Fix “The Link You Followed Has Expired” Error in WordPress

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This guide presents solutions ordered from quickest and easiest to more complex and time-consuming. Start with the first method and work your way down if the error persists.

Understanding the Error

This error happens when WordPress thinks a form submission is invalid or expired, often due to security measures. It can be caused by various factors, from simple timeouts to more complex server issues.

Solutions (From Easiest to Most Complex)

1. Refresh and Re-login

1. Refresh your browser page.
2. Log in again if asked.
3. Try the action that caused the error again.

2. Clear Browser Data

1. Open browser settings.
2. Find the option to clear browsing data.
3. Select cache and cookies.
4. Clear the data and restart your browser.
5. Log in to WordPress again.

3. Increase WordPress Memory

1. Open wp-config.php via FTP or file manager.
2. Add: define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');
3. Save and test.

4. Verify WordPress URLs

1. Access your database through phpMyAdmin.
2. Find the wp_options table.
3. Check siteurl and home entries.
4. Update URLs if incorrect.
5. Save changes and test.

5. Reset WordPress Salts

1. Go to https://api.wordpress.org/secret-key/1.1/salt/
2. Copy the generated keys.
3. Replace the existing keys in wp-config.php.
4. Save and try logging in again.

6. Disable Security Plugins

1. Access your site via FTP or hosting file manager.
2. Go to /wp-content/plugins/.
3. Rename security plugin folders (e.g., wordfence to wordfence_off).
4. Try accessing the admin area.
5. If successful, reactivate plugins one by one to identify the conflict.

7. Disable all Plugins

1. Rename the /wp-content/plugins/ folder to /wp-content/plugins_old/.
2. Try accessing the admin area.
3. If successful, move plugins back one by one to find the culprit.

8. Switch to Default Theme

1. Rename your current theme folder in /wp-content/themes/.
2. WordPress will switch to a default theme.
3. Test if the error persists.

9. Recreate .htaccess File

1. Rename existing .htaccess to .htaccess_old.
2. Go to Settings > Permalinks in WordPress.
3. Click ‘Save Changes’ to generate a new .htaccess.

10. Check File Permissions

1. Set directories to 755 (or 750).
2. Set files to 644 (or 640).
3. Use FTP client or hosting file manager to adjust permissions.

11. Repair Database

1. Add define('WP_ALLOW_REPAIR', true); to wp-config.php.
2. Visit yoursite.com/wp-admin/maint/repair.php.
3. Run database repair.
4. Remove the line from wp-config.php after repair.

12. Adjust Server Timeout Settings

1. Create or edit .htaccess file in WordPress root.
2. Add:

   php_value max_execution_time 300
   php_value max_input_time 300
   php_value max_input_vars 3000
   php_value memory_limit 256M
   php_value post_max_size 64M
   php_value upload_max_filesize 64M

3. Save and test.

13. Increase PHP Limits

In php.ini or through hosting panel, increase:

• max_execution_time
• max_input_time
• memory_limit
• post_max_size
• upload_max_filesize

14. Check for Malware

1. Use a security plugin or online scanner to check for malware.
2. Remove any detected threats.
3. Change all passwords after cleaning.

15. Check Server Logs

1. Access error logs via hosting panel or FTP.
2. Look for WordPress or PHP related errors.
3. Address specific issues found.

16. Update PHP Version

1. Check current PHP version with your host.
2. Request an update to the latest stable version.
3. Test WordPress admin access after update.

17. Reinstall WordPress Core

1. Download fresh WordPress copy.
2. Replace wp-admin and wp-includes folders.
3. Replace root files except wp-config.php and wp-content.

18. Contact Your Host

If all else fails, your hosting environment might have specific issues. Contact your hosting provider for assistance.

Remember: Always back up your site before making changes!

If these methods don’t fix the issue, consider getting help from a WordPress professional.