Is your WordPress website throwing you out of the admin area unexpectedly? It is not a rare problem with a WordPress website. You may experience an auto-logout issue on your website for several reasons.
The auto-logout problem occurs when WordPress logs you out (unexpectedly) while working on your website.
Why should you fix it immediately?
Well, this error can cause disruptions in your workflow. Sometimes, it can even cause data loss.
Let us see some possible reasons for an auto-logout error and how to resolve it.
Causes of the WordPress Auto Logout Issue
#1 Session Expiration:
WordPress has a default session expiration time, which can log you out after a set period of inactivity.
Incorrect WordPress URL Settings:
If the WordPress Address (URL) and Site Address (URL) settings do not match, login session issues can occur.
Mismatched URLs (like using “https” for one and “http” for the other) can lead to cookie-related problems that result in automatic logouts.
#2 Corrupted Cookies:
Cookies keep you logged into WordPress, and if they are not appropriately set or become corrupted, they can trigger auto logouts.
#3 Security Plugins:
Some security plugins have strict settings that force users to log out after a set time for security reasons.
Security features like session timeouts or inactivity monitoring can log users out unexpectedly.
#4 Cache Issues:
Browser or server cache can interfere with the login session and cause WordPress to log out users automatically.
Cached versions of login pages may not carry the updated session, resulting in the logout issue.
#5 Conflicting Plugins:
Plugins that control login functionality or session management may conflict with each other, causing the auto logout issue.
#6 Browser Settings:
Some browsers have strict cookie policies or security settings that block or expire session cookies too quickly, causing WordPress to log out users.
Firewall or Server Settings:
Some web hosts may have server-level settings that terminate sessions due to inactivity or security policies.
How to Fix the WordPress Auto Logout Issue
Option 1: Check WordPress URL Settings:
- Step 1: Go to the WordPress dashboard. Click Settings > General.
- Step 2: Check the WordPress Address (URL) and Site Address (URL). They should have an exact match (either both “https” or both “http”).
- Step 3: Save the changes and check if the auto-logout issue is resolved.
Option 2: Clear Your Browser Cookies and Cache:
- Step 1: Open your browser’s settings and navigate to the privacy or security section.
- Step 2: Clear cookies and cache related to your WordPress site.
- Step 3: Log back into WordPress and see if the issue persists.
Option 3: Update or Reconfigure Security Plugins:
- Step 1: Review the settings of any security plugins installed on your site.
- Step 2: Check session timeout or inactivity logout options. Adjust the settings according to your preferences.
- Step 3: If the plugin is still causing problems, try temporarily disabling it and see if the problem disappears.
Option 4: Increase Cookie Expiration Time:
- Step 1: Add the following code to your WordPress theme’s functions.php file to increase the cookie expiration time:
add_filter(‘auth_cookie_expiration’, ‘increase_cookie_expiration’);
function increase_cookie_expiration( $expiration ) {
return 60*60*24*30; // 30 days in seconds
}
- Step 2: This code sets the cookie expiration to 30 days, preventing frequent auto logouts.
Option 5: Disable cache plugin
Are you using a cache plugin like “WP Total Cache” on your WordPress site? If yes, you may want to try deactivating it, as a cache plugin can often cause the website to log out users automatically.
Option 6: Check for Plugin Conflicts:
There may be a plugin or several plugins causing auto-logout issues on your website. Follow the simple steps below to identify the faulty plugin.
- Step 1: Deactivate all plugins and see if the logout issue persists.
- Step 2: If the issue is resolved, activate the plugins individually to identify the conflict.
- Step 3: Update or replace the conflicting plugin.
Consult a professional WordPress developer if nothing works for you or if you are unsure how to make the above changes/adjustments to your website.
