Troubleshooting WPS Hide Login: Common Issues and Solutions

WPS Hide Login is a popular plugin for changing the default WordPress login URL, but like any software, it can sometimes run into conflicts or unexpected behavior. Based on community reports, here are the most common issues users face and the recommended steps to resolve them.

1. Plugin Deactivates Itself or Won't Stay Activated

The Problem: Users report the plugin appears to deactivate spontaneously shortly after activation, often showing two log entries (activate/deactivate) at the same timestamp.

Why It Happens: This is rarely the plugin acting alone. The most common causes are:

• Hosting Environment: Some managed hosts, particularly those with aggressive security rules or object caching (e.g., Woo Express), may interfere with plugin functionality.
• Plugin or Theme Conflict: Another plugin or the theme might be programmatically deactivating it, often during an update process that fails to complete.
• Corrupted Installation: A faulty download or incomplete update can cause instability.

Solutions:

• Check with Your Host: Contact your hosting provider and ask if they have any known restrictions or conflicts with the WPS Hide Login plugin. Inquire about their object caching system and how to clear it completely.
• Conflict Test: Deactivate all other plugins and switch to a default WordPress theme (like Twenty Twenty-Four). Activate WPS Hide Login. If it stays active, reactivate your plugins and theme one by one to identify the conflict.
• Reinstall Manually: Use FTP or your host's file manager to completely delete the /wp-content/plugins/wps-hide-login/ folder. Then, install a fresh copy from the WordPress plugin repository.

2. Fatal Error on Activation (Often with WP Rocket)

The Problem: Users see a fatal error: Fatal error: Uncaught Error: Class ‘WPS_Hide_Login’ not found... This frequently occurs when WP Rocket is active.

Why It Happens: WP Rocket includes built-in compatibility code for WPS Hide Login. If the WP Rocket plugin loads its code before WPS Hide Login is fully loaded, it tries to reference a class that doesn't exist yet, causing a fatal error.

Solutions:

• Update Everything: Ensure both WPS Hide Login and WP Rocket are updated to their latest versions. The WPS Hide Login team and WP Rocket developers have worked to improve compatibility.
• The Workaround: If the error persists, deactivate WP Rocket, activate WPS Hide Login, and then reactivate WP Rocket. This is a reliable sequence that allows both plugins to load correctly.
• Clear All Caches: After successfully activating both plugins, clear your WP Rocket cache, any server-side caches, and your CDN cache (like Cloudflare).

3. Inability to Deactivate or Remove the Plugin

The Problem: A user cannot deactivate the plugin from the admin dashboard and continues to see errors even after deleting it via FTP.

Why It Happens: This is a strong indicator of a corrupted plugin state or, more seriously, a compromised website. Malware can sometimes lock plugins in place.

Solutions:

• Manual Removal via FTP: Access your site via FTP/SFTP. Navigate to /wp-content/plugins/ and delete the entire wps-hide-login folder. This is the most definitive way to remove it.
• Check for Malware: If errors persist after deletion, or you suspect other strange behavior, scan your website thoroughly using a security plugin like Wordfence or Sucuri. A 'headers already sent' warning can sometimes be a sign of a hack.
• Check File Permissions: Incorrect file permissions on your plugin directories can prevent WordPress from properly managing plugins.

4. Conflicts with Other Plugins (Wordfence, WP Optimize, Divi)

The Problem: Activation causes blank screens, fatal errors, or lockouts, particularly with security or optimization plugins.

Why It Happens: These plugins often run deep operations (scans, caching, file optimization) that can conflict with the URL rewriting performed by WPS Hide Login.

Solutions:

• Whitelist the New Login URL: In any security or caching plugin (Wordfence, WP Rocket, etc.), you must add your new custom login path to the allow/ignore list. Failure to do so can result in you being locked out.
• Update the Plugin: As seen in the sample threads, updating WPS Hide Login resolved a fatal error conflict with the Divi theme.
• Load Order: In rare cases, using a plugin like Plugin Organizer to change the load priority of WPS Hide Login can resolve conflicts.

General Best Practices:

• Always create a recent backup of your site before installing, updating, or changing settings on a security plugin.
• Keep WordPress, your theme, and all plugins updated to their latest versions to ensure maximum compatibility.
• After changing your login URL, use your browser's bookmark feature to save it. Losing access to your login page is a common oversight.

If you continue to experience issues after trying these steps, it is recommended to seek further assistance from your hosting provider or the wider WordPress support community, detailing the specific error messages and steps you have already taken.