Deactivating vs deleting plugins
Understand the difference between deactivating and deleting a WordPress plugin, and when to use each option.
- Difficulty
- Beginner
WordPress gives you two ways to turn off a plugin: deactivate or delete. They sound similar but they do very different things. Choosing the wrong one could cause headaches.
Quick summary
Deactivate turns a plugin off but keeps it installed — easy to reverse. Delete removes the plugin and its files permanently. Use deactivate when troubleshooting or taking a temporary break. Delete only when you're certain you'll never need the plugin again.
The difference at a glance
| Deactivate | Delete | |
|---|---|---|
| Plugin files removed? | No | Yes |
| Plugin settings saved? | Usually yes | Sometimes no |
| Can you reverse it? | Yes — just reactivate | Only by reinstalling |
| Feature stops working? | Yes | Yes |
| When to use | Troubleshooting, temporary pause | Permanent removal, cleanup |
What happens when you deactivate
When you deactivate a plugin:
- Its code stops running. The feature it powers disappears from your site.
- The plugin's files stay on your server. So does most of its saved data.
- You can reactivate it instantly. In most cases everything comes back as it was.
Deactivation is the safe choice when you're not sure. It's reversible. Use it when you want to troubleshoot a problem, pause a feature temporarily, or test whether a plugin is causing a conflict.
Some plugins remove data when deleted
Some plugins delete their stored data when you delete them. If that plugin managed important content (forms, products, settings), those could be lost. WordPress warns you: its confirmation asks whether you're sure you want to delete the plugin "and its data". Check the plugin's documentation before deleting.
What happens when you delete
When you delete a plugin:
- Its files are permanently removed from your server.
- Plugins that include a clean-up routine also remove their settings and data at this point. Others leave their settings behind.
- To get the plugin back, you'd need to reinstall it from scratch and reconfigure it.
Delete when you're confident the plugin is no longer needed and you want to keep your site clean. WordPress's own security guide advises deleting plugins you aren't using, even when they're deactivated.
How to deactivate a plugin
Go to Plugins → Installed Plugins in your WordPress dashboard.
Find the plugin you want to turn off.
Click Deactivate under the plugin name. The page refreshes and the plugin is now off.
To reactivate
The plugin will now show an Activate link instead of Deactivate. Click it anytime to turn the plugin back on.
How to delete a plugin
You must deactivate a plugin before you can delete it.
Deactivate the plugin (see above).
Click Delete under the plugin name. A confirmation message appears. If it asks about deleting the plugin "and its data", the plugin's saved data will go too.
Confirm the deletion. The plugin and its files are removed.
Deleting multiple plugins at once
Check the boxes next to all the plugins you want to delete. (They must already be deactivated — you cannot delete an active plugin.)
Open the "Bulk actions" dropdown at the top of the list and select Delete.
Click Apply, then confirm. WordPress removes all selected plugins, along with any data those plugins are set to delete.
When to use each
Use Deactivate when:
- A plugin update broke something and you need to switch the plugin off quickly (deactivating doesn't undo the update)
- You're troubleshooting a site problem
- You want to temporarily hide a feature
- You're not sure if you'll need the plugin later
Use Delete when:
- You've replaced a plugin with a better one and no longer need the old one
- You're cleaning up your site and removing features you'll never use
- Your developer told you to remove it
- A security advisory says to remove it immediately
Common questions
Will deactivating a plugin affect what visitors see?
Yes, if the plugin powers a visible feature. For example, deactivating a contact form plugin means your contact forms stop working. The page may look empty or broken where the form was.
I deleted a plugin and now the site looks broken — what do I do?
Reinstall the plugin from Plugins → Add Plugin, then contact us. If the plugin managed important content and that content is gone, you may need to restore from a backup. This is why we always recommend having a backup before making changes.
Is it bad to have lots of deactivated plugins sitting there?
A small number is fine. A large pile of unused plugins is worth cleaning up. WordPress's security guide says to delete plugins you aren't using, and a long list is harder to manage. If you're not using it, delete it.
Why can't I delete a plugin without deactivating first?
WordPress only shows the Delete link for inactive plugins, so a plugin can't be deleted while it's running. Deactivating first is a built-in safety step.
Related guides
- What are plugins?
- How to install a plugin
- How to update plugins safely
- How WordPress backups work
- Fixing the "white screen" error
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