---
title: "Disable a WordPress plugin from the File Manager"
url: "https://inleed.com/helpcenter/disable-wordpress-plugin"
language: "en"
updated: "2026-11-06"
category: "WordPress"
type: "guide"
---

# Disable a WordPress plugin from the File Manager

If you can’t get into WordPress after an update, a plugin may be the cause. Turn it off by renaming its folder.

## How to disable it

1. Log in to [DirectAdmin](https://inleed.com/helpcenter/log-in-to-directadmin) and open **File Manager**.

2. Go to **domains** › `yourdomain.com` › `public_html` › `wp-content` › `plugins`.

3. Select the plugin’s folder and choose **Rename**.

4. Add this text `_deactivated` to the end of the name.

5. Reload the website.

   If it works now, that plugin caused the error.

## How to know it worked

WordPress starts without the plugin.

## Good to know

- Don’t know which plugin it is? Rename the whole `plugins` folder. Then change it back and deactivate one plugin at a time inside WordPress.
- The same works for a theme, in the `wp-content` › `themes` folder.
- Inleed’s support doesn’t help with WordPress plugins and themes. Contact the plugin’s developer.

## Related guides

- [WordPress shows a critical error or a blank page](https://inleed.com/helpcenter/wordpress-critical-error)
- [View your website’s error log](https://inleed.com/helpcenter/view-error-log)