How to Delete a Plugin in WordPress?

Deleting a plugin in WordPress is relatively easy. However, it takes a few steps to ensure complete removal. It will also ensure that no remnants of it are left, which can slow down your website. Below is the step-by-step guide.

Backup Your Website

One needs to create a website backup before making any changes to it. It helps you to be capable of reversing the effects if something goes wrong when deleting the plugin. You can use plugins like: 

- UpdraftPlus,

- BackupBuddy

- Manually download your files and database from your hosting control panel.

Deactivate the Plugin

It is also important to note that you cannot delete a plugin directly; you must first disable it. Deactivation suspends the plugin's functionality on your site but does not eliminate its files or settings. To deactivate a plugin:

- Login to your WordPress admin dashboard.

- Go to “Plugins” > “Installed Plugins. ”

- Identify the one you want to remove and click the deactivate link.

Delete the Plugin

After deactivation, you can proceed to delete the plugin by:

- Go back to the “Installed Plugins” page.

- Locate the deactivated plugin.

- Click the “Delete” link below the plugin’s name.

- Confirm the deletion when prompted. WordPress will then remove the plugin files from your server.

Remove Residual Files and Data

Some plugins, even after deletion, might leave behind residual:

- Files

- Folders

- Database entries

Cleaning these remnants can help keep your WordPress installation lean and efficient.

Remove Files via FTP or File Manager

1. Access your website’s files via FTP (a client like FileZilla) or your hosting provider’s file manager.

2. Go to wp-content/plugins/.

3. Ensure the plugin’s folder has been deleted. If it remains, manually delete it.

Clean Up the Database

Plugins sometimes create custom database tables or add rows to existing tables. While many plugins clean up after themselves upon deletion, some do not. To remove leftover database entries, you can: 

- Use a plugin like WP-Optimize

- Manually clean the database via phpMyAdmin

1. Log in to your hosting control panel and access phpMyAdmin.

2. Select your WordPress database.

3. Look for tables or rows that correspond to the deleted plugin and remove them carefully.

Verify Plugin Deletion

After removing the plugin and cleaning up any last files or information, ensuring your website is working successfully and the plugin is deleted is essential.

- You should perform a front-end and back-end check of your site and look for errors or problems.

- You can use tools like GTmetrix or Pingdom to test your site's performance.

- Check to ensure the deletion did not adversely affect the loading time or the general performance.

Additional Tips

- Use a Staging Site

If you are unsure about deleting a plugin or fear its possible consequences for your live site, then it is best to use a staging site. Almost all the hosting providers provide this environment. You can make the changes here before implementing them on the live site.

- Understand the Plugin’s Impact

Before deleting a plugin, understand its impact on your site. For instance, if removing a caching plugin, ensure you have an alternative caching mechanism to maintain site speed.

- Check for Dependencies

Some plugins may rely on others to function correctly. Ensure that the plugin you’re deleting isn’t dependent on another essential plugin or feature on your site.

- Regular Maintenance

Periodically review your installed plugins and remove any that are no longer necessary. This practice helps improve site performance and security. Keep your remaining plugins updated to benefit from the latest features and security patches.

To Sum it Up!

Removing a plugin in WordPress involves more than just clicking the delete button. It’s essential to follow a systematic approach: 

- Backing up your site

- Deactivating the plugin

- Deleting it

- Cleaning up any leftover files or database entries

This way, you guarantee that your site is clean, works well, and is protected from outside threats.