diff --git a/backend/src/services/auth.service.js b/backend/src/services/auth.service.js
index fce8583..76e2104 100644
--- a/backend/src/services/auth.service.js
+++ b/backend/src/services/auth.service.js
@@ -33,6 +33,13 @@ class AuthService {
         hash = hash.trim().replace(/^["']|["']$/g, '');
       }
 
+      // Convert PHP's $2y$ to $2a$ for Node.js bcrypt compatibility
+      // $2y$ is PHP-specific and may not be supported by all bcrypt implementations
+      if (hash && hash.startsWith('$2y$')) {
+        hash = '$2a$' + hash.substring(4);
+        logger.debug('Converted $2y$ hash to $2a$ for compatibility');
+      }
+
       // Debug logging for troubleshooting
       logger.debug('Password verification attempt', {
         hashExists: !!hash,
@@ -48,15 +55,16 @@ class AuthService {
       }
 
       // Validate hash format (bcrypt hashes start with $2a$, $2b$, or $2y$)
-      if (!hash.match(/^\$2[aby]\$\d{2}\$/)) {
+      if (!hash.match(/^\$2[ab]\$\d{2}\$/)) {
         logger.error('Invalid bcrypt hash format - hash may be corrupted by environment variable interpolation', {
           hashPrefix: hash.substring(0, 20),
-          expectedFormat: '$2b$12$... or $2y$10$...'
+          expectedFormat: '$2b$12$... or $2a$10$...'
         });
         return false;
       }
 
       const isValid = await bcrypt.compare(password, hash);
+      logger.debug('Password comparison result', { isValid });
       return isValid;
     } catch (error) {
       logger.error('Password verification error', {