Table of contents

1. Clear your browser cache and cookies2. Test the page in incognito or private browsing mode3. Disable caching plugins temporarily4. Check your theme and plugin compatibility5. Reset permalink settings6. Try using your host’s password protection or disable it7. Contact your hosting provider8. Try a different password protection plugin (if using one)What to do if the password is accepted but the page reloadsNext stepsAdditional resources

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WordPress Guide → Errors → Password Protected Page

Fixed: WordPress error on password protected page

A WordPress password protected page that doesn’t work properly can leave you and your visitors confused. Whether the page keeps reloading, doesn’t accept the correct password, or never prompts for one at all, here’s how to fix it step by step.

1. Clear your browser cache and cookies

Browsers often store cached versions of pages and site cookies that manage login or password sessions. If either becomes outdated or corrupted, your protected page might not display correctly.

🗄 Start by clearing your browser’s cache and cookies. In Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data and select “Cookies and other site data” plus “Cached images and files.”

Try reloading the page after clearing. If it loads as expected and accepts the password, your browser was likely the issue.

Some users also report success after closing and reopening their browser completely.

2. Test the page in incognito or private browsing mode

Private browsing disables most cookies, cached files, and browser extensions—making it a great way to isolate problems.

🫣 Open your site’s password protected page in an incognito (Chrome) or private (Firefox/Safari) window.

If it works here but not in your regular window, something in your browser setup is likely interfering.

Start by checking for ad blockers, privacy-focused extensions, or settings that block cookies. Disabling those one at a time can help you pinpoint the conflict.

3. Disable caching plugins temporarily

Caching plugins can interfere with password protection by serving a static version of the page—one that skips the password prompt.

🔌 Temporarily deactivate your caching plugin by going to Plugins > Installed Plugins and clicking “Deactivate.”

If the password field now works correctly, your caching plugin is the culprit.

To fix it without disabling caching completely, configure your plugin to exclude the password protected page. Most plugins offer a setting for page-level cache exclusions under “Page Rules” or “Exclude URLs.”

4. Check your theme and plugin compatibility

Some themes or plugins might override core WordPress behavior, especially those that handle content visibility or login rules.

💔 Switch to a default WordPress theme like Twenty Twenty-Four. If the issue disappears, your theme’s template may be skipping the password form.

Next, deactivate all plugins. Reactivate them one at a time and test your page after each activation. When the issue returns, you’ve found the plugin that’s causing the conflict.

Pay close attention to page builders, membership plugins, or content restriction tools—they’re often responsible for these types of conflicts.

5. Reset permalink settings

Broken or outdated permalink rules can prevent WordPress from correctly identifying your page’s access type.

🔄 Go to Settings > Permalinks in your WordPress dashboard. Don’t change any settings—just click the “Save Changes” button. This refreshes your site’s rewrite rules.

Visit the password protected page again and test. This often resolves issues without needing further changes.

6. Try using your host’s password protection or disable it

Some hosting providers allow you to password protect pages or directories using server-level tools like cPanel or .htaccess. These tools can conflict with WordPress’s built-in password protection.

🔑 If you’re using your host’s password protection (like a “Directory Privacy” tool), disable it and rely on WordPress’s built-in feature instead.

Or, if WordPress’s password protection isn’t working, try applying a password at the server level and see if that meets your needs.

You should only use one method at a time to avoid layering conflicts.

7. Contact your hosting provider

In some cases, server-level settings might be interfering with how passwords are handled—especially if your site uses advanced caching or security rules.

🤝 Reach out to your host’s support team and explain the issue. Include the affected page’s URL, whether the password prompt appears, and what happens when you enter the password.

Ask them to check for security features like mod_security, server caching, or firewall rules that might interfere with session cookies or form submissions.

8. Try a different password protection plugin (if using one)

If you’re using a third-party plugin to password protect content, try switching to a different plugin—or use WordPress’s built-in method instead.

🆕 Plugins like Password Protected and Content Control are well-rated and simple to test.

Some plugins add extra features like role-based access, time-based passwords, or redirects. These can also introduce extra points of failure.

Start simple: use a built-in WordPress password on a new page and confirm that it works before layering on plugin-based controls.

What to do if the password is accepted but the page reloads

One of the most frustrating issues is when a password seems to be accepted but the page reloads without showing the content. No error. But also no access.

This behavior usually means a cookie wasn’t saved or the theme is redirecting improperly.

Start by clearing cookies and disabling caching, as covered earlier.
Then check your theme’s page.php or template file to make sure it includes the_content()—that’s how WordPress outputs the protected content after a password is entered.

If you’re using a custom page template, try switching to the default one and testing again.

Next steps for fixing WordPress password protected pages

WordPress password protected pages are simple in theory but can break due to browser behavior, caching, plugin conflicts, or even hosting restrictions. Fixing them usually means checking each layer step-by-step.

Still stuck? Try creating a fresh password protected test page and go through the troubleshooting list again—this helps isolate whether the issue is with that specific page or your broader setup.

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