Sometimes a plugin has to go. Maybe you've stopped using it, or maybe it's misbehaving and you want a clean copy of the files on your site. You can do either one straight from your dashboard — no file access needed.

## Before you start

- An administrator account on your site — only administrators can manage plugins.
- For a reinstall: the plugin's `.zip` file, downloaded from its page in the WordPress Plugin Directory.
- A backup of your site, in case you want to undo something later.

## Steps

### Step 1: Turn the plugin off

Open **Plugins** in your dashboard and find the plugin in the list. Click **Deactivate** under its name to switch it off.

![Turn the plugin off](https://wordpress.supportpages.io/rails/active_storage/blobs/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6MTA1ODYsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--b59316c9b14eafbf7b2823ddc4fdb8020d90765b/block_remove-a-plugin.png)

### Step 2: Delete its files

Once a plugin is switched off, a **Delete** link appears under its name. Click it to remove the plugin's files from your site.

![Delete its files](https://wordpress.supportpages.io/rails/active_storage/blobs/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6MTA1ODcsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--8d40697916e208fdae731e1c70807bd254cf6135/block_delete-the-files.png)

### Step 3: Confirm the deletion

WordPress asks you to confirm before it removes anything. Click **Yes, delete these files and data** and the plugin is gone.

![Confirm the deletion](https://wordpress.supportpages.io/rails/active_storage/blobs/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6MTA1OTAsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--d2a38c41b4452c2ee623fce136d7d64e982287ee/block_confirm-the-deletion.png)

### Step 4: Open the plugin uploader

To put clean files back, click **Add Plugin** on the Plugins screen. On the next screen, click **Upload Plugin**.

![Open the plugin uploader](https://wordpress.supportpages.io/rails/active_storage/blobs/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6MTA1OTEsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--c267249b28856cec5c28c23e7e8f31c2f7fc219c/block_open-the-uploader.png)

### Step 5: Upload the plugin file

Choose the plugin's `.zip` file, then click **Install Now**.

![Upload the plugin file](https://wordpress.supportpages.io/rails/active_storage/blobs/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6MTA1OTIsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--556b75a18044e2b9b239daa2fc809d482df8fe23/block_upload-the-plugin-file.png)

### Step 6: Replace the current version

Because that plugin is already installed, WordPress shows you the current and uploaded versions side by side. Click **Replace current with uploaded** to write the new files over the old ones.

![Replace the current version](https://wordpress.supportpages.io/rails/active_storage/blobs/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6MTA1NTEsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--18b12610f8794b40e93deeace090251ee241d568/block_replace-the-current-version.png)

## Tips

- **Deactivate** only switches a plugin off — it stays in the list and you can turn it back on any time. **Delete** is what actually removes the files.
- Deleting and reinstalling is a quick fix when a plugin update breaks your site: remove it, then upload the working version over the top.
- Your plugin settings live in your site's database, so replacing the files keeps them. Deleting a plugin that stores data removes that data too, and the confirmation screen tells you when that's the case.

## Summary

Deactivate and delete a plugin you're finished with, or upload a fresh copy over the top when you just need clean files. Both take a couple of clicks and save you from touching your site's files by hand.