How To Disable Or Delete Plugins / Themes On A Disabled WordPress Site

Summary

This article explains how to deactivate, change or delete themes and plugins on a WordPress site without the dashboard. This may be helpful if you have a plugin or theme that has malfunctioned and caused you to lose access to the dashboard.

Note:Some of these steps will require you to know the name of your WordPress database. If you do not know the name of your WordPress database please see How to Find your WordPress Database first.

• Deactivating a Plugin
• Removing a Plugin Using the File Manager
• Changing the WordPress Theme
• Removing a WordPress Theme

Deactivating a Plugin

These steps explain how to deactive plugins on a WordPress site without the dashboard.

Note: This will deactivate all plugins, however it does not remove the plugin, or its settings.

Accessing phpMyAdmin

1. Log in to your HostMonster cPanel account.
2. Click on the Hosting tab near the top and then cPanel.
3. On the cpanel find the group of icons labled "Database Tools" and click on "phpMyAdmin".
4. Enter your hosting account username and password then press go to login to phpMyAdmin.

Clearing Active Plugins

1. In phpMyAdmin find your WordPress database in the list of databases. In this case our example database is examplec_wo5647.
2. In the list of tables click on the table name that ends with "options".
3. In the options table click on the column heading "option_name" to sort the table rows by name. This should make active_plugins the first table row.
4. Click the edit link on the active_plugins row.
5. Clear out all text in the option_value box.
6. Click the "Go" button at the bottom.

You should get a page indicating that the query was executed. You are finished, all plugins should now be disabled in WordPress.

Removing a Plugin Using the File Manager

Note: This method removes the plugin from your website. You will have to reinstall it before you can use the plugin again.

1. Login to your HostMonster account.
2. Click on the hosting tab near the top.
3. Click cpanel.
4. On the cpanel find the group of icons labled "File Management" and click on "File Manager".
5. You may get a popup asking you to select the directory you want to start in. Choose the "Document Root for:" option and select the website you want to remove a plugin from.
6. Make sure you are in the directory for your WordPress site, then go to the wp-content folder.
7. Open the plugins folder.
8. Find the plugin folder you wish to remove then right click on it and select delete.

The plugin is now removed from your WordPress installation.

Changing the WordPress Theme

These instructions will explain how to change the theme setting in WordPress without the WordPress dashboard.

Accessing phpMyAdmin

1. Login to your HostMonster account.
2. Click on the hosting tab near the top.
3. Click cpanel.
4. On the cpanel find the group of icons labled "Database Tools" and click on "phpMyAdmin".
5. Enter your hosting account username and password then press go to login to phpMyAdmin.

Change the Theme Setting in phpMyAdmin

1. In phpMyAdmin find your WordPress database in the list of databases. In this case our example database is examplec_wo5647.
2. In the list of tables click on the table name that ends with "options".
3. In the options table locate the rows for template and stylesheet. They are usually on the second page and their option_id will be around 40.
4. Click edit to change both the theme and stylesheet's option_value to the theme you wish to use. This should be the exact, case sensitve name of the folder inside wp-content/themes that contains the theme you want to use.
5. Click the "Go" button.

The theme should now be set to your chosen theme.

Removing a WordPress Theme

Note: This method removes the theme from your website. You will have to reinstall it before you can use the theme again.

1. Login to your HostMonster account.
2. Click on the hosting tab near the top.
3. Click cpanel.
4. On the cpanel find the group of icons labled "File Management" and click on "File Manager".
5. You may get a popup asking you to select the directory you want to start in. Choose the "Document Root for:" option and select the website you want to disable plugins for.
6. Make sure you are in the directory for your WordPress site, then go to the wp-content folder.
7. Open the themes folder.
8. Find the folder theme you wish to remove then right click on it and select delete.

The theme should now be removed from your WordPress website.

Knowledgebase Article 293,540 views bookmark

share

Share or save this via:

• E-mail
• Twitter
• Google Bookmarks
• Facebook
• MySpace
• Digg
• Reddit
• Bookmark
• Delicious
• LinkedIn
• StumbleUpon

tags: access dashboard deactivate disable plugin plugins theme themes wordpress

Recommended Help Content

How To Delete Or Uninstall A WordPress Theme - Step By Step Guide

How to Delete or Uninstall a WordPress Theme

Knowledgebase Article 313,643 views tags: deactivate disable plugins security themes wordpress

How To Install A New WordPress Theme - Manual Theme Installation

Install Themes These steps will help you install and select a WordPress theme for your blog. Inside the WordPress Dashboard, select the Add New Themes link in the Appearance Menu. You can search for

Getting Started Article 849,349 views tags: install link theme themes wordpress

How To Login To WordPress Site - WP Admin Access

This article will explain how to login to a website created with WordPress.

Knowledgebase Article 642,046 views tags: access admin change dashboard edit login site wordpress

Related Help Content

The HostMonster Marketplace helps you browse, purchase, install, and manage WordPress themes, plugins, and add-ons directly from your HostMonster.com dashboard. Choose from over 900 premium WordPress themes, dozens of WooCommerce eCommerce plugins and add-ons, and even professional ser

Knowledgebase Article 103,741 views tags: Marketplace install marketing plugins purchase setup themes wordpress

Logging in and Using WordPress: Installing Plugins

Install Plugins These steps will help you install and select a WordPress plugin for your blog. Inside the WordPress Dashboard, select the Add New link from the Plugins menu. You can search for a plug

Getting Started Article 356,505 views tags: blog install link plugin wordpress

WordPress - What are Premium Themes?

A free theme can be a good fit if your goal is to simply run a blog. Consider a premium theme if you plan to have more functionality and/or flair, such as an eCommerce site.

Knowledgebase Article 96,456 views tags: Marketplace premium themes wordpress

There are multiple different ways you can install a theme you have purchased for your WordPress site. This article will explain our two recommended methods for installation.

Knowledgebase Article 108,173 views tags: auto automatic certified download install manual premium themes update upload wordpress

When you purchase a theme subscription you get access to Seller Support, the Theme Seller’s support forum. From there you can contact the theme developer for help with general theme-related issues.

Knowledgebase Article 79,618 views tags: author seller support themes wordpress

The first step in the process requires a WordPress theme, preferably one that includes a one-click demo import. Any of the HostMonster Certified Themes on HostMonster should come with this feature.

Knowledgebase Article 96,953 views tags: MOJO Marketplace demo install press setup theme word wordpress

WordPress - Getting Started with Themes

This guide will walk you through getting your WordPress theme set up so that you can quickly get to the fun part - customizing your site!

Knowledgebase Article 91,262 views tags: demo guide setup theme wordpress

Change WordPress URL's With WordPress Tools

This article will explain how to change the Site URL or Home URL setting in WordPress. This may be useful if you have moved your WordPress site or are planning to move your WordPress site.

Knowledgebase Article 274,566 views tags: home site url wordpress wordpresstools