How to Fix WordPress Dashboard Access Issues Caused by the 'Clef' Plugin
If you've been locked out of your WordPress dashboard due to an issue with the 'Clef' plugin, don't worry – there are a couple of relatively straightforward solutions you can try to regain access. In this article, we'll walk you through two options to get your WordPress site back under your control.
What is the 'Clef' Plugin?
The 'Clef' plugin was a third-party two-factor authentication solution for WordPress that allowed users to log in to their dashboards using a mobile app instead of a password. It was a popular plugin that promised enhanced security for WordPress sites.
However, in 2017 the company behind Clef announced that they were shutting down the service. This left many WordPress site owners in a difficult situation, as the plugin no longer worked but was still installed on their sites. Attempting to log in to the dashboard would result in an error, effectively locking users out.
Option A: Delete the 'Clef' Plugin Using FileZilla
The first solution we'll look at is using the FileZilla FTP client to directly delete the 'Clef' plugin from your WordPress installation. Here's how it works:
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Download and Install FileZilla: FileZilla is a free, open-source FTP client that allows you to access the file structure of your WordPress site. You can download it from the official FileZilla website.
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Log in to FileZilla: Once you have FileZilla installed, you'll need to log in to your WordPress site using the login credentials provided by your web host or domain registrar.
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Navigate to the Plugins Folder: In the main FileZilla window, you should see a "Site Manager" pane on the left. This is where you can enter your login credentials and connect to your WordPress site. Once connected, navigate to the /wp-content/plugins/
directory.
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Delete the 'Clef' Plugin Folder: Look for the folder named "clef" (or something similar) in the /wp-content/plugins/
directory. Right-click on the folder and select "Delete" to remove it from your WordPress installation.
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Clear Your Browser Cache: After deleting the 'Clef' plugin, you may need to clear your browser cache to ensure that any cached login pages are refreshed. This will help you regain access to your WordPress dashboard.
By removing the 'Clef' plugin folder using FileZilla, you should be able to log in to your WordPress dashboard without any issues.
Option B: Delete the 'Clef' Plugin Using Your Hosting Control Panel
If you're not comfortable using an FTP client like FileZilla, there's another option you can try – deleting the 'Clef' plugin through your web hosting control panel.
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Log in to Your Hosting Control Panel: Access the control panel provided by your web host or domain registrar. This is usually done by visiting a specific URL (e.g., https://example.com/cpanel
) and entering your login credentials.
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Navigate to the File Manager: Look for a "File Manager" or "Web Files" section in your hosting control panel. This is where you can access and manage the files and folders of your WordPress site.
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Locate and Delete the 'Clef' Plugin Folder: In the File Manager, navigate to the /wp-content/plugins/
directory. Locate the folder named "clef" (or something similar) and delete it.
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Clear Your Browser Cache: As with the FileZilla method, you may need to clear your browser cache to ensure that any cached login pages are refreshed, allowing you to regain access to your WordPress dashboard.
Using your hosting control panel to delete the 'Clef' plugin is a viable alternative if you don't have experience with FTP clients like FileZilla. However, the FileZilla method is generally considered more straightforward and universal, as it can be applied to any WordPress installation, regardless of your hosting provider.
Backup Your WordPress Site
Before attempting either of these solutions, it's always a good idea to create a backup of your WordPress site. This will ensure that you can restore your site to a working state in case anything goes wrong during the plugin removal process.
You can use a WordPress backup plugin like UpdraftPlus or BackupBuddy to create a full backup of your site, including the database and all your files. Alternatively, you can use the FileZilla FTP client to download a copy of your entire WordPress installation to your local computer.
Conclusion
If you've been locked out of your WordPress dashboard due to issues with the 'Clef' plugin, the two solutions outlined in this article should help you regain access. Whether you choose to delete the plugin using FileZilla or your hosting control panel, the key is to act quickly and carefully to ensure your WordPress site remains functional and secure.
Remember, if you encounter any issues or have additional questions, don't hesitate to reach out for help. The WordPress community is vast and knowledgeable, and there are many resources available to assist you in troubleshooting and resolving WordPress-related problems.
For more tips and insights on optimizing your WordPress site's performance and security, be sure to check out the resources available at Flowpoint.ai. Our team of experts can help you identify and fix technical issues that may be impacting your website's conversion rates and user experience.
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