Urgent PHP Admin Login Fix

I am locked out of the admin area of my PHP-based project. Each time I enter the correct credentials I receive an “Incorrect password” message, even though I have full access to the email account tied to the login. The panel uses a straightforward email-and-password authentication flow—no two-factor or external SSO—so the problem is likely in the password validation logic, database record, hash comparison, or session handling.

Your task is to diagnose the exact cause and restore access quickly, without disturbing other parts of the application. Once I can log in successfully, I’d like a brief note explaining what went wrong and how you fixed it so I can avoid a repeat issue.

Deliverables
• Repaired login functionality (email + password works from my end)
• Short summary of the root cause and the code or database changes applied

Acceptance criteria: I can reach /admin, submit my email and password, and enter the dashboard without errors.