How to Disable Login Hints in WP Login Error Messages

By default, WordPress login error messages reveal if the username or password is incorrect. For example:

  • “Invalid username.”

  • “Incorrect password.”

This can help attackers identify valid usernames during brute-force attacks. Disabling or customizing these messages to be generic enhances security by giving less information.

Method 1: Using Code to Customize Login Error Messages

Add this code snippet to your theme’s functions.php file or a site-specific plugin:

function disable_login_hints() {
return __('Invalid login credentials.', 'textdomain');
}
add_filter('login_errors', 'disable_login_hints');

What this does:

  • Overrides the default WordPress login error messages.

  • Always shows the generic message “Invalid login credentials.” regardless of whether the username or password is wrong.

Method 2: Using a Security Plugin

Many security plugins offer an option to disable login hints without coding, for example:

  • Wordfence Security

  • iThemes Security

  • All In One WP Security & Firewall

Check your plugin settings for login security or login error message customization.

Important Notes

  • Customizing login errors improves security but may confuse legitimate users. Consider balancing security and usability.

  • For maximum protection, combine this with other measures like limiting login attempts, two-factor authentication, and strong password policies.

Here’s a simple plugin-ready snippet that disables login hints by always showing a generic error message. You can save this as a .php file and upload it to your /wp-content/plugins/ folder, then activate it from the WordPress admin plugins page.

<?php
/*
Plugin Name: Disable Login Hints
Description: Removes WordPress login error hints and shows a generic error message for all login failures.
Version: 1.0
Author: Your Name
*/function disable_login_hints_plugin() {
return __(‘Invalid login credentials.’, ‘disable-login-hints’);
}
add_filter(‘login_errors’, ‘disable_login_hints_plugin’);

How to use:

  1. Create a file named disable-login-hints.php.

  2. Paste the above code into the file.

  3. Upload it to wp-content/plugins/.

  4. Go to Plugins in your WordPress admin and activate Disable Login Hints.

This plugin overrides the default login error messages with a generic message, helping to improve your site’s login security.

FAQs

Why should I disable login hints in WordPress?
Disabling login hints prevents attackers from knowing whether a username exists or if a password is incorrect, reducing the risk of brute-force or user enumeration attacks.

How can I disable login hints without coding?
Many popular security plugins like Wordfence, iThemes Security, or All In One WP Security & Firewall offer settings to disable or customize login error messages without writing code.

Will disabling login hints confuse my users?
It can make troubleshooting login issues slightly harder because users get a generic error message. Consider informing users about this change or provide password reset options clearly.

Can I customize the generic error message?
Yes, you can customize the message by editing the code snippet’s returned string or via plugin settings if supported.

Is disabling login hints enough to secure my login page?
Disabling login hints is one part of a multi-layered security approach. It’s best combined with measures like limiting login attempts, two-factor authentication, and strong passwords.