How to create a WordPress admin user via phpMyAdmin

If you have lost access to your WordPress administrator account and cannot use the “Lost your password?” link or SSH commands, you can manually add a new user via phpMyAdmin. This method is safe, beginner-friendly, and involves adding records to two specific database tables: wp_users and wp_usermeta.

Step 1: Access phpMyAdmin

First, you need to open the database management tool for your website:

1. Navigate to Websites → Dashboard, search for Databases Management on the sidebar and click on it:
   
2. Select the database and click on phpMyAdmin:

Step 2: Add a new user to the wp_users table

The wp_users table stores basic login information.

1. On the left sidebar of phpMyAdmin, click on the wp_users table (Note: your table prefix might be different, e.g., wp123_users).
   
2. Click the Insert tab at the top of the page.
   
3. Fill in the following fields:
   • ID: Enter a unique number (e.g., 1000). Remember this ID; you will need it for the next step.
   • user_login: The username you want to use for logging in.
   • user_pass: Type your desired password. Important: In the Function dropdown, select MD5 to encrypt the password.
   • user_nicename: A nickname for the user.
   • user_email: A valid email address.
   • user_registered: Select the current date and time using the calendar icon.
   • user_status: Set this to 0.
   • display_name: The name to be displayed publicly on the site.
4. Click Go at the bottom of the page to save the user.
   

Step 3: Assign Administrator permissions in wp_usermeta

Adding a user to the database is not enough; you must manually assign them the “Administrator” role.

1. Click on the wp_usermeta table in the left sidebar.
   
2. Click the Insert tab at the top.
3. You will see two entry forms. Fill out the first form as follows:
   • unmeta_id: Leave blank (auto-generated).
   • user_id: Enter the ID you used in Step 2 (e.g., 1000).
   • meta_key: Enter wp_capabilities (replace wp_ with your actual prefix if different).
   • meta_value: Paste exactly this: a:1:{s:13:”administrator”;s:1:”1″;}
     
4. Fill out the second form on the same page:
   • unmeta_id: Leave blank.
   • user_id: Enter the same ID (e.g., 1000).
   • meta_key: Enter wp_user_level.
   • meta_value: Enter 10.
     
5. Click Go at the bottom to save both entries.

Step 4: Verify and Finalize

1. Go to your WordPress login page (yourdomain.com/wp-admin).
2. Log in with the new username and password.
3. Once logged in, go to Users → All Users.
4. Click Edit on your new user and simply click Update Profile at the bottom. This allows WordPress to clean up the metadata and finalize the account creation.

Manually creating a user via phpMyAdmin is a powerful way to bypass login issues. Once you have regained access, you can manage your other users or reset lost passwords directly from the WordPress dashboard.