Q. I locked myself out with brute force protection
A. You can either wait for the lockout period to expire or temporarily disable the plugin to regain access.
Recovery Methods
Method 1: Wait for the Lockout to Expire
The lockout will automatically be lifted after the configured duration (default: 15 minutes). Wait while checking the time in another tab or browser.
Method 2: Disable the Plugin
If you need immediate access, connect to your server via FTP/SFTP and rename the /wp-content/plugins/sentinel-security folder to disable the plugin. Log in via the default /wp-login.php, then rename the folder back and reactivate the plugin.
Method 3: Access from a Different IP Address
You can log in using an IP address that hasn't been locked out by connecting from a different network, such as tethering from your smartphone.
Preventive Measures
- Add your office or home static IP address to the allowlist. IPs on the allowlist are exempt from brute force protection
- Review the attempt limit setting (the default of 5 attempts can be increased if you frequently mistype your password)