Forgetting your WordPress admin password can be stressful especially if the “Lost your password?” link isn’t sending reset emails or your email configuration is broken. Luckily, there’s a quick and reliable way to reset your WordPress password manually through phpMyAdmin in cPanel.
This article will walk you through the process safely and clearly no coding required. Ideal for website owners, bloggers, business clients, and anyone managing their own hosting.

Why Use phpMyAdmin to Reset WordPress Password?

The WordPress login screen allows for password resets via email. But in the following cases, that method fails:

• Your website’s email service isn’t working

• You’re not receiving the reset email due to spam filters or DNS misconfigurations

• You’re locked out of your admin account with no other users to help

phpMyAdmin gives you direct access to your WordPress database, where the password is stored (in hashed format) and lets you reset it directly.

Prerequisites Before You Begin

Make sure you have:

• Access to your hosting account’s cPanel

• A basic understanding that you are editing the WordPress database, not files

• Your WordPress database name (we’ll show how to find it)

Step-by-Step: Resetting WordPress Password via phpMyAdmin in cPanel

Step 1: Log into Your cPanel

Go to your hosting account and log into cPanel, typically available at:

Use your cPanel username and password.

Step 2: Open phpMyAdmin

1. Scroll down to the Databases section.

2. Click on phpMyAdmin it opens in a new tab.

phpMyAdmin allows you to browse and modify your website’s database.

Step 3: Find Your WordPress Database

If you’re unsure which database your site uses:

1. Go back to cPanel and open the File Manager.

2. Navigate to the folder where your WordPress site is installed (usually public_html).

3. Locate and open the wp-config.php file.

4. Look for the line:

   define( 'DB_NAME', 'your_database_name' );


Now return to phpMyAdmin and click on the correct database name from the left sidebar.

Step 4: Open the “wp_users” Table

Once the database is selected:

1. Scroll through the list of tables until you find one named something like:

   wp_users


   (Note: It might be xyz_users if your table prefix was customized.)

2. Click on this table to view all registered users.

Step 5: Edit the Admin User

1. Find the row for the admin user or the user whose password you want to reset.

2. Click Edit (the pencil icon) next to that row.

You’ll now see a form to update that user’s information.

Step 6: Change the Password Safely

In the user_pass field:

• Under the Function column, select MD5 from the dropdown.

• In the Value column, type your new password (in plain text).
  Example:

  NewSecurePassword123!


The MD5 function will convert your plain password into a hashed format that WordPress recognizes.

Then scroll down and click Go to save changes.

Step 7: Log into WordPress

Go back to your WordPress login page (yourdomain.com/wp-admin) and:

• Enter the username or email of the edited user

• Enter the new password you just set

You should now have access to your WordPress dashboard!

Important Notes

• MD5 is used for backward compatibility only. WordPress rehashes passwords with a stronger algorithm once you log in.

• Don’t use common or weak passwords always choose a strong combination.

• If you manage multiple sites, ensure you’re working on the correct database and user.

• Avoid editing any other database fields unless you’re confident in what you’re doing.

What If You See Multiple Users or Tables?

• If there are many users, match the user_login or user_email field.

• If you see several similar table names (e.g., wp1_users, wp2_users), it’s likely you’re hosting multiple WordPress installations. Double-check your site’s wp-config.php file for the correct prefix.

When Should You Contact Hosting Support?

If:

• You don’t see phpMyAdmin in cPanel

• You get an error editing tables

• You’ve tried multiple times and still can’t log in

Reach out to your hosting provider’s support they may assist or verify things from the server side.

Final Thoughts

Resetting your WordPress password through phpMyAdmin is a fast and reliable fallback when the default reset link doesn’t work. It gives you control without relying on emails or plugins and it’s easy to do with just a few clicks from cPanel.
Make sure to store your new credentials securely and keep email delivery (MX, SPF, etc.) properly configured to avoid lockouts in the future.