Hey Joe, you’re running into two separate, but related issues: WordPress and Jetpack are out of sync with the PHP version your account is using, and Recovery Mode emails are going to the site’s stored admin address, which may be old or blocked, so you’re not seeing them.
Here’s the quickest path to get back in and make edits. First, lower PHP temporarily so the site can load. In your Bluehost account manager open Advanced and use MultiPHP Manager to set the domain to PHP 7.4. This isn’t a long-term fix, just a safe bridge so the dashboard opens with older code. When you can log in again, update WordPress core to the latest, then update plugins and themes, then move PHP back up to 8.1 or 8.2. The error about __autoload points to older code on PHP 8, and the Jetpack_IXR_Client message points to an older Jetpack version on a newer PHP, so updates will resolve both once you’re back in.
If the dashboard still won’t load after changing PHP, disable Jetpack from the file side to break the error loop. In cPanel or the Bluehost File Manager go to wp-content/plugins and rename the jetpack folder to something like jetpack.off. If that doesn’t do it, temporarily rename the entire plugins folder to plugins.off, then reload the site to confirm it comes back. Once you’re in wp-admin, rename folders back and re-activate plugins one by one after they’re updated.
About the missing Recovery Mode email, WordPress sends that to the admin_email saved in the database, not necessarily the address you expect. If an old developer’s email is still in there, you won’t receive anything. After you can access wp-admin, go to Settings → General and confirm the Administration Email Address. If you can’t log in yet but need to change it, you can adjust the admin_email value in the wp_options table via phpMyAdmin. Also check your domain’s email routing or any external mail provider settings to be sure the mailbox exists and isn’t full; if delivery is flaky, add SMTP later with a plugin once the site is stable.
If you just need to reset a password to get moving, try wp-login.php?action=lostpassword with a mailbox you can access. If that still doesn’t arrive, it’s another sign the stored admin email is out of date or mail isn’t configured; the PHP switch and plugin rename steps above are the faster unlocks.
Once you’re back in and updated, bring PHP back to 8.1/8.2, re-enable Jetpack, and clear any persistent cron errors. If the Jetpack fatal error returns only when Jetpack is active, leave it off, update it to the latest, and reconnect it. If you see fresh fatal entries after all updates, copy the newest lines from the error log and we’ll help you pinpoint the exact call that’s failing.
If you’d like us to take a closer look at the account-side logs and PHP settings, we’re happy to help. Just reach out to our support team by phone or chat and they would be happy to assist!
