Troubleshooting IP Address Detection Issues in Limit Login Attempts Reloaded
Content
One of the most common issues users face with the Limit Login Attempts Reloaded (LLAR) plugin is being incorrectly locked out of their own WordPress site. Often, the root cause isn't the plugin itself but a server misconfiguration that prevents it from correctly identifying a visitor's real IP address. This guide will explain why this happens and provide the most effective solutions to regain access and ensure the plugin works correctly.
Why Does This Happen?
The LLAR plugin relies on identifying the correct IP address of every visitor to track login attempts. On a standard server setup, this is straightforward. However, many modern websites use services like Cloudflare, Sucuri, or other proxy servers that sit between the user and your website. In these cases, your web server might only see the IP address of the proxy service, not the real user. If the plugin is configured to look in the wrong place for the IP address, it can lock out everyone behind that proxy—including you—or fail to lock out actual attackers.
How to Identify an IP Detection Problem
The first sign of an IP detection issue is being locked out despite using correct credentials, especially if the lockout affects multiple users or entire offices. The definitive way to diagnose this is by checking the plugin's Debug tab. As seen in the sample threads, a user's debug information showed multiple conflicting IP headers:
REMOTE_ADDR = IP0 HTTP_CF_CONNECTING_IP = IP1 HTTP_X_FORWARDED_FOR = IP1,IP1 HTTP_X_REAL_IP = IP1
This output indicates that the server is receiving the real user IP (IP1) from Cloudflare (via the HTTP_CF_CONNECTING_IP header), but the plugin may not be using it.
Step-by-Step Solutions
Solution 1: Regain Immediate Access
If you are completely locked out, you must first disable the plugin to log in.
- Access your website's files via your hosting control panel's File Manager or an FTP client (like FileZilla).
- Navigate to the
/wp-content/plugins/directory. - Find the folder named
limit-login-attempts-reloaded. - Rename this folder to something else, like
limit-login-attempts-reloaded-off. This will deactivate the plugin. - You should now be able to log into your WordPress admin dashboard.
- After logging in, rename the folder back to its original name to reactivate the plugin.
Solution 2: Configure Trusted IP Origins (The Permanent Fix)
Once you have access, the next step is to tell the plugin which server header contains the correct IP address. This is done in the Advanced Settings tab under Trusted IP Origins.
- In your WordPress admin area, go to Settings > Limit Login Attempts.
- Click on the Advanced tab.
- Locate the Trusted IP Origins setting.
- Based on the debug output above, you would enter
HTTP_CF_CONNECTING_IPinto the field. If you use a different proxy, the correct header might beHTTP_X_FORWARDED_FORor another value. You may need to consult your hosting or proxy service's documentation. - Save the changes.
This configuration directs the plugin to the correct source for the real user IP address, preventing future widespread lockouts.
Solution 3: Inform Your Hosting Provider
While configuring the plugin helps, the underlying issue is a server configuration. It is recommended to contact your hosting provider, share the debug information with them, and ask them to properly configure your server to handle the IP addresses from your proxy service. A correctly configured server will make plugins like LLAR work more reliably.
Conclusion
Being locked out of your own site can be a frustrating experience, but it is usually solvable. The key is understanding that the problem often lies in IP address detection, not the plugin's core functionality. By using the Debug tab to diagnose the issue and configuring the Trusted IP Origins setting, you can resolve the lockouts and strengthen your site's security effectively.
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