Change the admin password in phpBB

What is phpBB?

phpBB is a free program for running a forum. A forum is a website where people post messages and reply to each other. The admin account is the main account that controls the forum. Its password must be strong, because anyone who knows it can take over the board.

Change the password when you know it

1. Open your forum in a browser.
2. Click Login and sign in as the admin.
3. Click your user name at the top right. Choose User Control Panel.
4. Click the Profile tab.
5. Click Edit account settings.
6. In New password, type the new password.
7. In Confirm new password, type it again.
8. In Current password, type the password you use now. phpBB asks for this to prove it is you.
9. Click Submit.

phpBB shows a green message when the change is saved. The next time you open the Administration Control Panel, it may ask for your password again. That is normal.

Tips for a good password

• Use at least 12 characters.
• Mix letters, numbers and symbols.
• Do not use your name, your forum name or a word from the dictionary alone.
• Do not reuse a password from another site.

If you forgot the password

1. Go to the login page of your forum.
2. Click I forgot my password.
3. Type your user name and the email address saved in the account.
4. Click Submit.
5. Open the email from your forum. Click the link inside it.
6. phpBB then sends or lets you set a new password. Follow the page.

If emails do not arrive, check your spam folder. If you still have no email, your forum may not be able to send mail. In that case, open a support ticket. Hostvento support can guide you on safe ways to reset the password in the database.

Quick recap

• Log in, then open User Control Panel, Profile, Edit account settings.
• Enter the new password twice and your current password.
• Click Submit.
• If you forgot it, use I forgot my password.
• Choose a long, unique password.