Introduction
Sometimes a plugin can cause problems that prevent you from accessing either your website or the WordPress administration area.
Common symptoms include:
- White screen errors
- Login problems
- Website crashes
- Error messages after plugin updates
- Administration area not loading
This guide explains how to disable a WordPress plugin when you cannot log into WordPress normally.
Method 1 – Use WordPress Manager
If WordPress Manager is available, this is usually the easiest method.
Open your browser and visit: https://cp.yourdomain.co.za
(Replace yourdomain.co.za with your own domain name.)
Enter your DirectAdmin username and password.
Click: Log In
Step 1 – Open WordPress Manager
Click: Extra Features
Then click: WordPress Manager by Softaculous
Locate your WordPress installation.
Click: Login
If WordPress loads successfully, continue with the next step.
Step 2 – Disable the Plugin
From the WordPress Dashboard
Click: Plugins
Then click: Installed Plugins
Locate the plugin that may be causing the problem.
Click: Deactivate
Visit your website again and check whether the issue has been resolved.
Method 2 – Disable Plugins Using File Manager
If you cannot access WordPress, you can disable plugins directly through DirectAdmin.
Open your browser and visit: https://cp.yourdomain.co.za
Enter your DirectAdmin username and password.
Click: Log In
Step 1 – Open File Manager
Click: System Info & Files
Then click: File Manager
Step 2 – Navigate to the Plugins Folder
Open: domains
Then open: yourdomain.co.za
Then open: public_html
Then open: wp-content
Then open: plugins
You will see a folder for each installed plugin.
Step 3 – Rename the Plugin Folder
Locate the plugin you wish to disable.
Example: wordfence
Rename it to: wordfence-disabled
WordPress will automatically deactivate the plugin because it can no longer find the plugin files.
Step 4 – Test the Website
Visit your website.
Also visit: https://yourdomain.co.za/wp-admin
If the website now loads correctly, the plugin was likely causing the issue.
Method 3 – Disable All Plugins
If you do not know which plugin is causing the problem:
Navigate to: domains → yourdomain.co.za → public_html → wp-content
Locate: plugins
Rename: plugins
to: plugins-disabled
This will disable all plugins simultaneously.
If the website starts working again, one of the plugins is causing the issue.
You can then reactivate plugins individually to identify the problematic plugin.
Common Causes of Plugin Problems
Plugin issues commonly occur after:
- Plugin updates
- WordPress updates
- Theme updates
- Installing new plugins
- Plugin conflicts
Identifying recent changes often helps locate the source of the problem.
Best Practices
To avoid plugin-related problems:
- Keep plugins updated.
- Remove unused plugins.
- Install plugins from reputable sources.
- Create backups before updates.
- Test major changes carefully.
When to Contact Support
Contact support if:
- Disabling plugins does not resolve the issue.
- Multiple websites are affected.
- The website displays server errors.
- You are unsure which plugin is causing the problem.
Provide details of any recent updates or plugin installations.
Conclusion
Plugin conflicts are one of the most common causes of WordPress problems.
By disabling plugins through WordPress Manager or File Manager, you can often identify and resolve the issue quickly without needing to reinstall WordPress.
