How to Reset WordPress Admin Password in DirectAdmin

Forgetting your WordPress admin password can be frustrating, especially when you need urgent access to your website. Fortunately, DirectAdmin provides several easy ways to reset your password without logging into WordPress.

This guide walks you through the most effective methods.

When Do You Need This?

You may need to reset your password if:

  • You forgot your WordPress admin login details

  • Your account has been compromised

  • The password reset email is not working

Method 1: Reset Password via phpMyAdmin (Most Reliable)

This is the most commonly used method.

Steps:

  1. Log in to your DirectAdmin Control Panel

  2. Navigate to:
    Account Manager → Databases

  3. Click on:
    phpMyAdmin next to your database

4. Select your WordPress database from the left sidebar

5. Open the table:

wp_users

(Note: the prefix “wp_” may vary, e.g., wp123_users)

6. Locate your admin username and click Edit

7. Find the field:

user_pass

8. Change the function to:

MD5

9. Enter your new password in the value field

10. Click Go / Save

You can now log in using your new password.

Method 2: Reset via WordPress Login Page

If your email is working:

  1. Go to your login page:

yourdomain.com/wp-admin

  1. Click:
    Lost your password?

  2. Enter your username or email

  3. Check your email and follow the reset link

If you don’t receive the email:

  • Check spam/junk folder

  • Ensure your server email is properly configured

Method 3: Reset via File Manager (functions.php Method)

Useful if you can access files but not the database.

Steps:

  1. Go to:
    System Info & Files → File Manager

  2. Navigate to:

/domains/yourdomain.com/public_html/wp-content/themes/your-active-theme/

  1. Open:

functions.php

  1. Add this line at the top:

wp_set_password(‘NewPassword123’, 1);

Replace:

    • NewPassword123 with your desired password

    • 1 with your admin user ID (usually 1)

  2. Save the file

  3. Visit your website once (this triggers the reset)

  4. IMPORTANT: Remove the code immediately after logging in

Method 4: Reset Using WP-CLI (Advanced Users)

If you have SSH access:

  1. Connect via SSH

  2. Navigate to your WordPress directory:

cd domains/yourdomain.com/public_html

  1. Run:

wp user update admin –user_pass=NewPassword123

Common Issues & Fixes

Database not found

  • Check wp-config.php for correct database name

Password not working after reset

  • Clear browser cache

  • Ensure MD5 was selected in phpMyAdmin

Don’t know admin username

In wp_users table:

  • Look for the user with:

user_login = admin

or check user_email

Security Tips

  • Always use a strong password (mix of letters, numbers, symbols)

  • Avoid using “admin” as your username

  • Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

  • Keep WordPress, themes, and plugins updated

Resetting your WordPress admin password in DirectAdmin is simple once you know where to look. The phpMyAdmin method is the most reliable, while other methods offer flexibility depending on your access level.