How to Recover a Hacked WordPress Site

WordPress is a powerful platform, but it’s also a common target for hackers. A hacked site can cause loss of traffic, revenue, and credibility. If your WordPress site gets hacked, acting quickly is crucial.

This guide explains how to recover a hacked WordPress site step by step, so you can restore it safely and prevent future attacks.

1. Stay Calm and Assess the Situation

• Determine the type of hack: malware, defacement, spam injections, or admin takeover.

• Don’t panic—immediate, careful action prevents further damage.

• Take screenshots or notes of the issues for reference.

2. Put Your Site in Maintenance Mode

• Prevent visitors from accessing your hacked site while you fix it.

• Use a plugin like WP Maintenance Mode or SeedProd.

• This prevents spreading malware or spam to users.

3. Change Your Passwords

• Update passwords for all accounts: WordPress admin, hosting, FTP, and database.

• Use strong, unique passwords.

• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for extra security.

4. Backup Your Hacked Site

• Even a compromised site should be backed up before changes.

• Use a plugin like UpdraftPlus or BlogVault.

• This allows you to revert if recovery steps go wrong.

5. Scan and Remove Malware

• Use security plugins to detect malicious code:

  • Wordfence Security – Scan files, themes, plugins.

  • Sucuri Security – Detect malware and blacklist issues.

• Remove suspicious files or replace them with clean copies.

• Check the wp-config.php and .htaccess files for unauthorized modifications.

6. Restore from a Clean Backup

• If you have a backup from before the hack, restore your site.

• Make sure the backup is malware-free.

• Test the restored site on a staging environment if possible.

7. Update WordPress, Themes, and Plugins

• Update your WordPress core to the latest version.

• Update all plugins and themes to patch vulnerabilities.

• Delete unused plugins and themes—they can be exploited.

8. Harden Your WordPress Security

After recovery, secure your site to prevent future attacks:

• Install a security plugin (Wordfence, iThemes Security, or Sucuri).

• Limit login attempts and use a custom login URL.

• Enable SSL (HTTPS) to encrypt data.

• Regularly backup your site.

9. Check Google and Search Engines

• Submit your site to Google Search Console to check for blacklisting.

• Request a review if your site was flagged for malware.

• Monitor rankings and traffic to ensure recovery is complete.

10. Consider Professional Help

• If your site is heavily compromised, consider hiring experts like Sucuri or Wordfence remediation services.

• Professional cleanup ensures all malware and backdoors are removed safely.

FAQ

Q: How long does it take to recover a hacked site?
It depends on the severity of the hack—anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days.

Q: Can I recover my site without a backup?
Yes, using security plugins and manual cleanup, but having a backup is faster and safer.

Q: Will my site ranking be affected after a hack?
If malware was detected by Google, your site may be temporarily flagged. Proper cleanup and submitting for review can restore rankings.

Q: How can I prevent future hacks?
Keep WordPress, themes, and plugins updated, use strong passwords, install security plugins, and enable backups.

Q: Is it safe to continue using the same hosting after a hack?
Yes, if the host has strong security measures. In severe cases, migrating to a secure hosting provider may be safer.

👉 Recovering a hacked WordPress site requires patience and careful action, but with the right steps, you can restore your website, secure it, and prevent future attacks.