Fixing Password Protected Page Issues with WPS Hide Login
Content
Many WordPress users rely on the WPS Hide Login plugin to enhance their site's security by changing the default login URL. However, a common and frustrating issue arises when this plugin conflicts with WordPress's native password protection feature for pages and posts. Users report that after entering the correct password, they are redirected to a 404 error page, often with a URL like wp-login.php?action=postpass or their custom login slug. This guide will explain why this happens and walk you through the most effective troubleshooting steps.
Why Does This Conflict Happen?
The core of the problem lies in how WordPress handles password-protected content. When you submit a password on a protected page, the form's action is hardcoded in WordPress core to send the request to wp-login.php?action=postpass. The primary function of WPS Hide Login is to block direct access to wp-login.php. Consequently, this legitimate request from the password form gets blocked, resulting in a 404 error. This conflict can be exacerbated by other plugins, themes, or server configurations that also interact with these URLs.
How to Troubleshoot and Resolve the Issue
Before making any changes, ensure you have a recent backup of your website. Then, work through the following solutions, starting with the most common and simplest fix.
1. Refresh Your Permalinks
This is often the quickest and easiest fix. Sometimes, the rewrite rules that handle the custom login URL need to be flushed.
- Navigate to Settings > Permalinks in your WordPress dashboard.
- Without making any changes, simply click the 'Save Changes' button at the bottom of the page.
- Clear any caching on your site (server, plugin, or browser cache) and test the password-protected page again.
2. Check for Plugin or Theme Conflicts
This is the most common cause of the issue. Other plugins, especially those related to redirection, membership, or security, can interfere.
- Deactivate all plugins except WPS Hide Login.
- Test if the password protection works. If it does, you have a conflict.
- Reactivate your plugins one by one, testing the password page after each activation, to identify the culprit.
- If the issue persists with all plugins off, temporarily switch to a default WordPress theme (like Twenty Twenty-Four) and test again. A custom theme might have hardcoded the
wp-login.phpURL in its password form template.
Notable plugins mentioned in support threads that have caused conflicts include Redirection, Ultimate Member, and limit login attempt plugins.
3. Review the WPS Hide Login Version
This issue has appeared and been addressed in various plugin versions over time. If you recently updated WPS Hide Login and the problem started, it could be a regression.
- Check the plugin's changelog to see if the issue is noted.
- If you find that a newer version breaks functionality, and an older version (e.g., 1.9.15.2 as mentioned in one thread) works, you may consider rolling back to that previous version until a fix is released. Always ensure any older version is compatible with your WordPress and PHP versions for security.
4. For Advanced Users: Custom Code Filter
As identified in the support threads, the password form URL is hardcoded but can be filtered using the the_password_form filter. If you are comfortable with code, you can add a snippet to your theme's functions.php file to modify the form's action URL to use your custom login slug.
// Example filter to modify the password form action (adjust 'custom-login' to your slug)
add_filter( 'the_password_form', 'my_custom_password_form' );
function my_custom_password_form( $output ) {
$login_slug = 'custom-login'; // Replace with your custom login slug
$login_url = site_url( '/' . $login_slug . '/?action=postpass', 'login_post' );
$output = str_replace( 'wp-login.php?action=postpass', $login_slug . '/?action=postpass', $output );
return $output;
}
Warning: Use custom code with caution. Test it on a staging site first, and remember that it may need to be updated if the plugin's core functionality changes.
Conclusion
The conflict between WPS Hide Login and password-protected pages is a known issue that typically stems from how the plugin blocks access to the wp-login.php endpoint. The most reliable solutions involve methodical troubleshooting for conflicts with other plugins or themes. While custom code offers a potential workaround, the safest approach for most users is to identify and resolve the conflicting software or temporarily use a compatible older version of the plugin.
Related Support Threads Support
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Password protected post 404https://wordpress.org/support/topic/password-protected-post-404/
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Protected Pages bug whit WPS Hide Loginhttps://wordpress.org/support/topic/protected-pages-bug-whit-wps-hide-login/
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Password protected galleries won`t work with WPS Hide Loginhttps://wordpress.org/support/topic/password-protected-galleries-wont-work-with-wps-hide-login/
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Redirection plugin conflict for password protected pagehttps://wordpress.org/support/topic/redirection-plugin-conflict-for-password-protected-page/
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Password protected posts – behavour changedhttps://wordpress.org/support/topic/password-protected-posts-behavour-changed/
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404 on Password Protected Pageshttps://wordpress.org/support/topic/404-on-password-protected-pages/
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issue with password protected pageshttps://wordpress.org/support/topic/issue-with-password-protected-pages-3/
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Problem with password protected pageshttps://wordpress.org/support/topic/problem-with-password-protected-pages/
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Password protected pages not workinghttps://wordpress.org/support/topic/password-protected-pages-not-working-13/
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Password protected pageshttps://wordpress.org/support/topic/password-protected-pages-33/
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WP core post protected message hardcodes wp-login.phphttps://wordpress.org/support/topic/wp-core-post-protected-message-hardcodes-wp-login-php/
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Password Protected Pageshttps://wordpress.org/support/topic/password-protected-pages-28/
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Password protected pages not workinghttps://wordpress.org/support/topic/password-protected-pages-not-working-12/
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Password Protect Login URLhttps://wordpress.org/support/topic/password-protect-login-url/
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Password protected page does not workhttps://wordpress.org/support/topic/password-protected-page-does-not-work-2/
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WordPress Password Protected page does not work with WPS Hide Loinghttps://wordpress.org/support/topic/wordpress-password-protected-page-does-not-work-with-wps-hide-loing/
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Password Protected Pages Not Working after Latest Updatehttps://wordpress.org/support/topic/password-protected-pages-not-working-after-latest-update/