How to Reset WordPress Admin Password from cPanel

Forgetting a WordPress administrator password is frustrating, but it does not necessarily mean that you have lost access to your website permanently.

If you have access to your hosting account and cPanel, there are several ways to recover or reset WordPress administrator access.

The safest method depends on what access you still have.

Try the Normal WordPress Reset First

If the WordPress login page is working, start with the normal password reset process.

Use the "Lost your password?" option.

WordPress can send a password reset message to the administrator email address.

This is the easiest method.

What If You Cannot Receive the Email?

You may need to use your hosting account.

If you have access to cPanel, you may be able to manage the WordPress database through a database management tool.

Before making database changes, create a backup.

Find the WordPress Database

WordPress stores administrator information in its database.

The database name is normally defined in the WordPress configuration file.

Open the File Manager and locate the WordPress configuration file.

Look for the database name and username.

Do not publish or share this file because it contains sensitive information.

Open Database Management

Your hosting environment may provide a database management interface.

Select the database used by WordPress.

Be careful because a single hosting account can contain multiple databases.

Selecting the wrong database can lead to incorrect changes.

Find the Users Table

WordPress stores users in a users table.

The exact table prefix can vary.

Do not assume that the table will always have the same name.

Open the table that corresponds to your WordPress installation.

Identify the Administrator Account

Find the user account you need to recover.

Check:

• Username
• Email address
• User ID

Make sure you are editing the correct account.

Reset the Password Carefully

Database interfaces may allow you to change the password value.

WordPress passwords are stored in a secure format rather than as plain text.

Use the database interface's supported password handling rather than storing a normal password as plain text.

If you are not comfortable editing database records, use the standard WordPress reset process or ask an experienced administrator for help.

Alternative: Create a Temporary Administrator

In some recovery situations, an administrator may create a temporary account using the database or a controlled recovery method.

If you use a temporary account, remove it immediately after access has been restored.

Never leave unnecessary administrator accounts active.

Check Your Email Address

Once you regain access, verify that the administrator email address is correct.

The email account should be accessible and protected.

Change Other Passwords

If you lost access because you suspect someone changed your password, do more than simply reset the WordPress password.

Review:

• WordPress users
• Hosting account
• Email account
• FTP/SFTP users
• Database users
• API keys
• Application passwords

An unexpected password change may indicate a security incident.

Enable Multi-Factor Authentication

After recovery, consider enabling multi-factor authentication for administrator accounts where supported.

MFA adds another security layer beyond the password.

Use Strong Passwords

A WordPress administrator password should be:

• Long
• Unique
• Difficult to guess
• Not reused elsewhere

Do not use your domain name or business name as the password.

Protect cPanel Too

Your WordPress password is only one part of the security chain.

If an attacker gets access to cPanel, they may be able to modify WordPress files or databases.

Protect your hosting account with a strong password and available additional security controls.

Final Thoughts

If you have forgotten your WordPress password, start with the normal reset process.

If that is not possible and you have cPanel access, database-level recovery may be an option.

Always create a backup before changing database information and remove temporary accounts after recovery.

THE HOSTGURU cPanel hosting customers can use the available hosting management tools to manage their website environment and troubleshoot access issues.

Frequently Asked Questions