Uninstalling WordPress from cPanel is a straightforward process. Whether you want to remove an unused website or start fresh with a new installation, this guide will walk you through the step-by-step process of uninstalling WordPress from cPanel.
Why Uninstall WordPress?
You may need to uninstall WordPress for several reasons:
- Starting fresh with a new installation
- Removing an outdated or unused site
- Freeing up hosting resources
- Fixing website issues by reinstalling WordPress
Prerequisites
Before proceeding with the uninstallation, ensure you have:
- Access to your cPanel account
- A backup of your website if needed
- Credentials to access Softaculous or File Manager
Step 1: Log in to Your cPanel
- Open your browser and go to https://your-hosting-provider.com/cpanel.
- Enter your cPanel username and password.
- Click Login to access your cPanel dashboard.
Step 2: Locate Softaculous App Installer
- Scroll down to the Software section.
- Click on Softaculous Apps Installer.
- Navigate to the WordPress Installations page.
- Locate the WordPress site you want to remove.
Step 3: Remove WordPress via Softaculous
- Find your installed WordPress site in the list.
- Click on the Remove or Uninstall button.
- Select all options to remove files, databases, and user accounts associated with the installation.
- Confirm the uninstallation by clicking Remove Installation.
- Wait for the process to complete and verify that WordPress has been deleted.
Note: If you don’t see Softaculous, you can manually uninstall WordPress via File Manager and MySQL Databases.
Step 4: Delete WordPress Files Manually (Optional)
If you prefer to remove WordPress manually, follow these steps:
✅ Delete Files via File Manager
- In cPanel, navigate to File Manager under the Files section.
- Open the public_html folder (or the subdirectory where WordPress is installed).
- Select all WordPress files and click Delete.
✅ Remove the WordPress Database
- In cPanel, go to MySQL Databases under the Databases section.
- Find the WordPress database and click Delete.
- Go to MySQL Users, locate the user linked to the database, and delete it.
Step 5: Verify WordPress Has Been Removed
- Try accessing your website URL; it should no longer load WordPress.
- Check File Manager to ensure all files have been removed.
- Confirm that the database no longer exists in MySQL Databases.
Step 6: Clear Any Leftover Data (Optional)
- Remove Unused Subdomains: If WordPress was installed on a subdomain, remove it in cPanel.
- Check Cron Jobs: Navigate to Cron Jobs in cPanel and delete any scheduled WordPress tasks.
- Clear Browser Cache: If the website still appears, clear your browser cache or use an incognito window.
Conclusion
Uninstalling WordPress from cPanel is quick and easy using Softaculous or manual methods. If you plan to reinstall WordPress, ensure you have a fresh database and files. Always back up your site before making major changes.
If you encounter any issues, contact your hosting provider for assistance.