How to fix plugins disappearing from the WordPress dashboard

How to Fix Plugins Disappearing From WordPress Dashboard

As a WordPress site owner or administrator, you may occasionally encounter a frustrating issue where your plugins suddenly disappear from the WordPress dashboard. This problem can be alarming, especially if you rely on specific plugins for crucial website functionality. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the common causes of this issue and provide step-by-step solutions to help you restore your plugins and get your WordPress site back on track.

Understanding the Problem

Before we dive into the solutions, it’s important to understand what might cause plugins to disappear from your WordPress dashboard. Some common reasons include:

1. WordPress core updates
2. Plugin conflicts
3. Theme conflicts
4. Server issues
5. Malware or hacking attempts
6. Database corruption
7. PHP memory limit issues

Now, let’s explore the steps you can take to diagnose and fix this problem.

Step 1: Check Your Plugin Directory

The first thing you should do is verify if your plugins are still present in your WordPress installation:

1. Connect to your website via FTP or through your hosting provider’s file manager.
2. Navigate to the wp-content/plugins directory.
3. Check if your plugins’ folders are still there.

If the folders are present, the issue likely lies within WordPress itself. If they’re missing, you may need to reinstall your plugins.

Step 2: Increase PHP Memory Limit

Sometimes, insufficient PHP memory can cause plugins to disappear. To increase the PHP memory limit:

1. Access your wp-config.php file via FTP or file manager.
2. Add the following line of code just before the “That’s all, stop editing!” comment: define(‘WP_MEMORY_LIMIT’, ‘256M’);
3. Save the file and refresh your WordPress dashboard.

Step 3: Deactivate All Plugins

If increasing the memory limit doesn’t work, try deactivating all plugins:

1. Connect to your website via FTP.
2. Rename the plugins folder to “plugins_old”.
3. WordPress will automatically deactivate all plugins.
4. Log in to your WordPress dashboard and check if the Plugins menu is visible.
5. If it is, rename the folder back to “plugins” and reactivate your plugins one by one to identify any conflicts.

Step 4: Switch to a Default WordPress Theme

Theme conflicts can sometimes cause plugin issues. To rule this out:

1. Go to Appearance > Themes in your WordPress dashboard.
2. Activate a default WordPress theme like Twenty Twenty-One.
3. Check if your plugins reappear.

If they do, your previous theme may have been causing the issue. Consider contacting the theme developer for support or choosing a different theme.

Step 5: Check for Malware

Malware can sometimes cause plugins to disappear. Use a security plugin like Wordfence or Sucuri to scan your site for potential threats. If malware is detected, follow the plugin’s instructions to clean your site.

Step 6: Restore from a Backup

If you have a recent backup of your WordPress site, consider restoring it:

1. Download a full backup of your website files and database.
2. Create a new database on your hosting account.
3. Import the backup database into the new database.
4. Update the wp-config.php file with the new database details.
5. Upload the backup files to your server, overwriting the existing files.

This process can be complex, so if you’re not comfortable doing it yourself, consider seeking help from your hosting provider or a WordPress professional.

Step 7: Reinstall WordPress Core

If none of the above steps work, you may need to reinstall WordPress core files:

1. Download a fresh copy of WordPress from wordpress.org.
2. Extract the files on your local computer.
3. Delete the wp-admin and wp-includes folders from your server.
4. Upload the new wp-admin and wp-includes folders to your server.
5. Upload the individual files from the root directory of the fresh WordPress download to your server, overwriting the existing files. (Be careful not to overwrite your wp-config.php file or wp-content folder.)

Step 8: Check Database Permissions

Incorrect database permissions can sometimes cause plugin issues. Ensure that your WordPress database user has the necessary permissions:

1. Access your hosting control panel’s MySQL Databases section.
2. Locate your WordPress database and user.
3. Ensure the user has ALL PRIVILEGES or at least SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE permissions.

Step 9: Repair Database Tables

Database corruption can lead to various WordPress issues, including disappearing plugins. To repair your database:

1. Add the following line to your wp-config.php file: define(‘WP_ALLOW_REPAIR’, true);
2. Visit yourdomain.com/wp-admin/maint/repair.php in your browser.
3. Click “Repair Database” or “Repair and Optimize Database”.
4. Once the process is complete, remove the line you added to wp-config.php.

Step 10: Check Server Logs

If you’re still experiencing issues, check your server’s error logs for any relevant information:

1. Access your server logs through your hosting control panel or via FTP.
2. Look for any errors related to plugins or PHP.
3. If you find specific errors, search for solutions online or consult with your hosting provider.

Step 11: Verify File Permissions

Incorrect file permissions can cause various WordPress issues. Ensure your WordPress files and folders have the correct permissions:

• Folders: 755
• Files: 644

You can change permissions using your FTP client or hosting file manager.

Step 12: Disable WordPress Debug Mode

If WordPress is in debug mode, it may cause unexpected behavior. Check your wp-config.php file and ensure the following line is set to false:

define(‘WP_DEBUG’, false);

Step 13: Contact Your Hosting Provider

If you’ve tried all the above steps and are still experiencing issues, it’s time to reach out to your hosting provider. They may be able to identify server-specific issues or provide additional troubleshooting steps.

Preventing Future Issues

To minimize the risk of plugins disappearing in the future, consider implementing these best practices:

1. Keep WordPress core, themes, and plugins updated regularly.
2. Use reputable plugins from trusted sources.
3. Implement a regular backup schedule.
4. Monitor your site’s performance and security.
5. Use a staging environment to test updates before applying them to your live site.

Conclusion

Dealing with disappearing plugins in WordPress can be frustrating, but with the steps outlined in this guide, you should be able to diagnose and resolve the issue. Remember to approach the problem systematically, starting with the simplest solutions and working your way through more complex troubleshooting steps.

If you’re ever unsure about making changes to your WordPress site, don’t hesitate to seek help from a professional. The WordPress community is vast and supportive, with many experts willing to assist you in resolving technical issues.

By maintaining your WordPress site properly and staying vigilant about updates and security, you can minimize the likelihood of encountering plugin disappearance issues in the future. Keep your site healthy, and it will continue to serve you and your visitors well for years to come.