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How to Safely Remove WordPress Plugins Without Breaking Your Site

Last updated on Aug 08, 2025

How to Safely Remove WordPress Plugins Without Breaking Your Site

**Description:**A step-by-step guide for WordPress users on safely removing plugins from your website hosted with Brixly or any shared hosting provider. This guide covers best practices, troubleshooting methods, and tips for managing plugins to keep your site secure and running smoothly.

Table of Contents

Before You Begin: Preparation and Backups

Before making any changes to your WordPress site, always create a full backup. This ensures you can restore your site in case anything goes wrong.

How to create a backup using cPanel:

  1. Log in to your cPanel account.
  2. Go to Files > Backup or JetBackup (if available).
  3. Download a full website backup and a database backup.
  4. Store these backups securely on your local device.

Tip: Regular backups are a key part of safe WordPress management.

Step 1: Deactivate the Plugin

  1. Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard (/wp-admin).
  2. Go to Plugins > Installed Plugins.
  3. Locate the plugin you wish to remove.
  4. Click Deactivate.

Deactivating ensures the plugin is no longer active before removal.

Step 2: Uninstall the Plugin via WordPress

  1. After deactivation, click the Delete link below the plugin name.
  2. Confirm the deletion when prompted.

WordPress will automatically remove the plugin files from your site.

Step 3: Remove Plugin Files via cPanel or File Manager (If Needed)

Sometimes, plugins don't delete all files (especially if you removed them manually or the uninstall failed).

Using cPanel File Manager:

  1. Log in to cPanel.
  2. Go to Files > File Manager.
  3. Navigate to /public_html/wp-content/plugins/.
  4. Locate the folder of the plugin you want to remove.
  5. Right-click the folder and select Delete.

> **Example:**To remove a plugin called "example-plugin", delete the folder: > > > /public_html/wp-content/plugins/example-plugin >

Step 4: Clean Up Database Entries (Optional)

Some plugins leave behind database tables or options after removal. This usually does not cause errors, but you may want to clean up for performance.

Caution: Only attempt this if you are comfortable using phpMyAdmin, and always back up your database first.

  1. In cPanel, go to Databases > phpMyAdmin.
  2. Select your WordPress database.
  3. Review tables and options related to the plugin (search for the plugin name).
  4. Remove only entries you are certain belong to the deleted plugin.

If unsure, skip this step or consult a developer.

Best Practices for Plugin Management

  • Limit active plugins to those you actually need.
  • Update plugins regularly to avoid security risks.
  • Check plugin compatibility before installing or updating.
  • Read plugin documentation for specific uninstall instructions.
  • Only install plugins from trusted sources (WordPress.org, reputable developers).

Troubleshooting: What If You Encounter Errors?

White Screen or 500 Internal Server Error

  • Restore from backup via cPanel if your site becomes inaccessible.
  • Disable all plugins by renaming the plugins folder:
    1. In cPanel File Manager, go to /wp-content/.
    2. Rename plugins to plugins_old.
    3. Log in to WordPress. Rename the folder back when site access is restored.

Site Functionality Breaks After Removal

  • Some plugins are tightly integrated with your theme or site functions.
  • Restore your backup if critical features break.
  • Consider replacing the plugin with an alternative or fixing the missing functionality.

Plugin Cannot Be Deleted

  • Remove the plugin folder manually via File Manager as described above.

Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: Will deleting a plugin remove all its data?**A: Not always. Some plugins leave database entries or files behind. Manual clean-up may be needed.

**Q: Can I reinstall a plugin after deleting it?**A: Yes. You can reinstall and reactivate a plugin at any time via the WordPress plugin repository.

**Q: What if my WordPress admin is inaccessible?**A: Use cPanel File Manager to disable plugins by renaming the plugins folder, then troubleshoot from there.

**Need further assistance?**If you've followed these steps and still encounter issues, please raise a support ticket with details about your website, the plugin involved, and any error messages. Our support team is here to help!

By following these best practices and steps, you can safely remove WordPress plugins without breaking your site, ensuring a smooth and secure experience on your Brixly hosting account.