How to Disable WordPress Plugins (3 Effective Methods)

In this tutorial, we’re exploring three different methods to disable a WordPress plugin.

Whether you’re troubleshooting an issue or simply want to deactivate a plugin temporarily, these methods offer a solution for every skill level.

Method 1: From the Dashboard

This is the simplest method for beginners.

1. Navigate to Plugins: In your WordPress dashboard, go to the ‘Plugins’ section in the left sidebar.
2. Deactivate the Plugin: Find the plugin you wish to deactivate and click the ‘Deactivate’ button.
3. Reactivation or Deletion: The plugin will be deactivated immediately. You can reactivate it or delete it entirely from your site whenever you want.

Method 2: Disable Plugins Via FTP

Why: Easy way to make changes without accessing the database

Disabling a Specific Plugin

Step 1: Accessing the Root Directory

1. Log in to Your Hosting Account or connect via an FTP client.
2. Navigate to the Root Directory where WordPress is installed.

Step 2: Finding the Plugins Folder

1. Locate the ‘wp-content’ Folder and open it.
2. Inside ‘wp-content’, Find the ‘plugins’ Folder. This folder contains all the plugins installed on your WordPress site.

Step 3: Disabling a Plugin (Example: Contact Form 7)

1. Right-click on the contact-form-7 Folder (or any other plugin you wish to disable).
2. Rename the Folder. Add a suffix like “-disabled”. This action deactivates the plugin.

Step 4: Confirming the Plugin Deactivation

1. Refresh Your WordPress Site. You’ll notice that the Contact Form 7 menu is gone, confirming its deactivation.
2. In the ‘Plugins’ Section, you will see a message stating that Contact Form 7 has been deactivated because the plugin file does not exist (due to renaming).

Reactivating a Plugin

1. Remove the Suffix you added to the plugin folder.
2. Save the Changes and refresh your WordPress site.
3. Reactivate the Plugin from the WordPress admin panel. The plugin should be functional again.

Disabling All Plugins

1. Navigate to the ‘wp-content’ Folder.
2. Right-click on the ‘plugins’ Folder and rename it (add a suffix like “-blocked”).
3. Refresh Your Site. All plugins will be deactivated, as indicated by error messages.

Reactivating All Plugins

1. Rename the ‘plugins’ Folder back to its original name by removing the suffix.
2. Refresh Your WordPress Site. All plugins will appear as available.
3. Activate the Plugins either individually or all at once through the WordPress admin panel.

Method 3: Disable Plugins Directly From Your Database

Why: This is particularly useful when you can’t access your site due to an error.

Reminder: Remember, it’s always wise to back up your website before making any changes.

Note: This method is more advanced and involves accessing your site’s database.

Step 1: Accessing Your WordPress Database

First, we’ll access your WordPress database using PHPMyAdmin. The access method varies with different hosts, but generally, you can find PHPMyAdmin in your cPanel.

Step 2: Navigating to the Plugin Information

Once in PHPMyAdmin, select your website database from the left sidebar. WordPress stores plugin data in the wp_options table. Click on this table to view its contents.

Step 3: Identifying Active Plugins

We’re looking for a row named active_plugins under the option_name column. In the corresponding option_value column, you’ll find a serialized string listing all your active plugins.

Step 4: Modifying the Active Plugins Data

Before you change anything, copy the entire string from the option_value field and paste it into a notepad or similar text editor. This is crucial for restoring your plugins later if needed.

Now, we’ll replace this string with a specific snippet that effectively deactivates all plugins. Use this code: a:0:{}. This tells WordPress that there are zero active plugins.

Step 5: Saving Changes

After replacing the string, scroll down and click the ‘Go’ button to save your changes.

Step 6: Checking Your Website

Now, visit your website to see if the problem is resolved. If successful, you should be able to access your dashboard again.

Step 7: Reactivating Plugins Individually

Once you’ve regained access, start reactivating your plugins one by one. If your site breaks after enabling a particular plugin, you’ve identified the culprit causing the issues.

Conclusion

Each of these methods offers a reliable way to disable plugins, from the straightforward dashboard approach to the more technical database and FTP methods.

Choose the one that best suits your comfort level and needs.