How to Disable or Remove WordPress Plugins: The Ultimate Guide

Managing plugins effectively is one of the most critical tasks for maintaining a smooth-running WordPress website. Whether you're troubleshooting issues or simply cleaning up unused plugins, knowing how to disable or remove WordPress plugins is essential. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore various methods to deactivate, remove, or troubleshoot plugins, and why doing so can be crucial for your site's performance and security. Let's dive in!

What Are WordPress Plugins and Why Do You Need Them?

WordPress plugins are essential tools that extend the functionality of your website. From SEO to security, contact forms to image galleries, plugins enable you to add features without having to write any code. However, over time, you may encounter situations where disabling or removing plugins becomes necessary.

The Difference Between Deactivating and Removing Plugins

Before we get into the methods, it’s important to understand the difference between deactivating and removing plugins.

Deactivating Plugins

Deactivating a plugin turns it off temporarily. It remains installed, but its features will not be active. You can always reactivate it later if needed.

Removing Plugins

Removing a plugin, on the other hand, completely deletes it from your WordPress site. Once removed, it’s gone for good unless you reinstall it.

Key Takeaway:

Deactivate to temporarily disable without removing it.
Remove to permanently delete and free up space.

Why You Should Deactivate or Uninstall Plugins

Many website owners wonder whether to deactivate or completely remove plugins. Here’s why you might want to choose one over the other:

Free up space: Unused plugins still consume resources on your server.
Security: Outdated or vulnerable plugins can be a gateway for hackers. Removing them helps protect your site.
Performance: Too many plugins, especially inactive ones, can slow down your website.

How to Deactivate or Remove WordPress Plugins via WP-Admin Dashboard

The WP-Admin dashboard is the most user-friendly method to manage plugins. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Deactivating Plugins

Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
Navigate to the Plugins section.
Find the plugin you want to deactivate.
Click on Deactivate under the plugin name.

Uninstalling Plugins

From the Plugins page, click Delete under the plugin you want to remove.
Confirm the deletion in the pop-up that appears.

Bulk Deactivating Plugins

If you want to deactivate multiple plugins at once:

Check the boxes next to the plugins you want to disable.
Choose Deactivate from the Bulk Actions dropdown.
Click Apply.

How to Disable Plugins via SFTP

If your website becomes inaccessible due to a plugin issue, you can use SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol) to disable plugins.

Steps for SFTP Plugin Management:

Install an SFTP client (FileZilla is recommended).
Connect to your site using your host’s SFTP credentials.
Navigate to the wp-content folder, and then the plugins folder.
Rename the folder of the plugin you want to deactivate to something like pluginname-deactivate.
Save your changes and close the SFTP client. All plugins will be deactivated.

How to Deactivate a Single Plugin via SFTP

To deactivate a single plugin via SFTP:

Follow the steps above but instead of renaming the entire plugins folder, navigate to the specific plugin’s folder and rename it.

How to Disable Plugins via cPanel

If SFTP isn’t an option, you can use cPanel, a popular hosting management tool.

Steps for Managing Plugins in cPanel:

Log into your cPanel account.
Open the File Manager.
Navigate to wp-content > plugins.
Rename the folder of the plugin you want to deactivate.

After renaming, all plugins will be disabled. You can then reactivate plugins one by one to pinpoint the culprit causing issues.

How to Remove Plugins via phpMyAdmin

For advanced users, phpMyAdmin offers a way to remove plugins directly from the database.

Steps for Database Plugin Removal:

Log into cPanel and open phpMyAdmin.
Select your WordPress database.
Open the wp_options table.
Find and edit the active_plugins entry.
Delete the plugin data to deactivate all plugins.

This method is a last resort if you're unable to access the admin dashboard.

Why You Should Clean Up After Removing Plugins

After deactivating or removing plugins, some leftover files or database entries may still be hanging around. These “orphaned” files can slow down your site or pose security risks. Here's how to clean up:

Delete unused files: Plugins may store data in the uploads folder. Check and delete any leftover plugin folders.
Database cleanup: Use a database optimization plugin to remove orphaned rows from your WordPress database.

Should You Remove Unused Plugins?

Even if inactive plugins don’t directly impact your site’s performance, removing them is generally a good practice for these reasons:

Free up server space.
Reduce security risks.
Keep your WordPress installation clean.

Expert Tip: Keep Your Plugins Updated

Regularly update your plugins to ensure they are compatible with the latest WordPress version and free of security vulnerabilities.

Conclusion

Managing plugins is an essential part of maintaining a healthy WordPress website. Whether you're deactivating plugins temporarily for troubleshooting, or permanently removing them to improve your site’s speed and security, it's a practice that keeps your site running smoothly.

By understanding how to deactivate or remove plugins using the dashboard, SFTP, cPanel, or phpMyAdmin, you can handle any plugin-related issue with ease. Just remember to clean up after yourself to ensure your site remains optimized for performance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What’s the difference between deactivating and removing a WordPress plugin?

Deactivating turns off a plugin but keeps it installed. Removing deletes the plugin from your site entirely.

2. Will deactivating a plugin slow down my site?

No, deactivated plugins don’t impact performance. Only active plugins run on your site.

3. Can I remove a plugin without losing data?

Yes, most plugins don’t store data permanently. However, it's a good idea to check before deleting.

