Cannot log in – I get invalid username when I know it’s the right username

Assuming you’ve tried Resetting Your Password with no success, here’s some things to try:
1. logout or logout with https://www.yourdomain.com/wp-login.php?loggedout=true
2. clear cookies and cache (or any cache)
3. exit browser
4. make sure local firewall is not causing problem
5. login with https://www.yourdomain.com/wp-login.php
6. disable all plugins–if necessary read How to deactivate all plugins when not able to access the administrative menus?
7. temporarily rename .htaccess if possible

If WordPress is installed in something other than the root folder please take that into account for the above url examples

Please let us know what does solve your problem.

MichaelH, Thanks for the help. None of the above worked. I tried it all twice to make sure. Ran my antivirus scan to make sure I didn’t pick up anything too.

Is there anything else I can try?

Thanks.

Well there is trying a manual upgrade to 2.7.1 (see Upgrading WordPress). Backup your files and database before starting (see WordPress Backups).

There is the idea of changing the $table_prefix in wp-config.php and doing a new install: https://www.karenshanley.com/blog/wp-admin/install.php

I did the upgrade and that didn’t solve the problem.

I don’t understand what you mean regarding changing the “$table_prefix in wp-config.php”. I can find the wp-config.php file, but what is a “$table_prefix”?

Thanks.

If you have a backup (I save daily my .xml files in Manage – Export), then install a new WP with new DB and import the .xml file.
My access failed once, after my provider had updated PHP and SQL. I re-installed and it worked.

I don’t understand what you mean regarding changing the “$table_prefix in wp-config.php”. I can find the wp-config.php file, but what is a “$table_prefix”?

Just noting that this idea will cause a new install.

In your wp-config.php there’s a $table_prefix variable, that if you change say from wp_ to wp_new_ WordPress will install a NEW set of tables with that prefix.

Thanks MichaelH and Ben. When all your recommendations didn’t work, I called my web site host which comes with WP blogs. Seems my site was hacked and that seems to be the problem. They’re going to try to resolve it on their end. The database and backups are there, but so far they’re not having any luck importing anything. Fingers crossed…

Thanks again for all the help. I truly appreciate it.