Title: Plugin Blocking all access
Last modified: February 27, 2026

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# Plugin Blocking all access

 *  Resolved [ljfent](https://wordpress.org/support/users/ljfent/)
 * (@ljfent)
 * [3 months, 1 week ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-blocking-all-access/)
 * Access to my website suddenly blocked me from logging in; the live sites were
   restricted as well. This included manual login to admin page as well as the link
   from C-panel.
 * By renaming the IP blocker plugin directory all access was restored. I deleted
   the plugin through WordPress and added it back as a new plugin. When I activated
   the new one, all access was again restricted and I all I could do was rename 
   it and delete it again.
 * Without the IP Blocker plugin installed/activated access seems fine, and malware
   scans are clean.
 * Thoughts?

Viewing 2 replies - 1 through 2 (of 2 total)

 *  Plugin Author [IniLerm](https://wordpress.org/support/users/inilerm/)
 * (@inilerm)
 * [3 months, 1 week ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-blocking-all-access/#post-18836300)
 * **Hi [@ljfent](https://wordpress.org/support/users/ljfent/),**
 * Thanks for reaching out, and I’m sorry to hear you’re experiencing a lockout.
   Please don’t worry, your website is completely safe.
 * What you are experiencing is normal behavior when a strict rule is accidentally
   triggered. When you rename the plugin folder, you disable it at the PHP level,
   which restores your access. However, when you delete and reinstall the plugin,
   WordPress keeps the plugin’s settings safely stored in your database. As soon
   as you activate the fresh copy, it reads those old settings and applies the same
   block again.
 * The most common causes for this are:
    1. You had **“Restrict login to Whitelisted IPs”** enabled, and your internet service
       provider assigned you a new IP address.
    2. Your current IP or Country was accidentally caught in a strict security rule(
       like Geo-blocking or the WAF).
 * **How to fix this and start fresh:** Since you cannot access the plugin settings
   to unblock yourself, we need to clear the plugin’s configuration directly from
   the database to perform a true “clean reset”.
 * **Method 1 (Using phpMyAdmin from your cPanel):**
    1. Ensure the plugin is currently deactivated (or the folder is renamed so you 
       can access your site).
    2. Log into your hosting **cPanel** and open **phpMyAdmin**.
    3. Select your WordPress database and navigate to the `wp_options` table.
    4. Search for the row where `option_name` is `advaipbl_settings`.
    5. **Delete** that row.
    6. Now, change the plugin folder name back to normal (or reinstall it) and activate
       it. The plugin will start with its default, safe settings, and you won’t be 
       blocked.
 * **Method 2 (Using a temporary snippet if you don’t want to use the database):**
    1. Keep the plugin folder renamed so you can access your WP Admin.
    2. Install a free “Code Snippets” plugin or temporarily edit your theme’s `functions.
       php`.
    3. Add this single line of code: `delete_option('advaipbl_settings');`
    4. Load your website once (this fires the code and deletes the old settings).
    5. Remove that line of code immediately.
    6. Rename the Advanced IP Blocker folder back to normal and activate it.
 * Once you have access again, make sure to add your current IP to the **Whitelist**
   tab before enabling any strict login restrictions or country blocks!
 * Let me know if this helps you get back in control!
 *  Plugin Author [IniLerm](https://wordpress.org/support/users/inilerm/)
 * (@inilerm)
 * [3 months, 1 week ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-blocking-all-access/#post-18836583)
 * How to Unblock Yourself (Locked Out)
 * [https://advaipbl.com/how-to-unblock-yourself-locked-out/](https://advaipbl.com/how-to-unblock-yourself-locked-out/)
    -  This reply was modified 3 months, 1 week ago by [IniLerm](https://wordpress.org/support/users/inilerm/).

Viewing 2 replies - 1 through 2 (of 2 total)

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to reply to this topic.

 * ![](https://ps.w.org/advanced-ip-blocker/assets/icon-256x256.png?rev=3320247)
 * [Advanced IP Blocker](https://wordpress.org/plugins/advanced-ip-blocker/)
 * [Frequently Asked Questions](https://wordpress.org/plugins/advanced-ip-blocker/#faq)
 * [Support Threads](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/advanced-ip-blocker/)
 * [Active Topics](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/advanced-ip-blocker/active/)
 * [Unresolved Topics](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/advanced-ip-blocker/unresolved/)
 * [Reviews](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/advanced-ip-blocker/reviews/)

 * 2 replies
 * 2 participants
 * Last reply from: [IniLerm](https://wordpress.org/support/users/inilerm/)
 * Last activity: [3 months, 1 week ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-blocking-all-access/#post-18836583)
 * Status: resolved