How to Find and Update Your WordPress Website Login Page URL?

Every WordPress site has a login page where admins and users enter their details to access the backend. By default, this login page is set as:

yourdomain.com/wp-login.php or yourdomain.com/wp-admin/

While easy to remember, these URLs are also easy targets for hackers. They often try brute force attacks by attempting to guess usernames and passwords over and over.

That’s why it’s a smart idea to learn how to find your login page, change it, and protect it, especially if you care about your site’s security and want to keep hackers away.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through everything, from locating your login URL, changing it safely, to securing it effectively. Plus, we will also highlight how Cloudways hosting can make this process smoother with its managed hosting features and robust security tools.

How to Find Your WordPress Login Page URL

The default WordPress login URL is straightforward, you just need to add /wp-login.php/ or /wp-admin/ at the end of your domain name. For example, if your site is example.com, your login page is at example.com/wp-login.php or example.com/wp-admin/.

If WordPress is installed in a subdirectory, include that in the URL. For instance, if installed in example.com/blog/, your login URL will be example.com/blog/wp-login.php/.

If you’re using Cloudways hosting, you can easily find your login URL through the Cloudways dashboard:

• Log in to your Cloudways account.
• Navigate to the Applications tab.
• Select your WordPress application.
• Under Access Details, find the Admin Panel link and click it to open your login page directly.

Why Change Your WordPress Login URL?

Changing your login URL from the default path is a simple yet effective way to reduce the risk of automated attacks. Since hackers often target the default wp-login.php URL, customizing it helps hide your login page, making it less visible to malicious bots.

Additionally, a custom login URL can improve user experience by aligning the URL with your brand or site structure. It also allows for better SEO practices if you use descriptive slugs.

How to Change Your WordPress Login URL

Here we will learn how to change or update the WordPress Login URL with quick easy steps.

Using Plugins (Recommended for Beginners and Intermediate Users)

One of the easiest ways to change your login URL is by using a plugin like WPS Hide Login or Theme My Login.

• WPS Hide Login is lightweight and lets you specify a new login URL without modifying core files. After installing and activating the plugin, simply go to its settings and enter your desired login slug (e.g., my-login). Save changes, and your login URL becomes yourdomain.com/my-login.

• Theme My Login offers more flexibility, allowing you to create custom login, registration, and password recovery pages with SEO-friendly URLs. It’s ideal if you want to maintain a consistent front-end design and control user registration options. This plugin supports multiple login methods and user moderation features, though some advanced functionalities require paid extensions.

Now why do you need to use plugins? Here’s why:

• No need to edit core WordPress files, reducing risk.
• Easy to revert changes if needed.
• Additional security and customization options included.

Manual Method: Editing wp-login.php (For Advanced Users)

If you prefer not to use plugins, you can manually change the login URL by modifying the wp-login.php file. This method requires technical knowledge and caution:

• Backup wp-login.php: Always create a backup of this file before editing.
• Rename wp-login.php: Change the file name to something unique, e.g., my-secret-login.php.
• Update references: Search your WordPress installation for any references to wp-login.php and update them to the new filename.
• Disable automatic updates: WordPress updates may overwrite your changes, so consider disabling automatic core updates or be prepared to reapply changes after updates.

💡Note: This method is risky and not recommended for beginners because improper changes can lock you out of your site.

Best Practices to Secure Your WordPress Login Page

Securing your login page is as important as hiding it. Here are some top practices:

• Use strong passwords and encourage users to do the same.
• Limit login attempts to prevent brute force attacks.
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for an extra layer of security.
• Install security plugins like Sucuri or Wordfence that offer firewall protection, malware scanning, and login monitoring.
• Change the default login URL to reduce the attack surface.
• Use SSL certificates to encrypt data between users and your site.

Cloudways enhances these security measures by offering the following features to make it more easy and reliable for you:

• Enterprise-level firewalls.
• Real-time malware scanning and automatic removal.
• File integrity monitoring.
• Scheduled vulnerability scans.
• Integration with Cloudflare Enterprise for advanced DDoS protection.

All these features are managed through Cloudways intuitive dashboard, making security accessible even if you’re not a security expert.

Cloudways Hosting for Simplifying WordPress Login Management and Security

Cloudways is a managed cloud hosting platform that simplifies WordPress hosting by handling server management, security, and performance optimization for you.

• One-click WordPress installation: Get your site up and running quickly.
• Easy access to login URL: Find and access your WordPress admin panel directly from the Cloudways dashboard without hunting for URLs.
• Robust security features: Cloudways provides automated updates, malware protection, and firewall management, reducing your workload while keeping your site safe.
• Performance optimization: Built-in caching and CDN integration ensure your site loads fast even with added security layers.
• Scalable and cost-effective: Cloudways supports sites of all sizes, scaling resources as your traffic grows without breaking the bank.

General Tips and Tricks for Managing WordPress Login Issues

If you forget your custom login URL, disable the plugin responsible for changing it via FTP or your hosting file manager to revert to the default URL. With Cloudways, you can reach out to support to get immediate help without getting into any difficulty.

• Regularly update WordPress core, themes, and plugins to patch security vulnerabilities.
• Create multiple admin users with strong credentials to avoid being locked out.
• Use Cloudways backup and staging features to test login URL changes safely before applying them on live sites.

Conclusion

Finding and updating your WordPress login page URL is a foundational step toward securing your website and enhancing user experience. Whether you choose to use plugins for easy customization or manually edit core files for complete control, understanding the process empowers you to protect your site effectively. Remember, changing the login URL is just one part of a broader security strategy that includes strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and regular updates.

Cloudways hosting stands out as an excellent partner in this journey, offering a user-friendly dashboard to manage your WordPress sites, robust security features like automated malware protection, and performance optimizations that keep your site running smoothly. With Cloudways, both beginners and advanced users can confidently manage their login URLs and site security without hassle.

Salwa Mujtaba

Salwa Mujtaba is a Technical Content Writer at Cloudways. With a strong background in Computer Science and prior experience as a team lead in Cloudways Operations, she brings a deep understanding of the Cloudways Platform to her writing. Salwa creates content that simplifies complex concepts, making them accessible and engaging for readers. When she's not writing, you can find her enjoying good music, reading a book, or spending quality time with her family.

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