How to Disable/Delete WordPress Themes and Plugins using File Manager & PhpMyadmin?

Most of the time, you’re able to disable WordPress themes/plugins from the Dashboard. However, if you’re unable to access the WordPress Dashboard, you can additionally disable/delete plugins and themes using a couple of other methods as well.

As a part of our technical support service, our technicians invariably try to help our customers’ in the best way.

Now, Let’s discuss the various methods on how to disable WordPress themes/plugins:

Disable/Delete the WordPress Themes using Dashboard, File Manager & phpMyAdmin.

Disable WordPress themes/plugins using the WordPress Dashboard.

1. Login to the WordPress dashboard.
2. Next, click on the “Appearance” and click on the “Theme” to display all the themes installed on your WordPress.

3. If you want to deactivate the current theme and activate the new one, simply click the “Activate” button of the desired theme. This action will automatically disable the current theme.

4. If you want to delete the theme, click on the “Theme Details.” (You can not delete any active themes.)

5. Now, you will shortly be redirected to the new page. Here, click on the “Delete” button to delete the theme.

Change WordPress themes via phpMyAdmin

1. Access the phpMyAdmin.
2. Find your WordPress database from the list and click on the plus sign.

3. Expand the table that ends with the name “Option.”

4. In the “Option” table, search for the template row. Usually, its option_id will be around 40. Next, click on the “Edit” button.

5. Here, change the “option_value” to the theme you want to set. Make sure you enter the exact folder name located inside wp-content/themes that contains the theme. Next, click on the “Go” button to save the required changes.

Remove WordPress themes via File Manager

You can remove WordPress themes from the File Manager as well. Here we have provided instructions on removing themes using the “File Manager” of cPanel (control panel).

1. Log in to the control panel (cPanel / Plesk).
2. Click on the “File Manager” located under the file section.

3. Next, get into the site’s root directory and open the wp-content folder.

4. On this screen, find and open the Themes folder.

5. Once you get into the Themes folder, you can see the List of Themes. Select the theme you want to delete and click on the “Delete” button.

Disable/Delete WordPress plugins from the Dashboard.

1. Login to the WordPress admin area.
2. To disable/delete the plugin, click on the Plugins shown in the below screen capture.

3. From here, you can deactivate or delete the plugins.

Delete WordPress plugins from the phpMyAdmin

This method is used to deactivate all the plugins. However, it does not remove the plugins or any setting of it.

1. Log in to the phpMyAdmin.
2. Find your WordPress Database from the list and click on the plus sign.

3. Expand the table ends with “option.” click on the heading “option_name.” It will make the active_pugin ad first table row. Then click on the “Edit” button.

4. Clear all the text of the option_value tab. Next, click on the “Go” button to save the required changes.

Delete WordPress plugins from the File Manager

You can remove the plugins from the File Manager as well. Here we have provided the instruction to remove the plugin from the File Manager of cPanel.

1. Login to the cPanel.
2. Click on the “File Manager” located under the file section.

3. Next, get into the site’s root directory and open the wp-content folder.

4. Once you get into the wp_content, open the Plugin folder.

Once you get into the plugin’s folder, you can see the different plugins folders. Select the plugin and click on the Delete button to delete it.

Conclusion

Managing plugins and themes in WordPress is crucial for maintaining site performance, security, and appearance. To deactivate, change, or delete a theme or plugin, you can navigate to the Plugins or Appearance tab in the WordPress dashboard. From there, select the theme or plugin you wish to manage and click on the appropriate action.

It’s important to understand that deactivating a theme or plugin doesn’t remove it from your site. To completely remove it, you’ll need to use the file manager. If you plan to change the WordPress theme using the file manager, we’ve provided steps to guide you through the process.

By effectively managing your WordPress site’s themes and plugins, you can ensure its overall health and effectiveness.