How to Fix the wordpress admin login redirecting and Redirect Loop

Is your WordPress login page stuck in an endless refresh and redirect loop? You type your credentials, hit enter, and instead of reaching the dashboard, you’re right back at the login screen. This frustrating issue completely locks you out of your WordPress admin area, preventing you from managing your site.

This definitive 2026 guide walks you through a clear, linear troubleshooting process to fix the WordPress login redirect loop. We’ll start with the simplest solutions and progress to more advanced ones. Always back up your site before attempting advanced fixes.

What Triggers the WordPress Login Redirect Loop?

Several issues can cause this, but the most common culprits are incorrect WordPress URL settings and a failure to set the proper authentication cookie. Normally, a successful login sets a cookie in your browser and redirects you to the admin dashboard. If the cookie isn’t set or the redirect URL is wrong, you’re sent back to the start.

Follow these steps in order to resolve the WordPress login page refresh issue.

Step 1: Clear Browser Cookies and Cache

Since WordPress relies on cookies for login sessions, corrupted or stale data is often the cause. This is the quickest fix.

1. In your browser (e.g., Google Chrome), open the settings.

2. Navigate to Privacy and Security > Clear Browsing Data.

3. Select “Cookies and other site data” and “Cached images and files”.

4. Click “Clear Data.”

5. Ensure cookies are enabled in your browser settings.

6. Restart your browser and attempt to log in again.

Step 2: Correct Your WordPress URL Settings

Incorrect “WordPress Address” or “Site Address” settings are a primary cause. If you can’t access the admin panel to check them, use these methods.

Method A: Update URLs via the Database

1. Access your site’s database via phpMyAdmin (from your hosting control panel).

2. Find the wp_options table.

3. Locate the siteurl and home rows.

4. Change their values to your correct website URL (e.g., https://www.wptroubleshoot.com).

5. Save the changes and try logging in.

Method B: Update URLs via wp-config.php

If database access isn’t possible, define the URLs in your wp-config.php file.

1. Connect via FTP/SFTP or your host’s file manager.

2. Locate wp-config.php in your site’s root directory.

3. Edit the file and add these lines just above the /* That's all, stop editing! Happy publishing. */ comment:

   php

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

4. Save and upload the file. Try logging in.

Step 3: Delete or Rename the .htaccess File

A corrupted .htaccess file can cause redirect loops and internal server errors.

1. Access your site’s root folder via FTP/File Manager.

2. Find the .htaccess file. Download it as a backup.

3. Delete the file.

4. Also check the /wp-admin/ folder for another .htaccess and delete it.

5. Attempt to log in. If successful, regenerate the file by going to Settings > Permalinks in WordPress and clicking “Save Changes.”

Step 4: Deactivate All Plugins (Via FTP)

A plugin conflict is a frequent source of login issues. Deactivate them all at once.

1. Access the /wp-content/ directory via FTP/File Manager.

2. Find the plugins folder.

3. Rename it to plugins.deactivated.

4. This instantly deactivates all plugins. Try to log in now.

5. If successful, rename the folder back to plugins and reactivate them one by one in your dashboard to identify the culprit.

Step 5: Switch to a Default Theme

A faulty theme can also cause conflicts, especially after updates.

1. Via FTP/File Manager, navigate to /wp-content/themes/.

2. Rename your active theme’s folder (e.g., my-theme) to my-theme.deactivated.

3. WordPress will automatically fall back to a default theme (like Twenty Twenty-Six).

4. Try logging in. If it works, your theme was the issue. Consider reinstalling it or choosing a new one.

Troubleshooting Flowchart
Follow this linear path to isolate and fix the WordPress login redirect loop:

By following this structured approach, you should regain access to your WordPress admin area. This guide has provided the most effective solutions for the login page refresh and redirect loop problem as of 2026.