How to Fix the WordPress Login Redirect Loop [4 Easy Fixes]

Are you stuck in a loop and can’t log into your own WordPress site? You are not alone.

This WordPress login redirect loop is a fairly common issue where you are repeatedly redirected to the home page instead of the login page, trapping you in a continuous loop. There can be several reasons why this issue occurs. This article will help you explore them.

Furthermore, we will also provide four tips on how to fix this problem effortlessly.

Without further ado, let’s jump right in.

Why Does the WordPress Login Redirect Loop Happen?

As discussed earlier, there can be several reasons for this infamous issue. The following can be the reasons:

• Corrupted Cookies or Cache: When you land on a website, the browser stores cookies to help with personalization. Some websites also use cookies to allow you to log in without a password. If your browser’s cookies or cache are corrupted, it may prevent proper authentication, causing a redirect loop.
• Incorrect URL Settings: If the WordPress Address (URL) or Site Address (URL) settings in the dashboard are misconfigured, the site might not redirect you to the correct login location.
• Conflicting Plugins or Themes: Some plugins or themes can conflict with WordPress’s login functionality, leading to redirect issues such as loop redirection. Security plugins or all those related to redirection can be the culprit.
• Corrupt .htaccess File: One of the most important files of WordPress, the .htaccess file, handles redirects and permalinks for WordPress. If this file becomes corrupted or contains conflicting rules, it can trigger a login redirect loop.
• Server Configuration Issues: Incorrect server settings, such as those related to PHP sessions or permissions, can interfere with the WordPress login process, causing redirection issues.
• WordPress Core or Database Issues: Corrupted core files or database errors can disrupt login authentication, which can result in a redirect loop.

💡 Also Read: How to Fix WordPress Login Not Secure: Easy Fix [2024]

04 Solutions To Fix WordPress Login Redirect Loop

Now that you know the causes, here is what you can do to get rid of this annoying problem and get back to your WordPress as soon as possible.

#1: Clear Cookies

Clearing cookies is one of the simplest and most effective solutions to resolve the WordPress login redirect loop. Cookies are small files stored in your browser to manage session data, such as login credentials. If these cookies become corrupted or outdated, they can interfere with the authentication process, causing the redirect loop.

Follow these steps to clear your cookies and potentially fix the issue:

• For Google Chrome:
  • Open your browser and click the three dots in the top-right corner.
  • Navigate to Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data.
  • Click on See all site data and permissions, and use the search bar to locate your WordPress site.
  • Click the trash bin icon next to the site to clear its cookies.
• For Mozilla Firefox:
  • Click the three lines in the top-right corner and select Settings.
  • Go to Privacy & Security >> Cookies and Site Data >> Manage Data.
  • Search for your WordPress site and remove its cookies.

Alternatively, you can clear all cookies using CTRL + Shift + Delete on Google Chrome.

⚠️ This will remove cookies for all websites. You can do that manually if you want to clear your WordPress site only. 

After clearing the cookies, close and restart your browser. That will enforce the change right away.

Afterward, return to your WordPress login page, enter your credentials, and try logging in again. Clearing cookies should have resolved any issues related to session authentication.

If clearing cookies doesn’t resolve the issue, consider clearing your browser’s cache or exploring other solutions in the list.

#2: Restore the .htaccess File.

The .htaccess file in WordPress plays a vital role in managing server configurations, redirects, and permalink structures. Corruption of this file can also cause issues like the login redirect loop. 

To locate and restore the .htaccess file, you’ll need access to your website’s files. You can do this using:

• cPanel File Manager: Available through your web hosting control panel.
• FTP Client: Tools like FileZilla allow you to connect to your server using FTP credentials provided by your host.

Once you enter the root directory of your WordPress, search for the .htaccess file, which is typically somewhere where important files like wp-config.php and wp-content are stored.

💡 Sometimes, the file might be hidden. If you can’t find it, try enabling the “show hidden files” in your file manager or FTP client. 

