WordPress: You Have Been Locked Out of This Site
<figure>
<img src="https://jmsilcom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/wordpress_you_have_been_locked_out_of_this_site_f59198.webp" alt="Locked out from WordPress">
</figure>
<h2>Introduction</h2>
When you attempt to access your WordPress website and receive the message "You have been locked out of this site", it can be a frustrating experience. This error typically occurs after multiple failed login attempts, which triggers the website's security measures to temporarily block the user. In this article, we will explore how to quickly and easily resolve this issue.
<h2>Development</h2>
There are two primary methods to address this problem: through your WordPress dashboard or by accessing your website's files via a File Manager in your web hosting control panel.
<h3>Method 1: Unlocking from the WordPress Dashboard</h3>
If you have access to another user account with sufficient permissions, you can follow these steps:
<ol>
<li>Navigate to your website and add wp-admin to the URL.</li>
<li>Login using the alternative account.</li>
<li>In the WordPress dashboard, scroll down to the left-hand menu and select WordFence > Blocking.</li>
<li>Under Specific IPs that are blocked, choose IPs locked out from login.</li>
<li>Identify the blocked user's IP address, location, and activity in the list. If you recognize it as a trusted user, click on Unlock to remove the block (this action will resolve the issue in approximately 95% of cases).</li>
</ol>
<h3>Method 2: Accessing Website Files via Web Hosting Control Panel</h3>
If you do not have access to another user account, you can try this alternative method:
<ol>
<li>Login to your web hosting control panel (e.g., cPanel).</li>
<li>Find and open the File Manager.</li>
<li>Navigate to your domain or subdomain, then go to WP-content > Plugins.</li>
<li>Locate the security plugin that may be causing the issue (e.g., Better WP Security). Rename the plugin file to something like "old\_plugin\_name" to temporarily deactivate it.</li>
<li>Refresh your website and try logging in again. If you are now able to access your WordPress dashboard, log in and rename the plugin file back to its original name or delete the "old" version to restore functionality.</li>
</ol>
<h3>Additional Troubleshooting</h3>
If the problem persists, you may need to clear your database by accessing phpMyAdmin in your web hosting control panel. This process is more advanced and should only be attempted if necessary.
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
By following these steps, you can quickly resolve the "You have been locked out of this site" error on your WordPress website. If you continue to experience issues or need further assistance, please consult with a professional developer or reach out to the WordJEC Web Quality team.
