How to Install, Update and Remove WordPress Plugins Print

Plugins add features to WordPress, from contact forms to caching. This article shows you how to install, update, deactivate and remove them, and what to do if an update breaks your site. Only install plugins you need, from sources you trust, and keep them up to date.

Install a plugin from the WordPress directory

1. In the WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins › Add New Plugin.
2. Search for the plugin by name or by what it does.
3. Check the details: recent updates, active installations and compatibility with your WordPress version are good signs.
4. Click Install Now, then Activate.

Many plugins add their own menu or settings page once activated.

Upload a plugin zip file

For premium plugins, or ones you've downloaded elsewhere:

1. Go to Plugins › Add New Plugin and click Upload Plugin.
2. Click Choose File, select the plugin's .zip file and click Install Now.
3. Click Activate Plugin.

If the upload fails because the file is too large, raise upload_max_filesize and post_max_size; see change PHP limits.

Update plugins

1. Go to Plugins › Installed Plugins. Plugins with an update show a notice underneath.
2. Click update now on a plugin, or tick several and choose Update from Bulk actions.

You can also click Enable auto-updates next to a plugin so it updates itself.

Reinstall a plugin that isn't working

To replace a plugin's files without losing its settings, download a fresh copy of its .zip and upload it as above. WordPress notices the plugin is already installed and offers Replace current with uploaded. Settings are stored in the database, so they're kept.

Deactivate and delete a plugin

1. Go to Plugins › Installed Plugins.
2. Click Deactivate under the plugin. It stops running but stays installed.
3. To remove it completely, click Delete and confirm.

Delete plugins you no longer use rather than leaving them deactivated; old plugin code can still be a security risk.

Manage plugins from cPanel

WordPress Toolkit in cPanel can install, update, activate, deactivate and delete plugins without logging in to WordPress, which is useful when the dashboard won't load. Open WordPress Toolkit, click your site and go to Plugins. See WordPress Toolkit.

If an update breaks your site

• Deactivate the plugin that was just updated, from WordPress Toolkit if you can't reach the dashboard.
• Or, in Files › File Manager, rename the plugin's folder in wp-content/plugins; WordPress then treats it as deactivated.
• Read why a site breaks after a WordPress update for a full step-by-step.

Our free plugins

We publish a set of free plugins for HTTPS fixes, admin security, form spam, caching and geolocation. See the EDZNET WordPress plugin suite.