How to Fix WordPress Login Redirect Loop Problem (Step-by-Step Guide)

You enter your WordPress login details, hit the submit button, and get redirected right back to the login page. Again. And again. It’s frustrating, and it keeps you locked out of your own website. This common issue-known as the WordPress login redirect loop-can result from corrupted cookies, plugin conflicts, or issues in your .htaccess file.

Solving this problem doesn't require a developer in most cases, but it does call for a systematic approach.

In this article, you’ll find tested methods to break out of the loop and regain control of your site.

Clear Your Browser Cookies and Cache

The most common cause of login redirection is corrupted cookies or outdated browser cache. WordPress uses cookies to authenticate users, and any mismatch in cookie data can send you into a loop.

Steps to clear cookies and cache:

• Go to your browser settings.
• Clear the cache and delete cookies related to your WordPress domain.
• Close and reopen the browser.
• Try logging in again.

Alternatively, you can use incognito/private mode to bypass cached sessions temporarily.

Update or Reset Your WordPress Site URL Settings

Incorrect or mismatched values for WordPress Address (URL) and Site Address (URL) in your settings can cause login loops, especially after a domain change or migration.

How to fix via wp-config.php:

1. Access your site via FTP or cPanel File Manager.
2. Open the wp-config.php file.
3. Add these two lines above “That’s all, stop editing!”

define('WP_HOME','https://yoursite.com');
define('WP_SITEURL','https://yoursite.com');

Make sure the URLs match your actual site URL. This override bypasses database settings and prevents redirection mismatches.

Check and Rename the .htaccess File

A corrupted .htaccess file can misdirect login attempts, especially if you have URL rewrites or security directives that interfere with WordPress authentication.

To reset your .htaccess:

• Connect to your server using FTP.
• Navigate to the root folder and find .htaccess.
• Rename it to .htaccess_old.
• Try logging in again.

If this resolves the issue, generate a fresh .htaccessfile:

• Log in (once successful).
• Go to Settings > Permalinks and click Save Changes.

This regenerates a clean, default .htaccess file.

Deactivate All Plugins via FTP or cPanel

Certain plugins-especially security or login-related ones-can clash with WordPress's default login behavior and cause redirect loops.

To disable all plugins at once:

• Open your FTP client or cPanel File Manager.
• Navigate to wp-content.
• Rename the plugins folder to plugins_disabled.
• Try to log in.

If successful, you can rename the folder back and reactivate plugins one at a time to identify the culprit.

Look out for:

• Security plugins (like Wordfence or iThemes)
• Redirect or login limiter plugins
• Caching plugins

Switch to a Default WordPress Theme

A malfunctioning theme-especially one with custom login page features-can also trigger login redirect issues.

To test this:

• Access wp-content/themes/using FTP.
• Rename your active theme folder (e.g.,my-theme to my-theme_old).
• WordPress will default to a standard theme like Twenty Twenty-One.
• Try logging in again.

If successful, the theme is the issue. Contact the theme developer or check for compatibility issues with your plugins.

Repair File Ownership and Permissions

Incorrect file permissions or ownership settings can silently break your login functionality. WordPress typically requires specific access levels to run scripts correctly.

Recommended permissions:

• Folders: 755
• Files: 644

Use your hosting control panel or FTP client to adjust permissions recursively on all directories and files.

In advanced setups, server users and group settings may also affect session handling. Hosting support can usually correct this quickly if you're unsure.

Manually Reset the .htaccess Rules for Login

Some shared hosting setups inject extra rules into .htaccess that affect login paths. You can manually insert standard login behavior.

Insert the following default rules:

# BEGIN WordPress
<IfModule mod_rewrite.c>
RewriteEngine On
RewriteBase /
RewriteRule ^index\.php$ - [L]
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d
RewriteRule . /index.php [L]
</IfModule>
# END WordPress

This script ensures clean URLs and correct login redirection, especially for non-default login URLs or multisite installs.

Force Secure Sessions by Disabling HTTPS Temporarily

If you recently enabled SSL without adjusting WordPress login settings, SSL misconfiguration might trigger redirection loops.

Temporarily disable HTTPS login redirect:

• Edit wp-config.php.
• Add:

define('FORCE_SSL_ADMIN', false);

Only do this for testing. If it fixes the issue, you'll want to properly configure SSL with your hosting and WordPress settings.

If You're Still Facing Login Redirect Loop Issues…

Persistent login loops, especially after trying these methods, may suggest deeper server or code-level issues. That’s when expert help becomes essential.

You can hire a WordPress developer to step in, audit your environment, and resolve complex redirect or security problems without guesswork.

Indian outsourcing firms offer:

• Dedicated WordPress experts for full-time or short-term tasks
• Flexible hiring for hourly or project-based support
• Budget-friendly solutions without sacrificing quality

So if you're stuck with login issues that just won’t go away, consider hiring a WordPress developer from a reliable Indian firm who can dig deep and get your admin panel accessible again.

In a Nutshell

Being locked out of your WordPress dashboard can be stressful, especially when you’ve done everything right. The redirect loop problem is annoying but rarely unfixable.

With a systematic approach-clearing cache, adjusting URL settings, disabling plugins, and reviewing file structure-you can usually resolve the issue without panic.

And if you're still locked out? Help is just a message away. WordPress developers with the right skills can clean up your site and get you back in business fast.