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Manage plugins in WordPress

Learn how to enable, update, and delete plugins for your WordPress site.

Article ID: SLN29439

Plugins extend the basic functionality of WordPress. When you activate WordPress, there will be a set of default plugins enabled. Learn more about the default plugins.

Jump to:

Manage plugins through the WordPress dashboard 

Install plugins

  1. Sign in to your WordPress dashboard.

  2. Mouse over Plugins, then select Add New.
    The Plugins and Add New links.

  3. Search for plugins:

    • Featured, Popular, Recommended, or Favorites categories.
      Featured, Popular, Recommended, or Favorites categories.

    • Enter search terms based on Keyword, Author, or Tag.
      Search terms are based on Keyword, Author, or Tag.
      Note: You can also manually install plugins. Learn more.

  4. Once you have found the desired plugin, click the More Details link to learn more about the plugin. Click the Install Now button to install it.
    The More Details link and Install Now button.

  5. After the plugin has been installed, click the Activate Plugin button to activate it.
    The Activate Plugin button.

Uninstall plugins

  1. Sign in to your WordPress dashboard.

  2. Mouse over Plugins then select Installed Plugins
    The Plugins and Installed Plugins links.

  3. On the Plugins page, find the plugin you wish to turn off, then click the Deactivate link.
    The Deactivate link.

  4. Once deactivated, you may also choose to delete the plugin entirely by clicking the Delete link. 

Update plugins

You will be notified if there are any WordPress updates available. When you sign in to your dashboard, the number of updates will be displayed next to the Updates link. Update notifications can be for plugins, themes, or if an updated version of WordPress is available.

  1. Sign in to your WordPress dashboard.

  2. Click Updates.
    The Updates link.

  3. In the Plugins section on the WordPress Updates page:

    • Click the View version details links to view details about the updates. Note: It's very important to view details of the update and check its compatibility with your version of WordPress.

    • Select which plugins you wish to update by selecting an individual plugin or by selecting Select All.

    • Click the Update Plugins button.

    The  Plugins section on the WordPress Updates page.

Note: You can also update plugins and view update details on the Plugins page.
Updating a plugin on the Plugins page.

Manage plugins using the cPanel interface

If you have cPanel as part of your Turbify hosting plan, you can also manage your plugins straight from the cPanel interface. 

Install plugins

  1. Sign in to your My Services page.

  2. Click the Hosting link.

  3. Click the WordPress Management link on the left toolbar. Note: WordPress Management is not available for the WordPress Essentials Hosting plan.  

  4. Click the Plugins tab for the selected site you wish to update. 
    WordPress Toolkit Plugins.

  5. Click the + Install button to open the installation modal. 
    Plugin Install Button.

  6. From here, we recommend using the Search bar to find your desired plugin (you can upload a plugin or browse as well).  
    Plugin Search.

    • As you search, the results will auto-populate results for you to choose from.

    • You can also use the Filter menu to search for only plugins compatible with your WordPress version, as well as other criteria.

    • To read more about a plugin prior to installation, simply click the Details link associated with the plugin.

  7. Once you've decided on a plugin, click the Install button next to the name of the plugin you want. 
    Plugin Install Button.

    • The button should then change to say "Installing" and will update to "Installed" with a green check when the installation is finished.
      Plugin Installed.

  8. When you're done installing your new plugin(s), click the gray X to exit the plugin installation menu. You should then see that your new plugin(s) is listed and should be set to Active automatically.

Deactivate plugins 

Deactivating a WordPress plugin disables it from your WordPress site, but does not delete the plugin entirely. If you wish to completely remove/delete the plugin, use the steps below to do so. 

  1. Sign in to your My Services page.

  2. Click the Hosting link.

  3. Click the WordPress Management link on the left toolbar. Note: WordPress Management is not available for the WordPress Essentials Hosting plan. 

  4. Click the Plugins tab for the selected site you wish to edit. 
    WordPress Toolkit Plugins.

    • The Plugins tab will show all plugins currently installed (both active and deactivated).

  5. Locate the plugin you wish to deactivate. Under the Active menu, click the toggle to deactivate the plugin (active plugins are blue; deactivated will show as gray). WordPress Toolkit Active Plugins.

    • You can activate plugins through this same method, by simply clicking the toggle to set a plugin to Active.

  6. Confirm that the plugin is deactivated by ensuring the toggle is now gray in color. 

Remove plugins 

  1. Sign in to your My Services page.

  2. Click the Hosting link.

  3. Click the WordPress Management link on the left toolbar. Note: WordPress Management is not available for the WordPress Essentials Hosting plan. 

  4. Click the Plugins tab for the selected site you wish to edit. 
    WordPress Toolkit Plugins.

    • The Plugins tab will show all plugins currently installed (both active and deactivated).

  5. Locate the plugin(s) you wish to remove from the list and check the box to the left. 
    Remove Plugin Check.

  6. Once checked, click the X Remove button to completely remove the plugin. 
    Remove Plugin Button.

  7. A modal will open asking you to confirm the removal of the plugin. Click Yes within the modal.
    Plugin Remove Confirmation Button.

    • The plugin will be removed and no longer display in the list. 

Update plugins manually 

This option will allow you to individually update your WordPress plugins manually. If you have an update available for one of your plugins, you will see an Updates link to the right of the plugin. We recommend keeping your plugins updated to avoid security vulnerabilities and ensure optimal performance. 

  1. Sign in to your My Services page.

  2. Click the Hosting link.

  3. Click the WordPress Management link on the left toolbar. Note: WordPress Management is not available for the WordPress Essentials Hosting plan. 

  4. Click the Plugins tab for the selected site you wish to update. 
    WordPress Toolkit Plugins.

    • The Plugins tab will show all plugins currently installed (both active and deactivated).

  5. Scroll through your plugins to identify the ones showing Updates. Click the Updates link for the plugins you wish to update.
    Plugins Update Link.

    • If you decide you no longer want to manage updates manually, you can toggle the Autoupdate for your plugins to have it taken care of as updates become available (recommended).
      Plugins Autoupdater Toggle.

Autoupdate plugins 

This feature is recommended to ensure your plugins don't fall out of date or open your site to security vulnerabilities. 

  1. Sign in to your My Services page.

  2. Click the Hosting link.

  3. Click the WordPress Management link on the left toolbar. Note: WordPress Management is not available for the WordPress Essentials Hosting plan. 

  4. Click the Plugins tab for the selected site you wish to update. 
    WordPress Toolkit Plugins.

    • The Plugins tab will show all plugins currently installed (both active and deactivated).

  5. From here, you can either activate Autoupdate for all plugins by clicking the Autoupdate all plugins toggle or activating the Autoupdate toggles for individual plugins.
    Plugins Autoupdate Toggle.

Learn how to troubleshoot WordPress plugin issues.

Go back to the WordPress Index.