How to Deactivate or Remove a Plugin from Your WordPress Site

Updated: 28 September 2026 · Applies to: WordPress 7.1

Deactivating a plugin switches it off but keeps its files and settings. Deleting removes its files (and, for many plugins, its data).

Steps

1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard (https://yourdomain.com/wp-admin).
2. Open Plugins › Installed Plugins.
3. Click Deactivate under the plugin.
4. To remove it, click Delete (shown after deactivation) and confirm.

Tip: If a plugin breaks your site and you cannot reach the dashboard, rename its folder in wp-content/plugins/ with File Manager or FTP; WordPress then deactivates it.