Logging out of WordPress properly is an important security measure to prevent unauthorized access to your site. Here is a comprehensive guide on how to logout of WordPress.
Table of Contents
Why You Should Logout of WordPress
Here are some key reasons why you should logout of WordPress instead of just closing the browser:
- Prevents unauthorized access if you are on a shared or public computer
- Clears browser cookies and cache related to your WordPress login session
- Ensures any changes you made are saved before logging out
- Logs you out across all devices if you checked “Remember Me”
Logging out properly protects your site by ending your login session completely.
How to Logout in WordPress Dashboard
Logging out from the WordPress dashboard is simple:
Step 1: Click on Your Username
In the top right of the WordPress dashboard, click on your username where it says “Howdy”. This will open a drop down menu.
Step 2: Click “Log Out”
In the drop down menu, click the “Log Out” option to logout of WordPress.
Step 3: Confirm Logout
A pop-up will appear to confirm you want to logout. Click “Log Out” again to confirm and complete the WordPress logout.
Logging out this way ends your login session properly in the dashboard.
You can also add a logout link directly in your site’s navigation menu:
Step 1: Visit Appearance > Menus
In your WordPress dashboard, go to Appearance > Menus. This is where you manage your site’s navigation menus.
Step 2: Add Custom Link
Click the “+” icon to add a new menu item. Select “Custom Link” from the menu options.
Step 3: Enter Logout URL
In the URL field, enter your website URL followed by /wp-login.php?action=logout to create a logout link.
Step 4: Save the Menu
Give the logout link a label like “Logout” and click Save Menu to add it.
Now your visitors can easily logout from your site’s front-end menu.
How to Auto Logout Idle Users
You can automatically logout idle users after a period of inactivity with a plugin like Inactive Logout.
Here’s how to configure it:
Step 1: Install and Activate Plugin
Search for “Inactive Logout” and click Install. Then click Activate to enable the plugin.
Step 2: Adjust Plugin Settings
Go to Settings > Inactive Logout. Set the “Time Duration” to auto logout users, i.e. after 10 minutes.
Step 3: Save Settings
Add a logout message and click Save Changes. Users will now be automatically logged out after the set time period.
Auto logging out idle users improves security and prevents unauthorized access.
Fix WordPress Keeps Logging Me Out
A common issue in WordPress is getting repeatedly logged out. Here are some troubleshooting tips:
- Clear browser cookies and cache
- Ensure site URL matches WordPress URL in settings
- Disable plugins to check for conflicts
- Contact host in case it’s a server configuration issue
Following these steps will help resolve most cases where WordPress keeps logging you out unexpectedly.
Conclusion
Logging out properly in WordPress is important for security. Manually logging out from the dashboard or adding a front-end logout link provides a quick way to end your login session. Auto logging out idle users also improves security against unauthorized access. Troubleshoot settings if WordPress keeps logging you out.
