10 Ways to Fix the “Sorry, You Are Not Allowed to Access This Page” Error in WordPress

While working on your WordPress site, encountering the “Sorry, you are not allowed to access this page” error can be frustrating. In this article, we’ll provide you with a variety of tried-and-tested methods for fixing this error.

What Causes the Error?

When making changes to your WordPress site, you may encounter this error due to a security or permissions issue. It can be caused by discrepancies in data communication, mismatched credentials, or using an outdated version of PHP.

1. Revert Your Site to the Pre-Error State

If you know the last change that caused the error, revert it. Remove the responsible theme or plugin or restore an older version using a plugin like WP Rollback.

2. Use WP_DEBUG to Get a List of Errors

Enable the WordPress debug mode to see PHP errors on your site’s pages. This can help you identify the cause of the error. You can also check the debug log for a consolidated view of errors.

3. Review Your Error Log

Check your server’s error log to narrow down potential causes of the error. Consult your hosting provider’s guidelines to access and review the error log.

4. Retrieve Plugin Security Notifications

If you have a security plugin that sends email alerts, check for notifications related to the error. Plugins like WP Security Audit Log can help track activities on your site.

5. Check Your File Permissions

Incorrectly configured file permissions can cause this error. Use your hosting provider’s tool or FTP to fix file permission issues. Directory permissions should be set to 755, while file permissions should be set to 644.

6. Deactivate All Themes and Plugins

A newly-installed or updated theme or plugin can trigger the error. Deactivate all plugins and themes, and reactivate them one by one to identify the culprit.

7. Manually Reset Your .htaccess File

If none of the previous methods work, reset your .htaccess file. Rename it, create a new file with the default WordPress code, and upload it to your site.

8. Upgrade Your Site’s PHP to the Latest Version

An outdated PHP version can cause the error. Upgrade to the latest version after ensuring compatibility and backing up your site.

9. Check Your Database Prefix

If you migrated your site, a database table prefix discrepancy may be the cause. Check the prefix value in your wp-config.php file and compare it to your database. Correct any discrepancies.

10. Export or Reset Your WordPress Site

If all else fails, export your site to a new WordPress installation or reset your site completely. Make sure to back up your content before resetting.

Conclusion:

With the troubleshooting methods provided in this article, you can resolve the “Sorry, you are not allowed to access this page” error in WordPress. Feel free to share your questions or solutions in the comments section below.

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