How to fix WordPress login redirect loop

Problem

When trying to log into a WordPress website, using the wp-login / wp-admin page – the page redirects back to the login page after entering in the username and password.

No error message is displayed – the username and password is correct.

Solution

Test 1 – can you login using another browser?

To help you understand the cause of the issue – open another browser (or a new ‘private’ window) and try to login.

If you can login – the issue is not with the website. Most likely a bad ‘cookie’ or browser addon.

If you can’t login – the issue is likely with the website. Most likely bad code in a plugin or the active theme.

Method 1 – Clear page cookies

Note: these instructions are for Firefox and will differ for other browsers.

1. With the page open, press F12 on your keyboard
2. The debug / developer tools will open at the bottom of the window
3. Open the ‘Storage’ tab
4. In the left hand, expand ‘Cookies’
5. Right-click on the website’s name and click ‘Delete All’

Method 2 – Delete all browser cookies

Note: these instructions are for Firefox and will differ for other browsers.

1. With the page open, press Ctrl + Shift + Delete on your keyboard
2. For ‘Time range to clear’ select ‘Everything’
3. Tick ‘Cookies’ and ‘Cache’ – you can leave other options un-ticked
4. Click ‘Clear now’
5. 

Method 3 – Try temporarily disabling all plugins

1. Access the website server using your preferred method – for example FTP or cPanel
2. Browse to the /wp-content/ directory
3. Rename the /wp-content/plugins/ directory – for example to plugins_backup
4. Try to login again – if you can now login the issue is with one of your plugins
5. Change the directory name back to plugins

How do I find out which plugin has the problem?

You will need to repeat the process for each of the plugins.

1. Oopen the /wp-content/plugins/ directory
2. For each of the plugins, temporary rename (e.g. add _backup)
3. Try to login again – if you can now login the issue is with that plugin
4. Change the directory name back if it is not causing the issue

Method 4 – Try temporarily disable your active theme

1. Access the website server using your preferred method – for example FTP or cPanel
2. Browse to the /wp-content/themes directory
3. Rename the directory for your active theme – for example to my_awesome_theme_backup
4. Try to login again – if you can now login the issue is with your active theme

Method 5 – Specify site URL

1. Access the website server using your preferred method – for example FTP or cPanel
2. Browse to the root directory for your WordPress installation
3. Edit the wp-config.php file
4. At the top of the file, just after <?php add the following lines
5. Don’t forget to use the address for YOUR website

6. define('WP_HOME','https://www.wpdevguides.com');
   
   define('WP_SITEURL','https://www.wpdevguides.com');

7. 

Method 6 – Rename .htaccess configuration file

Note: these instructions only apply to Apache hosted websites. NOT nginx.

1. Access the website server using your preferred method – for example FTP or cPanel
2. Browse to the root directory for your WordPress installation
3. Rename the .htaccess file – for example to .htaccess_backup
4. Try to login again – if you can now login the issue is in your .htaccess configuration
5. Now you are logged in – you can generate a new .htaccess file by going to Settings > Permalinks and clicking ‘Save’
6. If you are still not able to login – change the file name back to .htaccess