403 forbidden error, can’t log into WordPress

Hi @aforumuser,

Is the error message you’re seeing a branded Wordfence error page? If so, please include the “Reason: [explanation]” text from the Block Reasons section or a screenshot of the block page so that we can tell you what to change to prevent getting blocked in the future.

If you are seeing a Wordfence block screen and you are an administrator on the site, the blocking page offers to send you an email to unlock your own access. On most modern hosts, these emails should arrive within seconds or minutes. If your site is unable to send emails, or if it takes so long to arrive that the recovery link in the email has already expired when you receive it, then you may need to forcefully deactivate Wordfence by renaming the following folder:

~/wp-content/plugins/wordfence

Renaming the Wordfence folder there briefly via FTP or a file manager can help rule out the Wordfence plugin as blocking your access. If you rename the plugin folder there and are able to log in, you can rename the Wordfence directory back to the original name using the same FTP/file manager method and you should not be locked out. If you do not notice any change with Wordfence deactivated, this may be a permissions issue and you might want to check with your host. As another option, you can also try renaming the plugins folder entirely (to plugins_temp for example) to rule out a plugin conflict in general. Keep in mind this will affect the front-end site functionality.

You can find other troubleshooting tips here: ?https://www.wordfence.com/help/blocking/troubleshooting/

Let us know if any of the above methods help!

Thanks,
Margaret

Thank you for the quick reply! It’s not a branded page, I just see that message text and nothing else (I am the admin / owner for the site).

I’ve renamed the Wordfence plugin and cleared the cache, but nothing will let me back in. When I try to reset the password, I get the same 403 message too.

If you do not notice any change with Wordfence deactivated, this may be a permissions issue and you might want to check with your host.

I’m speaking to my host now as well but if there’s anything else that you can suggest I’d welcome any suggestions!

Hi @wfmargaret,

I’m able to get into my site again, but I’m not sure whether renaming the Wordfence plugin made the difference, or if my host did something else in the background.

Is there any way to ensure I can always get in, regardless of whether my IP is blocked (if that’s what happened this time)?

Hi @aforumuser,?

Please reactivate the Wordfence plugin and check with your host what changes were made.  Try logging out and back in a few times to see if the issue returns once Wordfence is reactivated.

If the issue continues once Wordfence has been reactivated, can you send a diagnostic report to wftest @ wordfence . com? You can find the link to do so at the top of the Wordfence > Tools > Diagnostics page. Then click on “Send Report by Email”. Please add your forum username where indicated and respond here after you have sent it.

NOTE: It should look as follows – Screenshot of Tools > Diagnostic > Send by Email

Thanks,
Margaret