Once found, create a backup of the file. You can download it on your own computer. Just in case something goes wrong. Afterward, you can simply delete it. 

Since WordPress can not function without such a file, the CMS will be forced to create a new .htaccess file. After deleting the file, try logging in again. 

If that resolves your issue, it was likely due to a corrupted or misconfigured .htaccess file.

The .htaccess file handles important rules for WordPress functionality, including login authentication. If these rules need to be added or corrected, it can disrupt the login process. Therefore, this step can help you re-enter your WordPress.

#3: Disable Plugins and Themes 

Plugins and themes can sometimes conflict with WordPress core functionality, causing issues like the login redirect loop. Here’s how you can disable the plugins and themes.

Since you might not be able to access the WordPress admin panel due to the redirect loop, you’ll need to disable plugins and themes manually. To do so: 

• Navigate to the wp-content folder in your WordPress installation directory.
• Locate the plugins folder.
• Rename the folder to something else like plugins-disabled. 

This will make the plugin’s folder unreadable, causing it to misread and not load any plugin. Eventually, helping you resolve the redirection loop.

Alternatively, you can also disable individual plugins that you think can be the culprit. The process is similar. 

Open the folder and rename the plugin that you want to deactivate. 

Similarly, themes can conflict as well. Thus, you should also disable themes. Similar to plugins, renaming the theme folder will coerce WordPress to load a basic theme.

If the login redirect loop is resolved, you can reactivate your plugins and theme one at a time to identify the culprit by renaming it back to what it was.

#4: Upgrade to a Dedicated IP

A shared IP address, commonly used in shared hosting environments, can sometimes contribute to issues like login redirect loops. This happens because multiple websites share the same server resources and IP address, which can lead to conflicts, security restrictions, or performance issues. Upgrading to a dedicated IP can help resolve these issues and provide additional benefits.

A dedicated IP is a unique IP address assigned exclusively to your website. Unlike shared IP addresses, which are used by multiple websites on the same server, a dedicated IP only hosts one site.

You can directly contact your hosting provider and inquire about upgrading to a dedicated IP. Most hosting companies allow easy upgradation with additional benefits. A dedicated server will also fasten your website, which customers love.

Preventing Future WordPress Login Redirect Loop Issues

Congratulations! You just fixed the issue, but are you sure that won’t happen again in the future? Therefore, it’s necessary to take these precautionary measures to be on the safe side.

• Keep WordPress, Plugins, and Themes Updated. Regularly update your WordPress core, plugins, and themes to their latest versions. Updates often include bug fixes that can prevent such conflicts.
• Monitor Plugins and Themes for Compatibility. Avoid installing poorly coded or outdated plugins and themes that are incompatible with your existing plugins or themes.
• Use a Dedicated Server. Choose dedicated IP addresses or managed WordPress hosting to prevent future wp-admin redirects to login page issues.

• Regularly Clear Browser Cache and Cookies. It’s always wise to clear browsing cookies every once in a while. We already discussed how this can prevent redirection issues.
• Backup Your Website Frequently. Regularly create backups of your WordPress site, including the database and files. In case of an issue, you can quickly restore the previous and more stable version of your site.

By adopting these practices, you can significantly reduce the chances of encountering login redirect loops in the future.

💡 Also Read: How to Login and Protect WordPress Admin Dashboard (2024)

Conclusion

As you can see, fixing the redirection issues is fairly simple. All you have to do is clear cookies, restore the .htaccess file, disable conflicting themes or plugins, or upgrade to a dedicated server as a last resort. 

To prevent such an issue from happening in the future, keep your core, themes, and plugins updated, check out the plugin’s compatibility before installation, and clean your browsing cookies regularly. Moreover, do not forget to make frequent backups of your WordPress, which will enable you to restore back to your previous backup if something goes wrong.

Lastly, to protect your login page from cyber attacks, try All-in-One Login today!

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