The file wp-config.php is an important part of a . Created during the WordPress installation process, the file contains database configuration items. That is, it allows WordPress to establish a connection with the database.
However, a webmaster must know how to manage it properly to ensure the security of the site. Without it, your WordPress site would not be able to store and retrieve data from its database.
In this article we will explore the functionality of the file wp-config.php and how to locate it in your WordPress site directory. We will also show you how to edit the file wp-config.php and implement custom settings on your website.
What is the wp-config.php file?
The file wp-config.php it is a configuration file created during the WordPress installation process. Stores database information such as database name, username, password, and host.
In addition to establishing a connection between your WordPress site and its database, WordPress also uses the file wp-config.php to implement advanced settings on the site.
This configuration file is stored in the root folder of your website. Access the wp-config file.php through an FTP client such as or the File Manager of your web hosting. The following example shows the wp-config.php file in the directory /public_html:
In case you need to create the file wp-config.php manually, WordPress provides a call wp-config-sample.php inside the root folder.
This contains all the necessary information, ideal for beginners who are not yet familiar with the file. Note that you should not change the order of the code, as this can cause errors on the site. This is the content of the example file wp-config.php:
WordPress uses PHP constants, which are identifiers for values that cannot be changed when executing a PHP script. These identifiers define the database settings within the file wp-config.php. Each setting comes with instructions, making it easy to use the code template.
Where is the wp-config.php file in WordPress?
To locate the PHP file within the root directory of your WordPress site, use the File Manager provided by your web hosting provider or an FTP client. The next section will show you how to find the file wp-config.php in the , the cPanel and through FTP.
Location of the wp-config.php file in the hPanel
File Manager provides access to all WordPress files, including wp-config.php. This method requires login credentials to your hosting control panel.
This is how you can locate the wp-config.php file in hPanel:
- sail to the File Manager in the section of Records of your hPanel.
- Click on the folder public_html located in the sidebar.
- Scroll down until you find the file wp-config.php.
Location of the wp-config.php file in cPanel
cPanel also comes with a File Manager. Follow these steps to locate the file wp-config.php in cPanel:
- sail to the File Manager in the section of Records of your cPanel.
- Access the folder public_html -> wp from the sidebar.
- Scroll down until you locate the file wp-config.php.
Locating the wp-config.php file via FTP
You can also use an FTP client to find the file wp-config.php. If you need help, we have a tutorial on .
Here’s how to locate the file wp-config.php via an FTP client:
- Gather your FTP credentials from your hosting provider. If your WordPress website is running on ‘s hosting service, this information is available at FTP accountsin the section Records of your hPanel. You can also send an information request to your hosting provider.
- Open FileZilla and enter your FTP credentials. click on quick connect.
- Navigate to the root directory of your site (public_html). The file wp config I should be there.
Relocation of the wp-config.php file
Since your WordPress website configuration file is stored inside the root folder, the file becomes susceptible to malware attacks.
In addition to setting file permissions, we recommend that you relocate the file from its default location to strengthen the security of your WordPress website.
Follow these steps to relocate the file wp-config.php WordPress using the File Manager:
- Locate your file wp-config.php in the root directory of your WordPress website.
- Copy and paste the file wp-config.php in another directory of your choosing. In this example, we will put it inside /public_html/wp-admin/user.
- Rename the new file wp config. The goal is to disguise it as an unimportant file so that hackers don’t recognize it.
- Navigate back to the original file wp config and replace all its content with the following code:
Make sure to replace the directory with the new location of the file, new-wp-config.php with your new filename, and add your own domain.
- That is all. The file wp config original will now serve as a shortcut that redirects your server to the file wp config real.
Sections of the wp-config.php file
As we mentioned earlier, the WordPress wp-config-sample.php can be modified to create a custom configuration for your WordPress website. Therefore, it is important to know the purpose of each section and how to modify it.
This section will provide you with a breakdown of the sections within the file wp config and code snippets to add, for the purpose of advanced WordPress website customization.
MySQL configuration for wp-config.php
The MySQL settings section consists of your WordPress database settings: MySQL hostname, database name, username, and password. We recommend that you change this section if your hosting provider uses an alternate port number or if you move to a different web host.
Here is a snippet of the MySQL configuration section taken from the file wp-config-sample.php:
// ** MySQL settings – You can get this info from your web host ** // /** The name of the database for WordPress */ define( ‘DB_NAME’, ‘database_name_here’ ); /** MySQL database username */ define( ‘DB_USER’, ‘username_here’ ); /** MySQL database password */ define( ‘DB_PASSWORD’, ‘password_here’ ); /** MySQL hostname */ define( ‘DB_HOST’, ‘localhost’ );
All the information requested by this section is available in your hosting control panel. For example, displays the user’s database information in MySQL Databases low section Databases of the hPanel.
WordPress puts the name of your database in the variable DB_NAME during the installation.
Database Character Sets
WordPress configures the database charset and database collation values in the config file. Its purpose is to define the database tables with the appropriate charset settings, such as:
/** Database Charset to use in creating database tables. */ define( ‘DB_CHARSET’, ‘utf8’ ); /** The Database Collate type. Don’t change this if in doubt. */ define( ‘DB_COLLATE’, ” );
By default, WordPress assigns UTF8 as a predefined character set, as it supports all Internet languages, making it ideal for modern data.
Meanwhile, the value of the database layout depends mainly on the character set because it determines how the WordPress database sorts and compares your data.
MySQL automatically assigns the collation value from the database, based on the assigned character set, hence the default value of blank. If your WordPress database uses UTF8then the default collation value is utf8_general_ci.
However, it is possible to manually assign a collation value if the language character set is not the same as those displayed, such as Japanese.
We recommend not…
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