WordPress Login Redirect Loop – Causes & Fixes (Ultimate 2025 Guide)

Originally published on September 23, 2025 | Last updated on December 13, 2025

Table of Contents

1. What is the WordPress Login Redirect Loop?

2. Common Symptoms of the Login Loop

3. Top Causes of the WordPress Login Redirect Loop

4. How to Fix WordPress Login Redirect Loop – Step-by-Step

   • 4.1 Clear Browser Cookies & Cache

   • 4.2 Deactivate All Plugins

   • 4.3 Switch to a Default Theme

   • 4.4 Manually Reset .htaccess File

   • 4.5 Check WordPress Site URL Settings

   • 4.6 Fix Corrupted wp-config.php or Cookie Settings

   • 4.7 Check File Permissions

   • 4.8 Use WP-CLI to Regain Access

5. Preventing Login Loop Errors in the Future

6. Still Stuck? Here’s What to Do

7. Final Thoughts

What is the WordPress Login Redirect Loop?

The WordPress login redirect loop is a frustrating issue where you try to log in to your dashboard — and instead of reaching /wp-admin, you’re sent back to the login page again and again.

This loop continues even with correct credentials, effectively locking you out of your site.

It looks like this:

This is a common issue — but it’s 100% fixable.

Common Symptoms of the Login Loop

• Logging in redirects you to the login page again

• No error message is shown

• Password is accepted, but you can’t reach the dashboard

• Multiple users are affected

• Issue appears after plugin/theme update

Top Causes of the WordPress Login Redirect Loop

Several common issues can cause this frustrating redirect loop. Understanding them helps you apply the right fix.

Causes Include:

• Corrupt or outdated cookies or cache

• Misconfigured site URL or WordPress address

• Conflicting or broken plugins

• A problematic theme or functions.php file

• Corrupt .htaccess file

• Incorrect file permissions

• Server-related issues or redirect rules

• Misconfigured cookie domain in wp-config.php

In some cases, login redirect loops are caused by malware or unauthorized code injections — here’s how to clean a hacked WordPress site without losing SEO safely.

How to Fix WordPress Login Redirect Loop – Step-by-Step

Here’s a complete checklist to fix the issue:

4.1 Clear Browser Cookies & Cache

The first thing to try is the simplest.

Steps:

1. Open Chrome/Firefox.

2. Go to Settings > Privacy > Clear Browsing Data.

3. Clear:

   • Cookies and other site data

   • Cached images and files

4. Restart the browser and log in again.

Pro Tip: Try using a private/incognito window as well.

4.2 Deactivate All Plugins

A faulty plugin can break the login process. If you’re completely locked out of the dashboard, follow this step-by-step guide on how to disable WordPress plugins without admin access using FTP or file manager.

Method 1: Using FTP or File Manager

1. Connect to your site via FTP or cPanel File Manager.

2. Go to: /wp-content/plugins

3. Rename the folder to plugins_old.

This will deactivate all plugins.

4. Try logging in again.

5. If it works, rename the folder back and reactivate plugins one by one.

4.3 Switch to a Default Theme

Themes can also interfere with redirects, especially custom or poorly coded ones.

Steps:

1. Go to /wp-content/themes

2. Rename your current theme folder (e.g. astra to astra_old)

3. WordPress will automatically fall back to a default theme like Twenty Twenty-Four

If this works, the issue lies in the theme. Check its functions.php or contact the developer. If switching themes fixes the login loop, your theme is likely broken — follow this guide to restore a broken WordPress theme without losing data safely.

4.4 Manually Reset .htaccess File

A corrupted .htaccess can block admin access or cause redirect loops.

Steps:

1. Connect via FTP or file manager.

2. Locate .htaccess in your root directory.

3. Rename it to .htaccess_old

4. Login to WordPress.

If successful, go to:

Dashboard > Settings > Permalinks > Save Changes

This will regenerate a fresh .htaccess file.

Default .htaccess for WordPress:

4.5 Check WordPress Site URL Settings

If the WordPress Address (URL) or Site Address (URL) is incorrect, it causes redirect issues.

Steps via wp-config.php:

1. Open wp-config.php

2. Add this (replace with your actual domain):

3. Save and refresh the login page.

If your site keeps bouncing between HTTP and HTTPS, this can directly cause login redirect loops — follow this guide to fix the WordPress HTTP to HTTPS redirect issue properly.

4.6 Fix Corrupted wp-config.php or Cookie Settings

Sometimes cookie domain misconfiguration causes issues.

Add This to wp-config.php:

This tells WordPress to use the current domain and avoid mismatch errors.

Also, check that no trailing slashes or incorrect characters exist in any define() values.

4.7 Check File Permissions

Incorrect file permissions can block WordPress from handling login sessions properly.

Recommended Permissions:

• Files: 644

• Folders: 755

Fix with FTP:

1. Right-click on files/folders.

2. Select File Permissions.

3. Set appropriate values as above.

4.8 Use WP-CLI to Regain Access

If you have SSH access, WP-CLI is a powerful tool to fix login problems.

Example: Clear Sessions & Cache

Reset User Password:

You can also check for user meta conflicts:

Preventing Login Loop Errors in the Future

Best Practices:

• Always backup before updates and follow our essential WordPress maintenance checklist to keep your site healthy and avoid login loops.

• Avoid poorly coded themes/plugins

• Use security plugins like Wordfence

• Regularly clear expired transients

• Set correct cookie settings

• Keep site URL and home URL consistent

• Use tools like Health Check plugin to isolate issues safely

• Adding an extra layer of login security can prevent unauthorized changes that cause redirect issues — learn how to set up WordPress two-factor authentication (2FA) step by step.

Still Stuck? Here’s What to Do

If nothing works:

• Contact hosting support – they can help check server logs or reverse recent changes

• Check error logs in wp-content/debug.log (enable with WP_DEBUG)

• Use a staging site to debug without breaking live site

• Consider a professional WordPress maintenance service

• If you’ve tried all the above steps and still can’t log in, don’t worry — our team is ready to help. You can get emergency WordPress support and regain access quickly without risking your site.

Final Thoughts

The WordPress login redirect loop may seem intimidating, but now you know exactly how to:

• Identify the root cause

• Apply the correct fix

• Prevent future lockouts

At WPThrill, we believe in empowering users with clear, reliable, and actionable WordPress guides.

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