a web-based interface that allows you to manage your WordPress database directly. By accessing it you can modify the password for your admin user and regain access to your website.

In this guide, we will discuss how to reset WordPress password phpMyAdmin and regain access to your website

Getting Started

Here are some important considerations before proceeding to reset a WordPress password from phpMyAdmin:

• Resetting a password through phpMyAdmin requires some technical knowledge sometimes it is mentioned in your hosting plan documentation.
• It is important to back up your database before making any modifications. This ensures you can restore your website in case of any unforeseen issues.

Resetting WordPress Password Using phpMyAdmin

Following are the steps to resolve WordPress forgot password using phpMyAdmin:

1. Access phpMyAdmin:

Log in to your web hosting control panel. In my case, I am using cPanel. Next login cPanel with provided credentials

Locate the section for databases and access phpMyAdmin.

2. Identify Your WordPress Database:

Within phpMyAdmin, you will see a list of databases on the left-hand side.

The name of your WordPress database typically starts with a prefix followed by “wp_” under your database name.

3. Locate the wp_users Table:

Click on your WordPress database name in the left panel. This will display all the tables associated with your website. Look for a database table named wp_users or something similar with a prefix.

4. Edit the User Record:

Click the “Edit” link next to the username whose password you want to reset. This will open a form containing user information.

5. Update the Password Field:

Locate the field named user_pass in the wp_user table. You will see a long encrypted string that is not the actual password. Delete this value and enter your new desired password in the field.

6. Set the Password Encryption Function:

Next to the user_pass field, there’s usually a dropdown menu labeled “Function” or similar. Select MD5 from the dropdown menu. This ensures the password is stored securely using the MD5 hashing algorithm.

7. Save the Changes:

Once you have entered your new password and selected MD5 scroll down and click the “Go” button at the bottom of the form. This will change the WordPress password using phpMyAdmin.

8. Log In to Your WordPress Dashboard:

Now that your password is reset you should be able to log in to your WordPress admin dashboard using your new password.

Additional Notes

Following are the additional notes to the WordPress reset password database using phpMyAdmin:

• Choose a strong and unique password for your WordPress admin account.
• Consider using a password manager to generate and store complex passwords securely.
• Enable two-factor authentication for your WordPress login to add an extra layer of security. This requires a verification code from your phone or another device in addition to your password when logging in.
• Regularly update your WordPress core files, themes, and plugins to address any security vulnerabilities.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can successfully reset your forgotten WordPress password using phpMyAdmin and regain access to your WordPress administration panel. Remember to back up your database first and choose a strong, new password for increased security.

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