Introduction

One of the most frustrating problems WordPress users face is the login page refresh or redirect loop issue. You enter your username and password, click the login button, and instead of entering your dashboard, the page just refreshes or redirects you back to the login screen. This loop can prevent you from accessing your WordPress admin panel, which can disrupt your workflow and website management.

In this detailed guide, we’ll walk you through step-by-step solutions to fix the login refresh/redirect loop problem. These solutions include clearing browser cookies, resetting the .htaccess file, disabling plugins, checking site URL settings, and more. By following these methods, you can regain access to your WordPress dashboard and ensure smooth website management.

Common Causes of the Login Refresh/Redirect Loop

• Browser Cookies Issue – Corrupted or outdated cookies can prevent WordPress from authenticating login sessions.
• Corrupted .htaccess File – Misconfigurations in your .htaccess file can lead to redirection problems.
• Plugin Conflicts – Some plugins interfere with the login process and cause loops.
• Incorrect Site URL Settings – Mismatched WordPress Address (URL) and Site Address (URL) in the database or settings.
• Theme Issues – A faulty theme may disrupt the login process.
• File Permission Errors – Wrong file permissions on your server can prevent successful logins.

Step 1: Clear Browser Cookies and Cache

WordPress login relies on browser cookies. If your cookies are corrupted, your login session won’t authenticate properly.

How to Clear Cookies in Chrome:

1. Click the three-dot menu on the top right.
2. Go to Settings > Privacy and Security.
3. Click Clear browsing data.
4. Select Cookies and Cached images.
5. Click Clear Data.

After clearing cookies, try logging in again. If the problem persists, move to the next step.

Step 2: Reset the .htaccess File

The .htaccess file in WordPress controls redirection rules. If it becomes corrupted, you may face login loops.

Steps to Reset .htaccess:

1. Access your website via FTP or cPanel File Manager.
2. Locate the .htaccess file in the root WordPress directory.
3. Rename it to .htaccess_old.
4. Try logging in again.
5. If successful, go to Settings > Permalinks in WordPress Dashboard and click Save to generate a new .htaccess file.

Step 3: Disable All Plugins

Plugins are a common cause of login loops. If a plugin is conflicting, you won’t be able to log in until it’s disabled.

How to Disable Plugins Manually:

1. Access your WordPress files via FTP or File Manager.
2. Go to wp-content folder.
3. Rename the plugins folder to plugins_backup.
4. Try logging in again.
5. If login works, rename the folder back and reactivate plugins one by one to find the culprit.

Step 4: Check Site URL in wp-config.php

Sometimes, incorrect site URL settings cause redirect loops. You can fix this via wp-config.php.

Steps:

1. Open wp-config.php in your root directory.
2. Add the following lines before /* That's all, stop editing! */:

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

Replace yourwebsite.com with your actual domain.

Step 5: Switch to a Default Theme

If your theme is corrupted, it may cause login problems. Switch to a default theme like Twenty Twenty-Four to check.

1. Access wp-content/themes.
2. Rename your active theme folder.
3. WordPress will automatically revert to a default theme.
4. Try logging in again.

Step 6: Correct File Permissions

File permission errors can also block login. Ensure your WordPress files have proper permissions:

• Folders should be set to 755.
• Files should be set to 644.

You can adjust these using FTP or cPanel.

Step 7: Re-upload Core Files

If none of the above works, re-upload fresh WordPress core files (except wp-content and wp-config.php). This ensures corrupted files are replaced.

Preventing Future Login Issues

• Keep your WordPress, themes, and plugins updated.
• Use reliable plugins and themes from trusted sources.
• Regularly back up your website.
• Clear cookies and cache periodically.
• Maintain secure file permissions.

Conclusion

Facing a WordPress login page refresh/redirect loop can be frustrating, but the good news is it’s completely fixable. By following the steps above — clearing cookies, resetting the .htaccess file, disabling plugins, checking URLs, switching themes, and fixing file permissions — you can easily regain access to your dashboard.

Always remember to take backups before making changes, and if you need professional assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to experts.

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