Plugin Issues

Deactivate All WordPress Plugins When Locked Out of Admin

June 4, 2026 4 mins read 14 views

Being locked out of your WordPress admin dashboard can be a stressful experience, especially when you’re not sure what’s causing the issue. One common reason for this lockout is a problematic plugin that’s preventing you from accessing the backend of your site. In such cases, deactivating all plugins can often resolve the issue, but how do you do that when you can’t even log in to your WordPress admin? In this article, we’ll explore the reasons behind this problem and provide you with step-by-step solutions to deactivate all plugins when locked out of your WordPress admin.

What Causes This Issue

There are several reasons why you might get locked out of your WordPress admin dashboard. Some common causes include plugin conflicts, corrupted files, incorrect file permissions, and issues with your theme. When a plugin is causing the problem, it’s often because it’s not compatible with another plugin or your theme, or because it’s not properly coded. In some cases, a plugin might be causing a fatal error that prevents you from accessing the admin dashboard.

Plugin Conflicts

Plugin conflicts occur when two or more plugins are trying to use the same function or hook, causing a conflict that can lead to a fatal error. This can happen when you’ve recently installed a new plugin or updated an existing one. To identify the problematic plugin, you can try to recall the last plugin you installed or updated before the issue occurred.

Corrupted Files

Corrupted files can also cause issues with your WordPress admin dashboard. This can happen due to a faulty upload, a hack, or a problem with your web hosting server. If you suspect that corrupted files are the cause of the issue, you may need to restore your site from a backup or manually repair the damaged files.

Step-by-Step Solutions

Now that we’ve explored some of the common causes of this issue, let’s dive into the step-by-step solutions to deactivate all plugins when locked out of your WordPress admin.

Method 1: Using FTP/SFTP

One way to deactivate all plugins is by using an FTP (File Transfer Protocol) or SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol) client. This method involves renaming the plugins folder, which will prevent WordPress from loading any plugins. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Connect to your website using an FTP or SFTP client.
  2. Navigate to the wp-content folder.
  3. Find the plugins folder and rename it to something like plugins_old.
  4. Try logging in to your WordPress admin dashboard again.

By renaming the plugins folder, you’re essentially deactivating all plugins. If you can log in to your admin dashboard after doing this, it’s likely that a plugin was causing the issue.

Method 2: Using PHPMyAdmin

Another way to deactivate all plugins is by using PHPMyAdmin, a tool provided by most web hosting companies. This method involves updating the active_plugins row in the wp_options table. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Log in to your PHPMyAdmin account.
  2. Select the database for your WordPress website.
  3. Find the wp_options table and click on it.
  4. Find the row with the option_name active_plugins and click on the Edit button.
  5. Update the option_value field to a:0:{} and click Go.

This will deactivate all plugins. You can then try logging in to your WordPress admin dashboard again.

Method 3: Using a Plugin Like WP-CLI

WP-CLI (WordPress Command Line Interface) is a powerful tool that allows you to manage your WordPress website from the command line. You can use WP-CLI to deactivate all plugins. Here’s how to do it:

wp plugin deactivate --all

This command will deactivate all plugins. You can then try logging in to your WordPress admin dashboard again.

Prevention Tips

To avoid getting locked out of your WordPress admin dashboard in the future, here are some prevention tips:

  • Always test new plugins on a staging site before installing them on your live site.
  • Keep your plugins and theme up to date to ensure compatibility and security.
  • Use a reliable backup plugin to ensure you can restore your site in case something goes wrong.
  • Avoid using too many plugins, as this can increase the risk of conflicts and errors.

Conclusion

In conclusion, getting locked out of your WordPress admin dashboard can be a frustrating experience, but it’s often caused by a problematic plugin. By using one of the methods outlined in this article, you should be able to deactivate all plugins and regain access to your admin dashboard. Remember to always test new plugins on a staging site, keep your plugins and theme up to date, and use a reliable backup plugin to ensure you can restore your site in case something goes wrong. By following these tips, you can minimize the risk of getting locked out of your WordPress admin dashboard and ensure your website remains secure and stable.

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