Changing a WordPress Database Password on Shared and VPS

This article explains how to change the password for a WordPress database on Shared and VPS hosting accounts. If your website is hosted on Managed WordPress or Podcast Websites, the steps are different. For instructions, see Changing a WordPress Database Password on Managed WordPress and Podcast Websites. 

We recommend taking a backup of your website before making any changes. 

There are two main steps: 

• Change the database password
• Update the wp-config. php file

Both steps must be completed to ensure WordPress can connect to the database. 

Step 1: Find Your Database Information

In order to change your database password, you’ll need to identify which database your WordPress installation is using. If you already know your database details, you can skip to Step 2: Change the Database password.

1. Open your WordPress installation’s wp-config.php file, which is often located in:
   
   usr/home/YOUR_USER/public_html/YOUR_WORDPRESS_WEBSITE
   
2. Locate the following lines:
   
   define( 'DB_NAME', 'database_name' );
   
3. Make a note of the database name

Step 2: Change the Database Password

1. Follow the steps in Changing an ACC Database Password
2. Return to this article once the database password has been changed

Step 3: Update the WordPress Configuration File

1. Open the site’s wp-config.php file using the file manager in the ACC or an FTP client
2. Locate the following line:
   
   define( 'DB_PASSWORD', 'old_password' );

3. Replace the existing password with the new password
   
   define( 'DB_PASSWORD', 'new_password' );

4. Save the file. 

Step 4: Verify Your Site

Make sure your website is still running normally after the update. 

1. Visit your WordPress website
2. Log into the WordPress admin area
3. Confirm pages load normally and site functions as expected