WordPress / Gravatar username conflict & account recovery issue – HELP!
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I am unable to use the username associated with a WordPress.com subdomain (e.g., abcd.wordpress.com) in Gravatar. When I try to set my Profile URL to “abcd”, I receive the error message: “Sorry, that username already exists!”
The subdomain abcd.wordpress.com was created around June 2014, and I am attempting to create or link a Gravatar account for it now (June 3, 2026). I am trying to understand why this username appears to be unavailable.
I also attempted account recovery using https://wordpress.com/wp-login.php?action=recovery, but it does not work. When I use recovery links from old emails, I receive the error: “The activation key does not appear to be valid.” The password reset codes sent via email also fail when entered in the recovery form.
Nothing I have tried has worked so far, and I need help understanding why these recovery methods are failing and how I can regain access or resolve the username conflict so I can use “abcd” for my Gravatar account.
For reference, here is what the WordPress.com AI assistant said:
The “username already exists” error on Gravatar means the username “abcd” is already claimed — most likely by the WordPress.com account that owns abcd.wordpress.com, which was created back in 2014.
Since your account recovery attempts are also failing (expired activation keys and reset codes are common for very old accounts), the most likely explanation is that the original account exists but is in a state that’s preventing normal recovery.
Since you’re not on a paid plan, I’d recommend reaching out directly to help@wordpress.com — explain both issues (the Gravatar username conflict and the failed account recovery), and include any old email addresses you may have used when creating the site in 2014. They can investigate the account status and help you resolve the username conflict.
I still need urgent help, and I’m keeping this post for future reference so it may also help others.
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This issue has already been answered in the related thread here:
https://wordpress.com/forums/topic/username-marked-as-taken-but-no-public-profile-exists-need-help
To avoid duplicate replies and confusion, we’ll continue the discussion there.
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