4. How can I troubleshoot plugin issues on my WordPress site?

Start by deactivating all plugins, then reactivate them one by one to identify the problematic plugin.

5. What happens if I delete a plugin?

Deleting a plugin removes it entirely, and you’ll need to reinstall it to use it again.

Recommended Books:

Book - 1. 70 Best Digital Marketing Tools : Unlocking the Power of Modern Marketing Tools

Discover the ultimate toolkit for mastering the digital landscape! This book offers a curated list of 70 powerful tools to enhance your marketing strategies, streamline processes, and achieve impactful results. Whether you're a beginner or a pro, this guide is a must-have for every marketer looking to stay ahead in the competitive world of digital marketing.>>Read More

Purchase Link - [ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DSBJJR97 ]

Purchase Link - [ https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=f2A8EQAAQBAJ ]

Book - 2. Digital Marketing Maestro : Strategies for Success in the Digital Era

A comprehensive guide to mastering the world of digital marketing. Learn strategies for SEO, social media marketing, content creation, and analytics to boost your online presence. This book equips you with tools and techniques to engage your target audience, grow your brand, and achieve measurable success in the competitive digital landscape.

Purchase Link - [ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DS54SY2J ]

Purchase Link - [ https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=AhA8EQAAQBAJ ]

Book - 3. Startup 500 Business Ideas : Your Ultimate Idea Generator for Thriving Ventures

This book provides a treasure trove of 500 innovative business ideas to help aspiring entrepreneurs find their niche. Whether you’re looking to start a small-scale business or aim for a large-scale venture, this guide covers diverse industries, practical insights, and step-by-step approaches to turn your entrepreneurial dreams into reality.

Purchase Link - [ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NQSBQNZ ]

Purchase Link - [ https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=o12IDwAAQBAJ ]

Book - 4. 375 Online Business Ideas : Unlock Your Online Potential: 375 Pathways to Success

Designed for the digital age, this book offers 375 creative and actionable online business ideas. From e-commerce to freelancing, digital marketing, and app development, it serves as a roadmap for anyone looking to build a profitable online business, leveraging technology to tap into global markets with minimal investment.

Purchase Link - [ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CW1BNGRS ]

Purchase Link - [ https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=39n-EAAAQBAJ ]

Book - 5. Startup Service Business Ideas 175 : 175 Innovative Ventures to Ignite Your Entrepreneurial Journey

Discover 175 innovative service-based business ideas to launch your entrepreneurial journey. This book offers actionable insights and guidance for turning your skills into a profitable venture.

Purchase Link - [ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07LC4XGNC ]

Paperback Purchase Link - [ https://www.amazon.com/dp/1791679242 ]

Purchase Link - [ https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=uhCGDwAAQBAJ ]

Book - 6. Startup Merchandising Business Ideas 125 : Unleashing Creativity with 125 Lucrative Business Ideas

This book provides 125 creative ideas for starting a merchandising business. Learn about market analysis, sourcing, and strategies to build a successful retail enterprise.

Purchase Link - [ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07LDW9XG3 ]

Paperback Purchase Link - [ https://www.amazon.com/dp/1791816932 ]

Purchase Link - [ https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=UHuGDwAAQBAJ ]

Book - 7. Startup Manufacturing Business Ideas 200 : 200 Ingenious Business Ideas for Entrepreneurs

Unleash your entrepreneurial potential with 200 innovative manufacturing business ideas. This book covers market trends, production processes, and strategies for building a sustainable enterprise.

Purchase Link - [ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MW8M3V8 ]

Paperback Purchase Link - [ https://www.amazon.com/dp/1795277831 ]

Purchase Link - [ https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=AH2GDwAAQBAJ ]

Book - 8. Business Management (Part 1) : The Art and Science of Effective Business Management

This foundational book covers essential principles of business management, from leadership and strategy to operations and organizational behavior. Ideal for aspiring managers and business professionals, it provides tools to excel in managing businesses effectively.

Purchase Link - [ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0968V8K8C ]

Purchase Link - [ https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=vk0wEAAAQBAJ ]

Book - 9. Business Management (Part - 2) : The Art and Science of Effective Business Management

Building upon the foundations, this book explores advanced concepts in business management, including strategic decision-making, organizational development, and risk management. It’s designed to help business leaders develop actionable plans and stay competitive in an ever-changing environment.

Purchase Link - [ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0968VTNRW ]

Purchase Link - [ https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=oHswEAAAQBAJ ]

Book - 10. Business Management (Part - 3) : The Art and Science of Effective Business Management

This volume delves deeper into specialized topics such as change management, global business strategies, and leadership in diverse cultural contexts. It provides insights and case studies for managing complex business operations effectively.

Purchase Link - [ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0968NZZGQ ]

Purchase Link - [ https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=Q6AwEAAAQBAJ ]

Book - 11. Business Management (Part - 4) : The Art and Science of Effective Business Management

Focusing on operational excellence, this book covers supply chain management, quality control, and customer relationship management. Learn the tools and techniques needed to streamline processes and enhance business performance.

Purchase Link - [ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DSBJJR97 ]

Purchase Link - [ https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=_8kwEAAAQBAJ ]

Book - 12. Business Management (Part - 5) : The Art and Science of Effective Business Management

The final part of the series ties together key concepts, with a focus on sustainability, innovation, and future-proofing businesses. It equips readers with strategies to lead organizations in a rapidly evolving global landscape.