How to Reset Your Password for WordPress in MySQL

You don't need to stay locked out of your WordPress site.

As much as webmasters try to keep a handle on the administrator password, sometimes you may forget what it is. When this happens in WordPress, you have several recovery options, including manually changing the password in the database. Generally, this is a last resort and should only be done when you no longer have access to the email address associated with your administrator log-in but can still access phpMyAdmin.

Instructions

1. Log-in to phpMyAdmin through your hosting provider's control panel.

2. Open your WordPress installation's database. If you cannot remember which database you used, you can use an FTP program to open the site's wp_config.php file to find the name.

3. Browse through the "wp_users" table. The prefix may be different, depending upon how you set-up your installation. The wp_config.php file can also tell you what the prefix is.

4. Generate a MD5 password. You can do this with a number of free websites, such as the site in the Resources section. Enter the password you want to use in the form and the site will provide a MD5 string.

5. Replace the administrator password. Select "edit" next to the field for the administrative log-in and enter the MD5 string from Step 4 in the "user_pass" field. Save your changes.

6. Log into your WordPress administrative panel using the password that you selected in Step 4, along with the administrative username.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are not familiar with phpMyAdmin or directly editing databases, you should contact your hosting provider for assistance.

Resources

• MiracleSalad: - md5 Hash Generator