WordPress offers several ways to reset an admin password. Use the WordPress admin interface if you still have access, the lost password form if you have your username or email, or the Softaculous panel if you need to bypass the WordPress login altogether.
About password resets
Each method below changes the password for an existing WordPress user. The right one depends on what you can still access:
Situation | Method to use |
|---|---|
You're logged in to WordPress admin. | Reset password in WP-admin |
You know your username or email but can't log in. | Reset password via email |
You can't access WordPress admin or email. | Reset password via Softaculous |
Before you begin
- Access to your Exact Hosting account and cPanel. Required for the WordPress admin and Softaculous methods.
- Your WordPress username or email. Required for the lost-password email method.
Step 1: Open cPanel
- Log into your Exact Hosting account.
- Select the Services icon.
- Click Active next to your hosting service.
- Click Login to cPanel.
Step 2: Reset the password in the WordPress admin
Use this method if you can still log in to WordPress.
- In cPanel, click the WordPress icon under Scripts.
- Click the Admin icon for your installation to open the WordPress admin.
- Go to Users > All Users.
- Click Edit next to the user account.
- Click Set new password, enter the new password, and click Update profile.
Step 3: Reset the password via email
Use this method if you know your WordPress username or the email address on the account.
- Go to yourdomain.com/wp-login.php.
- Click Lost your password?
- Enter your username or email address and click Get new password.
- Check your email and follow the password reset link.
Step 4: Reset the password through Softaculous
Use this method if you can't access WordPress admin or the account email. Softaculous updates the password directly in the database.
- In cPanel, click the WordPress icon under Scripts.
- Click the Pencil icon next to your installation.
- Enter the new password in the admin password field.
- Click Save installation details.
Note: If your installation has only one user, the admin username field can stay blank. If you have multiple users, specify which user you're updating.
Next steps
- Use a strong, unique password. Choose at least 12 characters with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols.
- Enable two-factor authentication. Consider installing a 2FA plugin from WordPress.org for additional protection.
- Back up your site regularly. See WordPress manual backup (Softaculous).
Questions? Contact Exact Hosting Support.
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