How to Delete Plugins from the Plugin Folder in cPanel: A Step-by-Step Guide

Deleting plugins directly from the plugin folder in cPanel is a task that WordPress administrators might need to undertake for various reasons, ranging from troubleshooting issues to manual plugin removal when the WordPress dashboard is not accessible. This guide will walk you through verifying the plugin name, folder name, and ensuring that the plugin is indeed deleted. We’ll also delve into why users might need to delete a plugin and how to pull errors from WordPress to troubleshoot issues. Let’s get started.

Verifying the Plugin Name and Folder Name

Before proceeding with deletion, it’s crucial to identify the correct plugin folder. Plugin names and their corresponding folder names can be found within your WordPress dashboard under the “Plugins” section. Each plugin is stored in its unique directory within the wp-content/plugins directory of your WordPress installation.

  1. Login to your WordPress Dashboard.
  2. Navigate to the “Plugins” section to see a list of installed plugins.
  3. Locate the plugin you wish to delete and note its name.

If you cannot access your WordPress dashboard, you can use an FTP client or the File Manager in cPanel to access the wp-content/plugins directory. The folder name typically matches the plugin’s slug on the WordPress plugin repository, but if you’re unsure, you can open the plugin’s main PHP file within the folder to confirm the plugin’s name by looking for the plugin header information.

How to Delete the Plugin from the Plugin Folder

Via cPanel:

  1. Log in to cPanel and open the File Manager.
  2. Navigate to the public_html or the root directory of your website, then to wp-content/plugins.
  3. Locate the plugin’s folder you wish to delete.
  4. Right-click on the folder and select Delete. Confirm the deletion.

Verifying Deletion:

Refresh the directory listing in the File Manager or your FTP client to ensure the plugin’s folder is no longer present. Additionally, you can check your WordPress dashboard under “Plugins” to see if the plugin has been removed from the list.

Why Delete a Plugin?

Users may need to delete plugins from the plugin folder directly in cPanel for several reasons:

  • Troubleshooting: To identify and resolve conflicts or issues caused by a specific plugin.
  • Accessibility: The WordPress dashboard is inaccessible due to errors or conflicts.
  • Performance: To remove unused or outdated plugins that could slow down the website.
  • Security: To eliminate vulnerabilities associated with outdated or insecure plugins.

Pulling Errors from WordPress

To troubleshoot issues that might necessitate deleting a plugin, you can enable WordPress debugging by adding the following lines to your wp-config.php file:

define( 'WP_DEBUG', true );
define( 'WP_DEBUG_LOG', true );

This will log errors to a file named debug.log within the wp-content directory, helping you pinpoint issues related to plugins.

Summary of Steps:

  1. Verify the plugin name and folder.
  2. Log in to cPanel and open File Manager.
  3. Navigate to wp-content/plugins.
  4. Locate and delete the plugin’s folder.
  5. Refresh to verify the deletion.
  6. Optionally, check WordPress for error logs to troubleshoot issues.

Deleting plugins directly from the plugin folder should be done with caution and typically as a last resort or part of troubleshooting steps. Always ensure you have a backup of your site before making any changes. By following the steps outlined above, you can manage your WordPress plugins effectively through cPanel, maintaining your site’s health and performance.

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