Joomla - How To Reset Super Admin Password

Filed under: Content Management Systems » Joomla,

How To Reset Your Lost Joomla Password In 6 Easy Steps

Before we begin, you must have access to your database. If you don't, pass these instructions on to someone that does. It's also a good idea to backup your database before making changes, just in case something goes awry.

Finding The Password

• Log in to your Joomla database (via phpMyAdmin for example)
• Click to edit the _users database (will be preceded by your account name, for example: example_users)
• Edit the entry for where usertype = "Super Administrator" (should be the first record)

Resetting The Password

In the password field you'll notice a string of characters. Joomla uses a one-way encoding method, which means you won't be able to retrieve your old password. However, you will be able to reset the password to a new one using mySQL's built in MD5 function:

UPDATE example_users SET password=MD5('new password') WHERE usertype = "Super Administrator";

Voila - you just successfully reset your Joomla password :) Go to your joomla domain at example.com/administrator and try logging in with the new password. You should be logged in as Super Administrator.